pickupthepacepaul

On the eve of London Marathon I’m reflecting on what has come before, and what is to come tomorrow. Tomorrow will not just be another London Marathon, with 889 days separating tomorrow with the last in person event in 2019 it will be a special day indeed. Not only that it is finally the inaugural AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.

Over the last decade I have been part of this fantastic event 8 times in person and last year, in the Virtual race. So many happy experiences, I cannot begin to tell you them all. Running as a Rhino in my first ever marathon, getting my PB in 2013 (my only ever ballot success), and of course pacing thousands of people on the #funbus.

On the #Funbus I have been fortunate enough to share so many of your stories. Hearing so many stories of why people are running London, and how much it means to them. I have also shared many PB’s, some that have not been broken for decades. For me that is what London Marathon is all about, sharing it with those around you, it is far more than a marathon, it’s an incredible experience.

If you haven’t already, check out one of my running friends, Marcus Brown, new movie. #Thisisourlondon is what I love about London. I love sharing stories and hearing from others, so this is a great watch.

With there not being pacers this year, I can’t lead the #funbus so it will be a little different for me. It is an opportunity I have been putting off for many years. Whilst I have been helping people hit their goals, I’ve been getting further away from my own, which I am happy with. But I do want to go to Boston, and for that I will need to qualify, and that means a sub 3 is needed. I don’t feel particularly ready, and the last 3 months have been stressful for me, meaning I haven’t had the needed motivation to put the work in, but that doesn’t stop me trying.

I will be looking with interest at how the inaugural AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships go. As this year it is held at the London Marathon 2021. The AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships ready to race through London, and as 4,200 Age Group runners from 82 countries, I am looking forward to joining them. At the moment I am not old enough to join in (it starts at 40), but when I am I hope to qualify and take part.

So that’s my story. I will be running my 9th in person London Marathon, and collecting my 10th medal. This time its for me, and I would be ecstatic to hold on to a sub 3, but who knows. I hope to return to the #funbus next year. But what’s your story???