I have already given you my emotive, stride-by-stride race report of the London Marathon. You know where my head, heart and lungs were at during the marathon, but here are the bullets of my final thoughts. What would I have done differently, what did I learn, what did I enjoy?
THE GOOD
- Prestige of running a World Majors course
- Cache of running a desirable marathon
- I set a PR
- I ran a negative split
THE BAD
- The course was way too crowded to be able to run my best race. I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
- The heat wore me down in the later miles
- The tangents are a challenge; surrmountable on a sparsely populated course but non-negotiable on a crowded one
THE UGLY
- The costumes & the cheering crowds, for me, were annoyances and distractions
- Race tee-shirt and medal pretty lame; not enough sports drinks offered on the course; poor mobile tracking of runners for spectators.
- I didn’t hit my A Goal (to average 8:34’s and to Boston Qualify by running under 3:45).
- I ran nearly an extra four-tenths of a mile.
LESSONS
- Stay Cool, Chica. The crowding definitely frustrated me, and I am pretty sure my frustration drained some of the energy I could have used for running in the later miles.
- Mother [Nature] Knows Best. Weather will affect my performance. Manage it (hydration, proper dress, etc) as best I can and accept the effects.
- Strong Like Bull. I’m as tough as I think I am, but tougher than I believe I am. I’m excited to see what I can deliver next; I can be stronger (greater endurance) and faster–I know it.
RECOMENDATIONS
- Be a tourist runner. Unless the race organizers switch to wave starts, there is no way this course crowding will improve. Expect to be hindered by your peers on the course, and don’t worry about it.
- Carry the bottle of Lucozade with you even if you’re done with it for the moment; there won’t be another chance to get another for 5 more miles.
- Study the course map and learn about the neighborhoods beforehand to appreciate where you’re running.
FINAL TALLY
- LDN: 3 / NYC: 7
(based on these haphazard criteria: website/emails; pre-race city support, ease of getting to the start; ease of passage along the course; fuel stations; characteristics of the general field of runners; finisher tee; post-race media coverage)
Pigtails Flying 
God TK you are SUCH a whiner!
u r 1/2 Ukranian, you must be STRONG LIKE BULL!!
as well as FULL of BULL!
Oh Husband. Aren’t we both.
I’m not the latter
just saw your time! congrats!
Do you two want to go to the Mets on Friday?
YES but I can’t. We’re headed to PA Friday night. *Le Sigh.*
Delurking to tell you what an inspiration your blog has been for me. I’m running my first marathon (nyc – hello 9+) this year after a couple of years of running 1/2’s and your blog couldn’t have been discovered at a better time in my journey. I can see why you have so many readers – you write beautifully. Thanks.
Well Stacy WELCOME! This made my day. I am so glad you enjoy what I write. Are you on Twitter? If so please follow me @pigtailsflying and I will follow you back. I hope you have read my race report from the New York City marathon — November 2008. It’s a doozy in 3 parts!
Amazing recap for an amazing race! Congrats on your PR again, TK! Woohoo, way to go!
Yes, a World Major Marathon will always be crowded with lots of runners, and spectators and many others who’s major goal is NOT running a good time. Given that, you set a major PR so I think it is only a matter of time before you get those six minutes and punch your ticket to Boston!
Thanks again for your “gift”! You’re awesome and are a beautiful writer!