Dawn Bradley
Personal Development Consultant

Helping You to Improve Your Life

 


 

 

London Marathon    

Sunday 13th April 2008

The power of the mind continues to amaze me!

Having trained for 6 months, my fitness level certainly helped on the day, however it was my mental training that got me through the pain barrier and all the way to the finish line.

Just before the 16 mile marker, with more than 10 miles still to run, my legs felt like they had been set in cement. Hopping to the side of the road for a quick stretch didn't seem to make much difference, and the voice in my head encouraged me to hit the road again.

At 20 miles I had promised my body a one minute walk, and I kept my word. 

Each time I felt a grimace on my face it reminded me that I was running the London Marathon. That then made me smile from ear to ear!

When the second downpour of rain (and hailstones) arrived just after the 22 mile point, my body was cold and wet through. I had been running for about 4 hours and my body had been hurting for nearly 2 hours. Aching knees do not appreciate cold rain...! 
Seeing my friends Caroline, Rosie, Isobel and Sue standing in the rain, waiting for me to pass them, gave me another boost. 
With rain dripping off my baseball cap, I ran on, telling myself that running was the only option.

Then a truly magical thing happened. At the 24 mile point another inspirational song started playing on my mp3 player; Proud by Heather Small. It was the most amazing boost of the day. I was suddenly in the zone, almost detached from my physical body. 
I kept repeating the song, and I felt myself cruising along Embankment, looking at the London Eye, Cleopatra's Needle and Big Ben. 
I felt my legs speed up and my body relax.

Buckingham Palace was a blur as my focus was now to look out for my Mum and nephew Jack in the grandstands. Waving to them as I passed, my whole body was smiling at the thought of completing this once-in-a-lifetime challenge.

I crossed the finish line 4 hours and 48 minutes after I had started, feeling very proud of myself.

You can make a difference to the lives of Visually Impaired Children 
by sponsoring Dawn to run the London Marathon on 13th April 2008



        

          

"What have you done today to make you feel proud?"

 

 

 
Dawn Bradley, Personal Development Consultant Email: dawn@healyourlife.co.uk Phone: 0118 940 3009