We arrived in Birmingham at 9.45 and it was already blazing hot. By the time the race started it was 28 degrees,and it certainly felt like it. I still haven't worked out a brilliant way of carrying water and the flag, so drank 3 bottles before I started and hoped that would get me through.
The first half K was a real pain as there were a lot of walkers and I couldn't unfurl the flag for fear of poking anyone's eye out. I eventually found a space, and found that if I lifted it up as I passed people, I could have it out without getting in anyone's way. Someone called out "What does the flag say?" I called back "Peace" and got running. I tried my "war in-peace out" mantra, which was semi successful, for the first bit. It was much harder to concentrate on breathing like that when there were so many people walking or taking breaks, so that I had to keep overtaking before finding enough space to run in. I finally got a rhythm at the turning point, by which time I had a couple of positive comments. Due to the heat, I decided not to worry about my speed but concentrated on just getting round, and I found passing the flag from hand to hand, helped it not weigh me down (The lack of wind was also helpful, I took it out the other day when the wind was high and it was much harder work!)
By the last 2K I found myself being overtaken constantly but I didn't care as I felt really good running and knew that if I just kept going I could get to the finish. Someone walking on the outward bound journey, called out "Good for you" when she saw my flag, and again, I had some positive responses from bystanders. As we reached the underpass with 0.5 K to go, the organisers encouraged us to cheer, so I called out "Stop the arms trade" and received a couple of supportive shouts behind me. I did it again as we emerged into the sunshine, and the same women called out too. Just before the end I was looking out for Chris, my husband, and our 3 children. I thought they might not have found a space because of the crowds, when suddenly I saw them, the girls shouting "go mummy" and Chris smiling and taking a picture (enclosed, unfortunately a bit dark). And then it was the finish line, I chanted "Stop the arms trade" a few times and was pleasantly surprised that my time was 34 mins 29secs, which is a good time for me anyway, and I thought I had run a lot slower than that. I wrapped the flag around me and trotted off for some water and a reunion with Chris and the children. And then we went off for a post run and happy birthday Chris lunch (pretty noble of him to get up early on his birthday, drive for an hour and then look after the kids!)
So all in all a good experience, a prayer for peace, a fundraising and an awareness raising exercise. I was wondering whether running a marathon with the flag might be over ambitious, & it may well be, but I am at this point, still hoping it will be possible.
Love and peace
Virginia