Thanks everyone for all your best wishes. I was hoping to be posting on here after the race elated after completing my first marathon but c'est la vie it wasn't to be.... this time!
But congratulations to Kenny, Charlie, Donald and Lisa who completed the race extremely well in hot and humid conditions and especially to the boys that did amazingly well to get PBs - WOW! I am in AWE! Brief race report (photos to come shortly) from chief spectator and CRC roadie for the weekend Stuart McGleachie
Oh I'm glad to be smiling (kind of) again. I do feel as if I've let people down especially myself I know everyone has been so kind about it but I can't help beating myself up a bit about it with 'what if's' as I've really put all my efforts into the training over the past 5 months. I'll get over it eventually but at the moment it bleeding hurts! However, it really was a scary scary experience that I never want to repeat but I'm glad to be here to tell the tale but I can't begin to tell you how gutted I am and disappointed for getting so close (just before the 23rd mile I think) before collapsing with heatstroke. I was loving every minute of it beforehand, doing a good steady pace just under 9 minute miles, waving and smiling at the awesome crowds and taking in the fantastic London scenery. It was very hot so I took on more water and lucozade than planned but probably still not enough on reflection then after 22 miles I have no memory.
I've never been ill or even fainted in my life so to be unconscious and then wake up not knowing where I was with an oxygen mask on, drip in my arm and medics all around was just a horrible experience. I'll not go into all the gory details but I never realised heatstroke was so severe or dangerous. I am so grateful St John's ambulance crew were on hand to deal with me immediately and managed to get my temperature lowered from 42 degrees back down to 39 in less than an hour.
Anyway, dramatics over I just wanted to post to let yous all know that I am feeling so much better after a few days rest and making a good recovery. I am now holding down fluids and eating again which is a good sign
I hope to be back to training soon so that the 'fear' doesn't get the better of me.
Thank you to everyone for the get well wishes, flowers and messages of support - you have all been amazing and I am proud to at least say that even though I never managed to get to the full 26.2 miles I still managed to realise one of my targets and raised over £1000 for Charity, many many thanks.