Eight week journey to Virtual London Marathon success

There may not have been thousands of people lining the streets of the city for the 2020 Virtual London Marathon, but a competitor from Caistor says she was blown away by the support she received while running in the picturesque setting of the Wolds.
Carrie Vaughan of Caistor Running Club running the Virtual London Marathon.Carrie Vaughan of Caistor Running Club running the Virtual London Marathon.
Carrie Vaughan of Caistor Running Club running the Virtual London Marathon.

Not being able to race the main event which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic had been a massive disappointment for Carrie Vaughan of Caistor Running Club.

It would have been her first marathon and she had been training hard through the winter.

"I remember driving home after that run, crying happy tears at the realisation I was possibly capable of a marathon distance," she recalled.

The mile markers made by Carrie Vaughan's dad to help her along her route.The mile markers made by Carrie Vaughan's dad to help her along her route.
The mile markers made by Carrie Vaughan's dad to help her along her route.

"When the race was postponed I was initially frustrated, but I soon decided this was a silver-lining as I had longer to train.

"The day after the news of the virtual race was announced, I drafted another training plan, I had less than eight weeks to prepare and managed this with the support of my local running club.

"Eventually we were allowed to train in small groups and that made a big difference to my training.

"As well as the club, I’ve been going to bootcamp classes at 6am three mornings a week, during these sessions I’ve gained some new running buddies who have also supported me throughout training."

Unlike previous London Marathons where the routes have been mapped out for competitions, virtual runners had to come up with their own courses.

"I planned my 26.2 mile route using an old school OS Explorer map, a ruler, pencil and a piece of string and pulled together various training sections to make something I’ve named The Wolds Marathon," she said.

"My dad even made me 26 mile markers which my partner, Shaun Hyde, and I pegged out in the pouring rain on our bikes the evening before race day."

Carrie said she felt good when race day arrived on Sunday.

"I felt as ready as I’ll ever be for this year," she said. "My route started at my house in Keelby and I ran with three friends and my bootcamp instructor on her bike with all my water, a first aid kit and energy supplies.

"We were waved off by Shaun, my two daughters, Demi and Freya; and other friends.

"My next support joined at Swallow village at mile five. I’d settled into the pace by then, despite having to be slowed down a little.

"The weather stayed fine for us and the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds added real beauty to the route.

"We hit the tough off-road section from Swallow to Rothwell. Rothwell was where the support really began to carry me through the run.

"Friends were at the roadside playing music and cheering me on.

"We hit Caistor at 11 miles where I was greeted by lots of cheers from (socially distanced) club members and the family of one of the ladies who had ran from Swallow with me.

"It was here that my bike support also grew - cycling and running up the A46 is not to be reckoned with, so well done to everyone."

Support continued along the route. "Another friend even met us by the airport with a hand-written support banner and a boot full of chilled lucozade. What a legend! Thank you Nell!

"We hit Kirmington where I was greeted by work colleagues and even more support of the running club.

"Once I entered 20 mile territory at Brocklesby I knew I had this in the bag. Habrough to Keelby along the train line bridleway was tough and slow but we made it to the Roxton Lane homestretch to tick off 24 miles.

"The final two miles were the best part, knowing I was almost home. I was joined by Shaun and my eldest daughter Demi on their bikes while my youngest Freya was waiting excitedly at the finish line with more supporters."

The finish line was especially emotional for Carrie.

"As if all the support along the route didn’t blow me away enough, the finish line was better than anything I would have had in London, and anything I could have ever imagined," she said.

"Thank you to my supporters for sticking by my side. My final running support crew got me home across the finish line and I was greeted by cheering, car horns, Lincolnshire flags, flowers, prosecco and so many smiles.

"I don’t think I’ve processed this all yet, not the miles, but the support.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the messages, cheers from the roadsides, all the miles cycled and ran, especially those of you who ended up running far more miles than they intended.

"Thank you for the good luck banners, the drinks stations, the jelly babies, the gifts, the flowers, the prosecco and the G&Ts. You have been sensational."

To top it all, Carrie has secures a place for London 2021. She said: "I will be raising funds for The Princes Trust and looking forward to doing this all over again."

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