Anne Steele Arnetts London Marathon
Published 16:23 on 29 Apr 2025
Wife of club member, Brian Arnett, Anne ran a fabulous London Marathon on Sunday April 27 while fundraising an amazing £3,495 (and counting) for Teignmouth RNLI. Anne tells her own story below:
To give a brief resume, the 2025 London Marathon for me was also a great experience. As you know, I've been running since January 2024 (I joined Parkrun which was great so have gone from Couch to 5k to Couch to 42.1k) and also ran with 6 week's notice in the 2024 London Marathon! I'd not run 10 miles at that point but had followed a basic marathon plan from Dec 2023 just to get fit after a hand operation which meant that I couldn't play golf for 6 months.
Having learned from my experience from last year, this year I felt great at the start line with no nerves and enjoying the chat of other charity runners and their experiences to date. I'd laid out my gear several times at home and planned my nutritional gels and electrolytes several times using one brand that is ok for my insides. It all felt so good until we left the hotel bedroom and I realised that I hadn't got my soft gel flask. Panic as when we got to the room, I couldn't find it quickly either!
However, there it was laying underneath a small plastic sheet (plan B for sitting on damp grass!) which of course, I didn't need. Panic over. I skipped to the start line when called and felt fantastic at the off, then at 5 miles, then 10, kept to my running and nutrition planning. It was hot to be sure, so hydrated regularly. I used a magic cloth over my head secured by my sun-visor to keep the sun off my head. 2 positives here - sun cover for my head and wiping perspiration off my neck!
Miles 10 - 18 was going well and to plan when I suddenly had an attack of severe cramp in my left leg. It was like being hit by a bolt of electricity and Marshalls thought I may need a medic. 'I'm ok thanks' and did what my sports massage help has told me to do and ran on until I got my proper pace back in play. I was a bit behind time wise where I wanted to be but given the heat, thought that was ok. I got from mile 18 to 25 thinking this is a struggle spasm wise but if I can going it will be ok. However, at mile 26.01, my legs just vanished beneath me. I was so shocked as it happened so quickly. One minute I was running and the next, bang, I was on the ground! Incredibly, two runners came to me immediately, asked if I needed a medic or a 999 and at the time I wasn't sure what I answered other than something unprintable, and very probably unlady like! They both said together, although they didn't know each other either, 'we'll do this together' and my response was 'no, just run and get your timings in'. They insisted, scooped me up and walked with me until I had some feeling back in my feet first and then my legs. We chatted and I said that I wanted to go through the Finish line on my own even if I crawled! At 100 metres they reluctantly let me go with them both at 'grabbing an arm's length just in case' and off I went to finish on my own. If that isn't brilliance in kindness and generosity of spirit I don't know what is! Once over the Finish line they propelled me to the medics who were waiting.
My Strava watch stopped at exactly 26.01 miles when I was running at 5hrs and 35 minutes! I was thinking with the heat and my Strava prediction of timing that I could possibly achieve 5 hrs 8m so I was predicting 5hrs 15/30 mins. I finished with 6hrs 3 mins and 47 secs and was grateful for those two kind and generous souls, Pete and Kat, who lost 25 minutes of possible PB time in supporting me. Friends for life in the running world - I am in contact with them both!
It's like boating - if someone, somewhere in your vicinity needs help, you communicate and see what you can do to positively support. What great community spirits there are in each of our disciplines!
And there's still time to contribute, just follow this link to Anne's JustGiving page - click here
Last updated 14:37 on 2 May 2025
