26.2 miles of feting

I ran most of the London Marathon waving a Bajan flag. I stopped to dance when I heard reggae and soca music on the course. I took selfies and vidz, and high fived every outstretched hand. When you have Caribbean blood it can be hard to focus on the “race” and not experience the marathon as a massive 26.2-mile fete!

The costumes. Big Bens, rhinoceroses, milk cartons, phone booths. The costumes were so wild! Walking to the starting was a whole show in itself. The crowd was at full hype and the vibes on the course were electric throughout. Very unserious party vibes. I loved it! And then the love I got after the race made me feel like I won the whole thing.

I was fundraising for Sense, an organization that provides support and services for person with complex disabilities. Big thanks to everyone who donated to Sense on my behalf. Together, we helped make the world a little bit better. The support I got from the team at Sense was special throughout the fundraising process and then the post-race reception was the icing. They probably knew that the tall winding staircase would not work without the wild applause and cowbells but the welcomed us all like champions. There was food, drinks, a gift bag, massage therapy. Niceness.

London was also when I got the six-star medal, so lots of people were asking about my big extra medal.

Another thing that was very special about the London trip is that I went with my two sons, and we got to tour London together.

We also went to see Chelsea FC play in the Premier League against Everton at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea won 1-0. That was awesome. We are huge Chelsea fans. They inherited that from me 🙂

London was my seventh marathon and I’m really starting to figure out how this works. I know what to expect. I know that no matter how slow you run a marathon, it’s still hard. I also know beyond any doubt, that having a lot of fun makes it a lot easier.

Thanks, London! You win the prize for city with the Most Marathon Love!