PACE

I made RunDemCrew part of my weekly routine in November 2012 and luckily the Mayans apocalypse theory didn’t strike otherwise I would’ve definitely been kicking myself in the next life for joining so late. Rundem is amazingly therapeutic for me- the positive energy from everyone radiates through the 1948 building every Tuesday that combined with the runs through the city help to lift prevailing woes as well allowing me to reflect on where i’m at mentally and otherwise. In my early (hare/greyhound) days the casual conversations of 10k’s, half marathons and marathons used to crop up to which I used to congratulate the bravery while casually changing the topic of conversation because it didn’t even cross my mind that i’d be involved in any of that ‘silliness’.

Fast forward a few weeks to one December housekeeping when Charlie lets us know that marathon places have come up for under 25s and the youngers project. He turns to me… before he had time to say my name, ‘No bruv’ fitted with an ‘are you crazy’ facial expression… Similar exchanges were had in the week or two following, reason being the marathon was somewhere in the far cloudy distance and it seemed impossible to envision myself venturing anywhere close. Saying that, the idea then started to drift in and out my thoughts throughout the week- there was some deliberating, a lot of self-questioning and some egging on from my younger, faster brother. I agreed the following week in front of Charlie and a room full of wide eyed crew members- ‘go on then i’ll do it’- que the applause and a feeling of disbelief in what i’d just verbally signed up for.

January 2013, marked the start of the new regime and lifestyle for myself and the other ‘Run Dem Crew Youngers’, there was 4 months to prepare and condition for 26.2 miles :-0. The average training week consisted of a Tuesday RDC session (6miles), a Sunday solo run (starting from 10miles and reaching 19miles by April) and when I could make it a Thursday speed orientated track session, a couple solo runs were also thrown in. The training meant getting up and doing something I would usually laugh at even the thought of, turn-over go back to sleep and dream about being in Amsterdam or on a beach.

One of the first tasks Charlie & Mark Gurney asked of us was to dig deep and think about the reasons we decided to run the marathon and what it would mean to us to finish it. It was solely this process that made me adopt a second nature attitude of dedication to this endeavour. As a lot of us have, i’ve gone through some highs and lows in the wheel of life, with ‘failure’ being a fairly reoccurring stigma when touching on the looming subject of future prospects. From School age dreams built and dismantled to leaving University without a degree, various episodes of depression and battles with loosing and finding my identity. At times I seemed to suffer from wanting the whole cake and eating it, wanting the best of every world, which on reflection makes me the rounded person I am today. But I was out to prove to myself that I could focus in, delegate my time and energy positively and achieve a goal that holds personal significance. Life’s congestion, mental tiredness and crazy parties finishing a few hours before a planned run were not enough to stop me training. Taking on the marathon was for me a much needed opportunity to up my game because if I could dedicate myself to the pursuit of running long distances then there’s no reason why the same ethos couldn’t be taken forward in other aspects of life to fulfil passions.

With the basis of why I was embarking on this pursuit realised it wasn’t long before running spoke for itself, I developed an understanding, a respect and a growing love for the sport. The training had a positive effect on my day-to-day life; I was feeling more motivated and energetic; mentally and physically fitter; and generally happier. Also running with members of RDC (especially on the long runs) made it really easy and so much more enjoyable than a solo run (massive thanks to everyone who joined me on a weekend run, you are amazing & big shout to Charlie & Mark for the endless tips- I literally couldn’t have got through all those miles without you all). In March I took part in the Paris Half Marathon as part of the crew, the experience was unforgettable. With running as the excuse I was inspired on so many levels: through exploring the city; becoming further acquainted with crew members, now friends; by reveling in the Rundem style parties and to my surprise the race itself. 
In the week or two leading up to the race the endlessly asked question ‘are you ready for it?’ was answered with a shrug and ‘I hope so’, didn’t know for sure but up until then I hadn’t had any major problems in training apart from reoccurring shin splints so I was looking forward to the day and quietly confident.

RACE Day

I woke up impulsively early feeling in high spirits, got ready and made my way to Greenwich to meet the rest of the team (Charlie, Henry, Venetia, Danielle, Eliza and Katy) for 8.30am. On route I tuned in to BBC Radio1 just in time to catch myself and Venetias interview on the marathon (which came following a write-up on the Youngers project by the Independent newspaper) serving as another reminder of the enormity of the event we were part of and how widely loved it is throughout the nation. Meeting everyone really helped soothe the slight nerves and speed up the wait as we had a laugh and shared mutual feelings, thoughts and excitements of what was happening around us. We stayed together through bag drop offs; final toilet stop; climbing through a hole in the fence to join the other runners inside the start pen; took pre-race photos and performed Rundems classic ‘AWAY AWAY AWAY’ ritual which lifted spirits. We were off making our way to the start line waving gunfingers towards any big cameras.

I crossed the start line looked to my right at Charlie and said something like ‘Bruv we’re actually running the London Marathon, this is crazy’. It was great to have Charlie pacing me through the race because not only is he an experienced runner but he’s a friend and a huge inspiration. I knew I was in safe hands and definitely wasn’t gonna get bored. It took me some time to size up the task at hand; I wasn’t used to running in such congestion and found it quite claustrophobic especially in the latter more tiresome miles. Never the less I embraced the moment, took in the crowds, was high fiving people and enjoying it. I found my groove after about mile 3 and conversation with Charlie made a good few South London miles skip by without much notice. We saw some Cheerdem crew people spread out along the way and their energy was much appreciated because South was a lot of unfamiliar territory for me being from East.

All was running smoothly as we bumped into fellow RDC badboy Beefy just before Tower Bridge. Crossing over was an inspiring and memorable moment for me because we were home, greeted by an electric atmosphere and beautiful view. Many Rundem sessions have gone through the area and i’ve lived a 15minutes walk away my entire life. We pass through Shadwell even closer to where I live and also the spot I’ve watched the marathon various times in the past, admiring the runners swearing that ‘One day, i’ll be there…’ Well the day was there and then, a lot sooner than I’d imagined, I always thought i’d be over 30 for some reason. We strode along past mile 15 both mentioning that we were feeling good. We passed through Wapping and up through Isle of Dogs where there were loads of RDC signs posted up planting smiles on our faces and reminding us that we weren’t too far from mile 21.

The Marathon was ready to show me what it was really about- Mile 18- South Quays/Canary Wharf-Shit got real. Things started to happen that I hadn’t experienced in training, I felt some tightness in my legs and some niggles were creeping in whch very quickly turned into deep sharp pains in my quadriceps. I shouted to Charlie that I had to stretch so we jumped to the pavement and did just that, the pain was intense I couldn’t stop swearing. We headed off again but the more pressure going through my legs the more unbearable the pain became, I had to surrender at the Physio stop. This was a major disappointment to me because everything was going well up until this point and we were heading for sub 4hour time which I was hoping for. I took a seat reluctantly and looked down, both of my quadricep muscles had seized up out of my leg and I could see them spasming. It felt like a piranha was swimming inside my legs feasting on muscle, I was close to tears. The physio was calming and got to work with the massage, I sat there through the pain and tried to listen to Charlies motivational talking, the physios questions and contemplate what this all meant. I couldn’t think straight but I did know that I’d be getting up and going again. The physio concluded that it was happening because I was dehydrated, which leads to rapid lactic acid build-up.

From there on in it was a real uphill battle of massage and stretch stops, walking and awkwardly trying to run. The pain was there to stay and proceeded to move across almost every different muscle in my legs throughout the entire race. As well as this I began to feel pretty light-headed and was struggling to focus clearly. I saw my Mum at Canary Wharf which was a relief, we stopped lots of love was exchanged and we kept moving. Then it was all about getting to mile 21 and I must say I really don’t know what I would’ve done without Charlie geeing me up and hailing down physios for me. We arrived in the endz, Limehouse. A friend I didn’t know was going to be there spotted me and to say he was excitable would be an understatement, he jumped into the middle of the road and threw his arm round me. He was taking pictures and shouting things like ‘I cant believe it, I can’t believe your actually doing it’ which put a smile on my face and made me chuckle. He ran along with us sporting a huge grin and then… A sign read ‘RUN LIKE YOU’VE JUST ROBBED SOMEONE’ us- ‘Brap Brap Brap!’… Charlie- ‘Here we gooo Pace, Here we goooo!!!’ We see the signs. We see the banners. We hear the drums. Then BANG BANG BANG! #MileTwentyFrickinOne arrives, the crowd go wild, the beautiful faces we’d been waiting for rushed in to the road, showering us with screams, hugs, smiles, love and energy…… my gosh the ecstasy, the bliss it was absolutely amazing. On top of that I saw some of my oldest friends looking a mixture of surprised and delighted by it all. What a feeling it was, one to stay with me for life.

After that it was certified, whatever it took I was making it to the finish line, doubts were lifted and time was irrelevant. It was the longest most physically gruelling hour of my life but Charlies energy along with the crowd getting behind me kept me going as I continued to be halted in my tracks by the intense pain. We got to bird cage walk and I was so delighted to see my younger brother there, I missed him at #mile21 (he was drumming) and I really needed a final push to make the last 1000 metres. We went for it down the Mall grabbing Katy Miller (the wonderful women that got us the place) who was finishing too- we held hands, raised our arms and crossed the finish line.

After crossing the finishing line the pain overrode any feeling of enjoyment, there was a lot of anger and I questioned why I’d put myself through it. It’s now a full week later, i’ve been able to heal and refill my energy stores allowing the whole experience to sink-in naturally. On reflection I am real proud and extremely thankful to Charlie for getting me to commit to Rundem and the Marathon. I hold not a single regret in taking part and the journey will stay with me for life. Friends have been in touch telling me how inspired they are and some have even said they want run it. In comparison to 4 months ago I feel so much more equipped to take on future challenges life throws my way. Thank you and much respect to my family, friends and everyone in the crew for your positive and inspiring words throughout the process I salute you! 

Love and Peace

Thomas Pace

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