Le Marathon de Paris

After months of preparation and well over 400 miles of training runs, we set off for Paris on Thursday night after work. We were on schedule and making our way through Eurostar when we had a ‘petit probleme’. As I got out the passports, I had one red one (British) for Cora, one blue one (American) for me… except, the blue one was actually Cora’s as well!

So after a moment or two of panic and much swearing from me, I made a quick dash back home – well, quick if you consider a 20 minute train ride, return cab trip and then another 20 minute train ride back fast. I finally got back through security 20 minutes before the last train left – which Cora was able to get us re-booked onto whilst I was dashing home. Not a brilliant start to the weekend to say the least!

From there things went smoothly and our good friends Amelie and PH were excellent and very hospitable hosts for the weekend making us feel right at home. I got my number and timing chip on Friday at the Marathon Expo and then we joined Adeline and Diane, Venla and Julien, and Amelie and PH for a nice quiet dinner after they finished work.

Saturday we spent a lot of time outside relaxing and consuming a lot of pasta. That night we also celebrated Adeline’s birthday, which was on the Sunday, with a chocolate cake and a few never-ending candles magic candles which really dumbfounded little two year old Diane.

Sunday dawned bright and cool, but blissfully free of the winds they were forecasting. I had a quiet breakfast and finished some last preparations and was out the door by 715. We met up with Oliver and Kathy, the other two runners from Cora’s company, and then walked the two minutes up to the Arc d’Triomphe where the marathon started.

It was a truly amazing experience to be in a crowd of 30,000 runners all heading off down the Champs Elysees at once and the first few kilometers flew by.

The elites

I passed our cheering section twice in the first half of the race and definitely felt great at those points.

First sighting of CW

Third sighting of Oliver - 300 metres from the finish

The grand finale

After it all...

Oliver and CW at the end of the marathon

After the marathon we spent the rest of the day drinking and eating and hanging out with good friends, with Oliver and I gradually hobbling around after people. All in all it was a really great weekend and although the last hour and a half of running were not great on my part, the marathon itself was still amazing. That being said, I am taking a well deserved break off from running this week!

Congratulations to all three marathon runners - CW, Oliver and Kathy for a great marathon!!

CW Official Race Results and Photos - Video

Oliver Official Race Results and Photos

Kathy Official Race Results and Photos