Marathon Mum runs for Deafness Research
Victoria Banks, who lost her hearing at the age of two and had a cochlear implant in August 2005, took part in this year’s London Marathon to raise money for Deafness Research UK.
23 April 2006, Marathon Day - I had planned to take the 8.30 train from Charing Cross to Maze Hill to assemble for the red start but I arrived earlier than planned and ended up taking the 7.37 to Greenwich! There was standing room only on the train – I started thinking about my poor feet! Once I arrived at Greenwich there was a 2 mile walk to the start itself and a long queue for the loos but I had plenty of time so stood in line.
There were nine zones in the starting area – zone 1 being the fastest, zone 9 being the fancy dress people. I was in zone 6 (ten minute per mile pace zone). My sister and her husband were in zone 5 – I tried to look out for them but there were just too many people. Ended up chatting to a girl on my right. Looked at my watch – 9.45 – time to start! Did not hear the klaxon but neither did the other girl! We moved in waves – I officially went through the start at 9.55.
A nice crowd had turned out for us – children were holding out their hands “gimme five” style. I stayed with the ten minute per mile pacer who was holding up a sign showing the number 10. As we ran towards stations/underground zones the crowds would build up and you could hear this almighty roar of clapping, shouts, whistles plus hysterics from various relatives of the runners. Although I was continually distracted by all this noise, (it was the first time I had worn my implant in a loud crowd setting) I carried on running – often near the side of the road so that I could slap the children’s hands.
I had no idea where I was going – south east London was not a familiar area to me – I looked at my watch and realised I had been running for nearly an hour. I knew at that point Cutty Sark would come into view. The crowds here were phenomenal as we rounded the ship.
Near the half way point now – Tower Bridge – here you could see and hear the masses – the support was incredible. The first signs of tiredness began to hit me as I went up the slope on the bridge. But that did not last very long – the road began to slope downwards all the way down to the right down the Eastern Highway.
London Docklands – again unfamilar territory – I began to tire when I went into a tunnel. Starting to find the crowds a bit much now even though they were thinning out. Canary Wharf was the 20 miles mark and my legs just went – could see runners doing stretching exercises on the side of the road – wondered whether I should stretch my legs. My response was no, keep on running! At that moment, my legs just gave way and I lost all my energy. I could only walk and run at this stage.
Back up the Eastern Highway towards Tower Bridge – I could see the fancy dress runners on the other side – a giant caterpillar – all very amusing to watch! Still running and walking at this stage – the heavens opened and I started to get very wet. Was worried about my implant – my hair was tied back (exposing my implant to the elements) – would it survive all that rain?
Crowds now becoming too claustrophobic – I could not hear myself think! I began to wish I took my hearing aid too – so that I could take off my implant – but would I have done that? You cannot turn down the volume on an implant!
Seeing lots of jelly babies, sandwiches and opal fruits being offered by the crowd – was tempted but could not reach out for a bite to eat…. although I craved the energy, I just had no appetite! Then suddenly a man in the crowd offered a bottle of lucozade which I had no hesistation in taking!
Blackfrairs underpass – the bit I was dreading – the stale air from vehicle fumes etc. But actually this was the best bit – there were no crowds – the only sounds were the pit pat of the runners’ feet – it was bliss! But it was not to last long – I ran out into a cacophony of whistles, foghorns, clapping, shouting…
24 mile mark was passed. Nearly there! Still walk-run, but found a kind gentleman who kept going back for me in the last few miles, chivvying me along and adding a little extra distance to his 26.2 miles.
All in all, the camaraderie of the runners was incredible, the thousands of spectators, thankfully for me, indiscriminate in their support and the bands memorable – vibrant brass bands in the East End of London and an unforgettable African drumming band under one particularly gruelling underpass. It had to end though (and thank goodness!) in 5 hours (just in time for my daughter, Matilda’s second birthday party), feeling truly elated!
Thanks to an awful lot of very generous support, I have raised upwards of ten and a half thousand pounds for Deafness Research UK and I am the proud owner of a Flora London Marathon medal.
