Family Matters

Woke up early this morning in the heart of Edinburgh ready for what would be my 9^th Marathon and my 4^th in 8 weeks. It was a strange feeling being so far from home preparing to run 26.2 miles through Scotland’s famous capital. I normally have a strict pre marathon routine right from the time I get out of bed until the time I leave. Being transported far from home and across the border it was hard to focus and I was constantly checking I had not missed or forgotten something. Breakfast, fluids, plasters on toes, Vaseline on feet, kit on and number secured. Check race fluids, Shot Bloks, ibuprofen, watch, sun block, phone and running belt. All was ok but I still had that familiar feeling of nerves in my stomach. The butterflies were flying today no mistaking that.

I stayed in Edinburgh with my Cousin Linda at her daughter’s flat which was only a short walk from the race start. It was so nice having my family around me especially having two of my Cousins coming to the marathon. I am exceptionally close to my family probably more so since I lost my Mum to cancer so having them here was great. It was also an added pressure as normally I run on my own so can limp home as and when I please. I was painfully aware that if I was late today I would have my wife, son, my Cousins Linda and Glen waiting at the finish line.

I left the flat at 7.45 for the start line walking through Edinburgh in my Breakthrough Breast Cancer pink top. I walked for about 15 minutes without sigh of another runner which was pretty worrying. Luckily as I approached Princes Street I met a young girl running in the same section as me. We ended up walking together and talking about the race and what we hoped to achieve. As we approached the start the crowds appeared from nowhere. I felt relieved, relaxed and ready for yet another marathon. Despite my body being subjected to 4 marathons since April I was in pretty good shape. I heard the Black Eyed Peas ‘I Gotta Feeling’ blaring out of the race speakers and felt in a good place. I felt emotional as I was about to run in a place where my Mum had spent a few happy years and proud to be running in her memory for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Bobby Moore Fund. I had also visited here many times with my Mum to see my cousins and my Uncle Alan and my Mum’s sister, my Auntie Molly. Sadly both my Auntie and Uncle have both passed away, my Uncle one of the many who lost the fight against Cancer. It is no wonder that I was emotionally charged to run this for my family and the people who gave me so much love as a child.

The marathon took an inexplicably long time to get going but soon the crowd ahead of me surged forward and my feet crossed the start line. The weather was very hot, even at this early stage it was uncomfortable and I was sure it would prove to be tough as we approached midday. I had brought sun block with me something that I really didn’t anticipate needing in Edinburgh. In fact the weather was great, the hottest day of the year so far. Fantastic for the beach and sightseeing but not so good for running a marathon.

The Edinburgh Marathon route itself was disappointing. It started near Waverley Station in the heart of Edinburgh but quickly followed a route past Meadowbank Stadium before following a coastal route through and around Musselburgh. There were some great views but I felt that as runners we missed out on the true history of Edinburgh missing out many of the iconic landmarks of the capital. In all I think we ran a mere 2 miles in Edinburgh which was a shame. Also the finish was uninspiring for such a big marathon surely it should have finished in Edinburgh in say Princes Street under the shadow of the castle. As it is the route missed an opportunity but it was still a great run and worth travelling all that way for.

The early miles were ok and my legs felt fresh and relaxed. At around mile 2 I met a young lady called Sai. She was pretty, witty and great company and running Edinburgh for the 4^th time. We ended up running together for the majority of the race only parting company in the final 2 miles. We talked about our families and what motivated us to run. I am pretty grateful that she kept me company and kept me sane through the tough points. The weather was extremely hot and uncomfortable and despite taking on fluids regularly I was struggling to regulate my temperature. We saw quite a few runners struggling in the heat and lots giving up even before the half way point. Running along the coast gave us some respite as the sea breeze was cooling and made running a lot more pleasant. The beaches along Portobello Promenade were fantastic and one of the areas best kept secrets. I have been to Edinburgh many times but I had never realised that such great sandy beaches were only a few miles away. People were out in force due to the great weather and they were all very friendly invariably shouting out my name as I passed by.  We passed lots of fish and chip shops and I think the smell was driving us delirious. In Brighton I was craving cake but here in Edinburgh I was craving fried fish!

At Musselburgh Racecourse I was delighted to run past the Scottish Breakthrough breast Cancer Supporters cheering point. I got a fabulous reception and one of the guys ran up to meet me saying it had made his day to meet me. It was really great to get that contact and it helped spur me on for the next few miles. As we passed mile 9 the cool breeze from the sea dropped and we were subjected to the full force of the sun, by mile 13 it was becoming tough, very tough. I was struggling to balance my fluids and my legs were beginning to complain loudly. The ghosts of my last 3 marathons were making themselves known and moaning loudly if I changed pace. As the miles increased so did the pain. Approaching mile 18 the organisers made some changes to the course under police instructions, which messed with my GPS watch. From this point on I was not too sure where we were and how far we had left. I was not happy.

We met many great people on the run. The Golden Girls were great. All over 50 and running with such determination that you could not help to admire them. The heat was tough for them but they all kept going. What great ladies. We ran with another young lady who we nicknamed ‘The Purple Lady’ for no more interesting reason than the fact we she was running in purple. She was struggling big time but was determined to finish no matter what. Sai bless her stayed to coach her through the last few miles but my legs were complaining and I knew if I slowed down I might not be able to start running again.

My leg muscles were routinely cramping. I could see the calf muscles in my legs pulsing periodically and despite the ibuprofen tablets I had taken I was starting to feel a lot of pain. I made the decision there and then to up my pace and get to the finish line before my legs seized up. Surprisingly increasing the pace eased the pain and I felt much better. I passed a number of runners who all seemed to be struggling but I was determined to finish. I saw a group of runners who had just finished complete with race t-shirts and medals and they told me I was into the last mile. I remember digging deep and turning the corner to see my family in the distance waiting patiently at the finish line. It was an emotional experience but as I crossed the finish line I knew I had completed my 9^th marathon and made them proud. Seeing my wife and son, along with my Cousins and my cousin Glen’s son Callum was the most fantastic feeling in the world. Running for charity is tough. Running for someone you love after losing them to Cancer is even tougher. This time the people who understand my pain both physical and emotional were at the finish line. At that moment crossing the 26.2 mile marker of The Edinburgh Marathon I really discovered the importance of my family in my life. For me now more than ever in my life family really matters.

A Day Out at the Seaside

I had been looking forward to The Brighton Marathon for many months. It is one of the biggest marathons in the UK and with around 18,000 runners there was a good chance that for once I wouldn’t be at the very tail end of the race. Brighton would be my 7^th marathon so far and my 2^nd in two weeks. Physically I felt ok, a little dehydrated from a brief bout of sickness a few days earlier and tired from too little sleep but otherwise fine. I was up at just after 4,00am trying to eat porridge with golden syrup and drinking about a litre of water followed by a bottle of energy drink. I spent most of the next hour back and forward to the toilet but at least I knew I was hydrated and ready for the 26.2 miles ahead. My wife and son were coming with me so it was an early start for all of us and a short drive to the train station which would take us to the race.

I had planned everything and all was going well until we arrived at the station. We arrived 20 minutes early but found out about 10 minutes before our train was due that it had been cancelled with no replacement train or bus service arranged. Thank you so much Network Rail. There were many runners stranded at the station wondering what to do. The next train was over an hour away and would arrive too late for the start of the race. In the end we opted to drive up to Worthing and try to catch a connection there. We made the train with about 5 minutes to spare and got to Preston Park around half an hour before the start of the race. Our delayed arrival stopped me meeting a lot of people who I had hoped to say hello to and one lovely lady Alma who had offered to run a few miles with me. In the end it wasn’t the best preparation but I lined up in the green section with all the slower runners ready for the start. I was next to a man in a big furry badger costume and another dressed as a bear!! It was a little chilly but I was sure that after a few miles they would be sweating and regretting their choice of costume!

It took about 15 minutes from the official start of the race until I took my first steps over the starting line. As I looked around I could see there were indeed runners of all abilities here. Some wore the latest gear, while others looked like they had turned up for a school PE lesson with a complete mishmash of clothing and shoes that were more suited to cleaning the car than running. Past experience has taught me that despite this lack of gear these runners are the ones who usually speed past me leaving me in their wake at about mile 3. The start of the race was quite tough as the first section of the race involved running up hill to the highest point on the course. There was a lot of puffing and panting and you could see a few worried faces who were feeling the strain before the first mile was completed. At the top of the hill was a sign saying ‘Only 26 miles to go’ which meant we had only completed 0 .2 miles so far. I think I heard a few thousand people groan as we passed this point. As we ran downhill a lot of runners broke ranks to pee in the bushes including a number of women who didn’t seem shy of doing a Paula Radcliffe while a few thousand runners passed by. Good luck to them.

The early stages of the race were great as I was passed by a lot of people who knew of my 25 marathon challenge or had read it on my shirt as they passed by. Everyone was so friendly and supportive. Meeting even for fleeting seconds people I knew through Twitter or the running community was fantastic and made me feel part of a big happy family. I saw a few other Breakthrough Breast Cancer runners and we all exchanged greetings and stories which helped take my mind of the miles ahead. I ran for a short while with a guy raising funds for epilepsy and another running for Help For Heroes which was pretty humbling. The best part of running a marathon and indeed of being a back of the pack runner is actually meeting people and hearing their stories. It is really heart warming hearing other people’s reasons for running and it really motivates you to complete your own personal challenge.

Cancer has hit my own family quite hard. After losing my Mum to Breast Cancer I also lost a couple of Uncles to the disease which makes the run very personal. Even as a young child my Granddad lost a fight against the disease. I also lost a good friend a few years ago and it is these people that keep me going and keep me focused on why  I am out here. I am running this year for The Bobby Moore Fund and Breakthrough Breast Cancer two of the best charities I know and both charities close to my heart. My Mum suffered with Bowel Cancer before losing the fight after a long battle with Breast Cancer so these particular charities are extremely important to me.

I have to point out that I am not a strong runner so choosing to run marathons is a very tough challenge. Extremely tough. I have to date completed 6 marathons with Brighton being my 7^th and have been at the back of the field every time. I am plagued with self-doubts but running for charity is really the only thing that pulls me through the 26 or so miles. One of the reasons for choosing to run here was the large field of runners who I hoped would carry me through. I may not be the best runner but I have a big heart and a huge determination to succeed whatever the cost. I am stubborn which I guess helps but I am also frustrated that I can’t run faster and take so long to complete each race.

Only 2 weeks previously I had completed my last marathon. Now at about mile 8 I was really feeling it. I was running uphill at this stage and by chance met a bunch of lads who would inspire me to run and give me one of the best marathon experiences I have ever had. Gaz, Lloyd and Andy would help me through the next 18 miles and together we would laugh, share the pain and joy of running a marathon. They were all on a journey to complete their first marathons and I for once was an old hand and a veteran of 6 marathons! We were quite well matched for pace and so with good conversation and some good running weather we opted to stay together to the end. I was in no mood to rush off and chase a fast time and to be honest at this early stage my last marathon was starting to make itself felt in my legs. We shared stories about our reasons to run and became a Band of Brothers or more likely The Old Fartz Club! We shared a determination to get through and a desire to show people that although outwardly we did not resemble marathon runners, inside we had enough courage to tackle what is one of the hardest physical activities that the average man or woman would face in their lifetime.

As we ran and approached our first water station we were met with a disturbing sight. A well meaning St John’s Ambulance guy was standing at the side of the road in full uniform. On closer inspection he had a disposable glove covering his outstretched hand with a liberal amount of Vaseline smeared over his middle finger. We all exchanged some very worried looks and were relieved to find the Vaseline was not for some mid-race prostrate examination but for runners to smear on their eyebrows to stop any sweat from getting in your eyes. We all had a great laugh at this more out of relief than anything but it was extremely funny at the time. We refuelled with fluid and tried some energy gel Bloks which were great. So great that we spent the next mile picking discarded ones off the ground to give us energy. We were so tired that cleanliness wasn’t our top priority although we did make sure they were not chewed at least!

As the race progressed and the miles passed we all felt the strain. Parecetamol, Aspirin and Ibruprofen were passed about to null the aches and pains but there was no doubt it was getting tough. Lloyd a 60, year old bus driver from Brighton knew the route and was telling us where all the hills were. We lost track of the number of times he told us that this was the last hill only to turn the corner and face another incline. He took a lot of good natured abuse from us which in truth was not deserved as they weren’t really hills but when you are running a marathon even the slightest incline is not welcome! We passed the 13 mile mark in one piece. A few backs and legs were aching but passing this mark was a milestone as a lot of the lads hadn’t run further than this before. It is also quite a frightening moment for a first time marathoner as your body is aching and craving rest and you realise you are only just passing halfway. As we ran along the seafront the crowds were in force and they really spurred us along. I was getting a lot of attention as I had my name on the front and back of my running vest and this really helped me motivate me to run on. At around mile 14 we passed the Breakthrough Breast Cancer supporters cheering point who gave me the biggest cheer and made me proud to be running in pink for them. After a couple more miles the crowds thinned out and the loneliness and toughest part of the marathon started.

We ran through town past Café Nero, Subway, Burger King, Chinese Takeaways, Indian Takeaways and Kebab shops. All our stomachs were desperate for food. The gel Bloks were nice but real food was what we needed. At this point we met up with the final part of our Magnificent Five. She was a young girl called Nancy who it turned out was getting married next year and running to get fit. She fitted in with us straight away and was on the same wavelength when it came to humour. She was accompanied by another young girl who was struggling with an injury and who soon dropped away. However later in the race she was like a new woman and zoomed past us leaving us to wonder at her powers of recovery!! At about this time, maybe mile 16 we entered a housing estate. There were people out in the streets playing music, having BBQ’s and generally cheering us on. Hearing The Ting Tings blasted out at full volume does make you run faster although the one thing that got our pace up was the mention of cake. Another runner running ahead of us and looping back towards us mentioned that there was cake ahead which became an obsession for us all. For the next half a mile we were frantically searching for cake refusing to believe it might all just be a truly unkind hoax. Suddenly we saw a family with a table full of cakes.  It was like a mirage in the wilderness. Unfortunately it was short lived because as we got closer we found out they were selling them! Utter mercenaries. We were so disappointed and vowed to get some cake when we finished. However a few hundred metres down the road we saw a vision. Another family had baked cakes (a lot of cakes) and were handing small slices out to runners. I think we all took two each and I have to say they were absolutely delicious. I told the lady I could kiss her and before I knew what was happening I was being kissed on the lips mid marathon. So now the truth is out I will do anything for cake. Actually at that moment I would even have kissed Gaz if it meant we got some cake. They were lovely people and it is always the little gestures such as this that make a distinct impression. So from the bottom of our hearts we say a big thank you for the lovely cakes and of course the kiss (Don’t tell the wife!).

As the race progressed and our cake fuelled energy faded the race got harder. I was feeling extremely tired and getting reminders that this was not my only marathon this fortnight with sharp bolts of pain in my legs. My spirits were lifted by seeing an old running friend who I first met over a year ago at the Gosport Half Marathon. Vicky was running Brighton followed by London a week later so this really put my aches in perspective. She was flying and is really turning into a runner which is great to see. I was also really pleased to see a guy called Tom from Twitter who made the effort to come over and say hello. These two people made me smile and gave me the lift I needed to keep moving. We carried on at the same pace facing a very challenging run out to the Power Station knowing all the time we had to run the same route back. The mile markers seemed to slow at this point and every step was hard. My legs were screaming and my feet felt like I had been walking on hot coals. One look around and I could see the determination on the faces of Gaz, Lloyd, Andy and Nancy and I knew we all would make it. Lloyd suffered a couple of times and dropped back but both times he dug deep and came back to catch up with us.

Once we reached the seafront again we knew we were on the home straight. It was a different atmosphere to the crowd filled streets we passed a couple of hours earlier but we were in sight of the finish so it didn’t matter. We all pulled deep for the last mile and crossed the finish line together. Seeing my wife and son at the finish is the best feeling ever and despite my aches I must admit it was one of my best running experiences ever. I am proud to run for my Mum and proud of what I have achieved but I am also proud of the guys who ran with me. It was tough but they all laid down a marker and each and every one of them achieved their dream of completing a marathon with a lot of guts and determination.  I will always cherish the medal as a symbol of the good friends I made. Numbers were exchanged and Facebook details swapped and hopefully some or all of us will be back next year to run again. Marathons are tough but good friends make the long roads shorter. Thanks to Gaz, Lloyd, Andy, Nancy and of course my wife for standing in the cold for 7 hours while her husband went for a wander.  So many good memories of my day in Brighton. A day out at the seaside will never be the same.

Tough Love

I really don’t mind training alone. In fact sometimes getting up at 5am and running for an hour or so is a great way to clear my mind. Then again on other days it is a real effort to even get out the door and take those first few paces. Part of me enjoys running but part of me hates the routine and the seemingly endless long training runs. Training alone needs dedication and singlemindedness which I am pleased to say I have in abundance.

Running a marathon is notoriously hard but it must be said that the training is even harder. I run between 30 and 40 miles a week, running 4 days out of 7 which is tough. I am conscious however that in order to improve, this is not nearly enough. Not only is the frequency of the running hard but to best equip yourself for a marathon you need to build stamina as well, which comes only from increased mileage. I train roughly 16 weeks for each marathon slowly building my long runs each week up from 6 to 18 miles. I never run further than 18 miles in one stretch because in truth if you can run 18 miles then I believe you can complete a marathon. The hardest part is improving and finding the time to increase the distance and frequency of training. I am a dedicated trainer but also easily sidetracked so keeping on target is a constant battle. Some days when the wind is blowing and the rain is howling it is easier to take the easy option and stay at home. I have been very guilty this year of avoiding runs which does me no favours so at times I really need to revisit why I am running and put my mind in focus.

I am not a natural runner so training has always been tough. At school I was a talented rugby player, playing for my County and ultimately as a trialist for England Schoolboys. I was fit and fast then but anything over the length of a rugby pitch was painful. Today I run like a rugby player but without the exuberance of youth. I am slow which means I spend longer on my runs and consequently put more strain on my body. I am physically fit and close to the fittest I have ever been but that comes at a price. My legs and feet are sore from the impact of running and generally I ache all over. So why do I run? Despite the pain and soreness I feel great and love getting out in the open air. I have never seriously run on a treadmill and prefer the feel of the wind (and rain) in my hair. I enjoy running and the health benefits I feel in better breathing, heart rate and stamina make me feel like it is all worth it. I miss playing rugby and football so somehow running gives me that same sort of buzz even if I am not going to be challenging for any trophies.

Unlike more gifted runners I have had to accept that at 46 I am never going to be a great runner but at least I can be a more polished one. I am working on my technique and pace, so hopefully I will improve my times too.  Running for charity is a real motivator and without this I would have given up months ago. I have been running now for  just over a year and have completed 3 marathons in that time. The experience of running for my two charities; Cancer Research UK and The Bobby Moore Fund has made me stronger and helped me come to terms with the loss of my Mum. Cancer is hard for everyone concerned and for me this is my way of working through my grief and also my way of giving something back.

In 2012 and 2013 I intend to run a total of 25 Marathons which will really push me to the limit. My reasoning is that I am already doing the miles in training so it seems right to incorporate the marathons as part of my regime then hopefully through the scale of my challenge raise more funds and awareness for my cancer charities. As my Mum finally lost her fight to Breast Cancer I am planning to run for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 2012 as well as Cancer Research UK and The Bobby Moore Fund my chosen charities this year. My mum suffered and beat Bowel Cancer which is why I run for The Bobby Moore Fund and now running for Breakthrough Breast Cancer seems to be the perfect choice for me. All these charities have given me so much support and made me feel part of a very special team.

As part of my commitment to them I will be doing some volunteering work offering my time and experience whenever I can. This will start at the Shine Night walk in London in October where I will be marshalling and offering assistance to the walkers as they raise money for Cancer Research. I am hoping that this will put me in touch with more people and give my runs a greater meaning and give me more encouragement to train and to complete my challenge.

My next marathon is only a few weeks away on the 11^th September in Nottingham for The Robin Hood Marathon. Once again this will be hard but I am looking forward to running and hopefully completing another part of my challenge. I have been lucky enough to receive a lot of media coverage which has helped enormously. I have done several articles, radio interviews and have even had interest from regional and national TV which I hope may materialize over the coming months. My sponsorship and messages of support have been overwhelming and I am indebted to everyone for giving me the encouragement to carry on.

The road is long and tough but your support makes the tough times so much easier. Thank you.

A Tough Challenge

I knew the South Downs Marathon was going to be hard and I can honestly say that it didn’t fail to disappoint. It is quite rightly regarded as one of the UK’s toughest marathons and one which many people have attempted and have failed to complete. The race is almost entirely off road following rough tracks through some of the most beautiful and harsh countryside that the South of England has to offer. The terrain is tough but the real hardship comes when you tackle the hills. As you are running across the South Downs the hills are not a surprise however the steepness of the incline and the distance it goes on for is quite simply unbelievable. At some points all you can see ahead is a rough stony path leading off into the distance. It is daunting and very tough on your body. Even running downhill is hard as tired muscles scream while your momentum builds until you find you have no way of stopping without crashing to the ground. It is tough and although I had (or thought I had) prepared myself physically and mentally I was really quite wide of the mark on both counts.

This was to be my third marathon, the second of my four marathon challenge for this year. My runs are for Cancer Research UK and The Bobby Moore Fund both charities which have given me a lot of support and encouragement as I try to raise some much needed funds. My main reason for running is because I lost my Mum in 2008 after a long and brave battle with both bowel and breast cancer. Along the way I have met and received messages from many other sufferers and their families which really gives me that extra focus to run. I am not a strong runner in fact I am pretty poor. What I lack in athletic ability I make up for in stubbornness and determination and it is this that pulls me through. My mum and lots of fellow sufferers experience so much pain and suffering that putting my body through some hardship seems a small price and somehow appropriate when trying to raise funds and awareness. I am never going to break any records but believe me I give every bit as much as the guy who comes home in first place. My Uncle told me after one of my local runs he checked in the newspaper to see if he could find my name in the results section. He said he went through about two pages of names before giving up. I told him next time start at the back as you will find my name much quicker! I am under no illusions about my ability but I believe that doing something so much out of my comfort zone is what makes my challenge worth supporting.

So with two road marathons to my name and a big sense of trepidation I prepared to run what was likely to be my toughest race so far: The South Downs Marathon. The race is an off road or trail race meaning that you don’t run on nice tarmac surfaces but run on the rough trails and stony pathways that follow the route of the South Downs. It is also what is known as a point to point marathon where instead of running a circuit and running a loop back to where you started you run from one fixed point to another. The race started in the grounds of Slindon College near Chichester and followed the route of the South Downs Way finishing in Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield.

I arrived at Queen Elizabeth Country Park at 7 in the morning and boarded one of the specially provided coaches which took us on the 40 minute drive to Slindon College. The drive was good and as always I was looking at all the other runners hoping to find someone that didn’t look too fit in the hope I wouldn’t be left behind once the race got underway. Unfortunately everyone as usual looked a lot fitter than me! We arrived at Slindon and the atmosphere was great very friendly with people offering all sorts of advice. I managed to meet up with a few friends and people who were following me on Twitter which was nice and gave me a much needed boost. Everyone regardless of ability seemed in agreement that this was going to be a hard race and in hindsight that was the understatement of the day.

The early stages of the race were good with a few gradual climbs and generally good running surface. I was keeping pace with the runners around me and felt in good shape for the remainder of the race. I managed to run with a guy called Rob who was running for his Autistic son’s school and it was inspiring to meet him and hear his story. I knew him from Twitter but hearing some of his story and the stories of others around you really did make me stronger and gave me the determination to succeed. I lost Rob early on but still felt good and on target to complete my third marathon. As the miles progressed the terrain became a lot more unstable; rutted muddy paths gave way to stony tracks with tree roots and other obstacles seemingly reaching out to unbalance you when you least expected it. Running on an uneven surface is hard even in the trail shoes I had brought specifically for the purpose and soon I was feeling every step. At about mile 9 I slipped on a rock and twisted my ankle. It seemed to instantly balloon up and pulse with pain every time I put weight on it. I tried to slow down which helped but soon I found that I was developing a thigh strain because I was not running correctly. In the end my adrenalin seemed to mask the pain and ran on towards the hills.

The hills were horrendous. The course has a total elevation gain of 5728 feet and a loss of 5523 feet with four hills climbing way past the 600 feet mark. You cannot really prepare for these hills and running them one after another hits hard. Even the elite runners were suffering so that gave me some heart. I managed to conquer the first two but could feel every ounce of energy sapping from my body as I ran on. By the third one my body was suffering and for the first time in a marathon I walked all the way up the hill and then ran down the other side. I was not alone as a lot of other runners were doing the same. You would assume walking was easier. I can assure you its not! My legs, back and shoulders were on fire but I knew if I stopped I really would struggle to get going again.

After about 13 miles a lot of people seemed to be dropping out and occasionally when we passed a point accessible by road an ambulance would drive past with its lights flashing. It was all pretty daunting especially as I felt exhausted and still had over 13 miles left to run. As always the miles creep and the pain dulls until I looked up and saw we were at mile 18. In my head it was so hard that I really thought I may have to quit and if I am truthful I probably would if I had been running just for myself. Thinking of the cause, my sponsors, my family, my mum and everyone connected with the run really does not make this an option. It is at times like these that I hate running and hate my inability to keep pace with those around me but I am determined and very, very stubborn. I don’t like running alone and miss the company of my best friend Mike who helped me run last year. Unfortunately he has been very ill so this year’s effort has become a very solitary one. In some ways it is good as I can reflect on my mum and all the friends I have lost to Cancer but sometimes I wish he was here to give me a kick up the bum and keep running.

Despite the pain the scenery is quite breathtaking. I have lived in the area all my life and I am sorry to say that you tend to take it all for granted. Being alone on top of the South Downs you sense the true beauty of the area and also your insignificance compared to all around you. I guess getting deep you start to appreciate the fragility of life and how lucky you are to be healthy and have such a wonderful and loving family.

As I passed through the last few miles as always it is my family that come to mind. I miss my mum so much as I also miss my good friend Val both victims of Cancer’s unforgiving grip. They both had so much courage and it is this courage that carries me to the finish line. My body this time was quite badly aching but somehow I made it round the last bend and saw the finish line in sight. Normally when I see the sign for mile 24 I think that with only two miles to go I am going to make it but this time it wasn’t until that final corner that I could honestly say I was confident of completing the race. Crossing the line was fantastic and I still can’t quite believe I have completed such a tough race but I am proud and hope my mum is too.

Post race was and is tough. I have three black toenails which no doubt I will lose, one toe which is bloody and bruised from the constant impact of running and numerous blisters that seemed to emerge on every place I missed with plasters. My ankle was swollen for a few hours and my thigh had a niggling jolt of pain every time I put pressure on it but you know what it was all worth it. Even now as I write this nearly a week after the event with my pain subsiding I am proud and glad I stuck with it. Life like a marathon is never flat and smooth. We all have ups and downs to contend with and on the whole we take them in our stride. Cancer for the sufferers and their families puts bigger hills in the way with steeper climbs. It takes a lot of courage and determination but those hills can be defeated. On your own it is tough but together we can beat it, the only limitations are our own.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

The first marathon of my 4 marathon challenge was always going to be hard but I really had no idea just how hard it would be. My training in preparation for the day was not ideal. A virus in early February cut my training miles and resulted in me entering the race less prepared than I would have liked. I felt fine in myself with no injuries but my worry was how I would cope when the race got into its later stages. Running a marathon is hard but the last few miles are where your training kicks in. There are no short cuts if you haven’t done the training then you are going to struggle. So it was with much trepidation that I approached the first part of my challenge for 2011.

The venue was Battle in East Sussex for the inaugural run of The Sussex Marathon. The event was held on Mothering Sunday which was quite poignant as I would be running for my Mum. On the day I woke at 4.00am and prepared for a long drive to Sussex . I was nervous more so because I would be running on my own but also because my wife and son wouldn’t be there to support me. It was strange being without them but getting a 3 year old up so early to stand around while Daddy ran for half the day wasn’t really going to be a good idea.

After a long drive I found myself at the start feeling apprehensive and nervous of the run ahead. My body felt fine, I was hydrated and as ready as I could be for the challenge ahead. The weather on the day was perfect for running, warm but with a cool breeze. I felt good at the start perhaps better than I had felt for the last two months so now it was all down to me. The first few miles were tough but for me this always seems the way. It is as if my body takes a while to adapt to a long run working through early stiffness until I feel comfortable running a steady pace. The first section was quite straighforward running a flat loop around the village of Battle . My pace was good and I was running quite far ahead of schedule. There were lots of people on this part of the course shouting encouragement as I passed which was great to see and really gave me a boost. I was running for the first time with my name on my shirt so hearing people call my name was absolutely fantastic. The scenery was beautiful which helped occupy my mind and the course well signposted so at this stage I had no real worries. I followed a couple of runners who were also running for charity (MS) and we chatted about our reasons for running. Marathon runners are all such friendly people and never fail to encourage one another. Hearing other people’s reasons for running really does help to highlight your own personal reason for being on the road and gives you that extra boost to get through. Sometimes you can get caught up in your own little world and start feeling sorry for yourself but hearing some really heartfelt stories from other runners makes you feel pretty humble.

The second section of the race was an out and back run to Ashburnham and back which you had to complete twice. On paper this section showed about 3 or 4 steep hills which looked pretty challenging. The organisers stressed in all the pre-race literature to save your strength for the later stages as the hills were quite steep. I was quite buoyed by my early times so in my naivety I pushed ahead. This is where running alone is a problem. Previously running with Mike I had someone who would curb my enthusiasm (or stupidity) but this time I had no one. I honestly felt fine at this stage and although I wasn’t breaking any records I was more than happy with the progress I had made. Bear in mind my training had not gone well so stamina was always going to be a problem but so far I could hold my head up high. The early inclines were strength sapping and I could feel each stride taking my energy down a notch. As I ran on towards the 10 mile mark the hills were looming high and long. There is nothing so daunting as running when faced with huge hills which slowly incline over the course of a mile or so. Also I knew that at some point I would have to turn round and face these hills again over the last few miles of the marathon. I could feel my pace slowing dramatically and each stride became an effort that sucked the strength from my body. Even the downhill sections were tough as my legs struggled to keep pace as I sped downhill trying to make up for the time I lost on the uphill section. My toes and the soles of my feet were sore from griping the road surface in an effort to slow me down and my calf muscles were nearly bursting seemingly seconds away from developing into the worst cramps ever. 

A marathon as I have said  is unforgiving in the later stages. If you have done your training and built up your stamina it will be hard but with a little determination you will get through. If you skip or miss out the training then your stamina will be compromised and the later stages will be much harder. Around about 15 miles into the marathon my stamina waned and combined with my growing list of aches and pains for the first time I genuinely thought about quitting. I still had over 11 miles to run and mentally and physically I was struggling. I tried to focus and reminded myself just what and who I was running for. I felt tears building in my eyes at the thought of failing at the first challenge and letting so many people down. I saw a lot of people dropping out around me and was determined that even if I had to walk the remainder of the race I would complete it.

 Entering the hills a second time was psychologically very hard. My body was struggling and knowing the enormity of the hills ahead of me I knew it was going to be tough. I ran all the way but at some points my pace was so slow that I think walking would have been faster. Several of the race marshals and St John’s Ambulance crew encouraged me as I passed them and spurred me on to keep going. I knew as long as I kept moving I would be Ok, but if I stopped I probably wouldn't be able to move again. I had fuelled my body with energy drinks and gels so I was confident I was hydrated enough but waiting for the energy to kick in as I passed through The Wall was tough. I dug deep and dedicated the last few miles to my wife, my son and of course my Mum. The last mile passed in a blur, my legs were so numb with pain and I ached all over but a strange exhilaration came over me as I realised that the finish was in sight. It was fantastic to see so many people cheering me and as I crossed the line I was so proud and relieved that I had passed my biggest test so far.  

At the finish people everywhere were telling me this was a tough race. One guy who had ran over 250 marathons said it was the toughest he had ran in which made me feel better. I had struggled and finished over half and hour behind my last time but at least I had got through it. Exhaustion changed to elation as I realised what I had done. It was a very hard run done quite appropriately enough on Mothering Sunday. I am sure my Mum was with me every step of the way and I hope I made her smile and made her proud. I really am not a runner so running is hard work...  extremly hard work. I am very slow and not at all built for long distances but I have done it and kept my pledge to Cancer Research UK and The Bobby Moore Fund and to all the kind people who have supported me and sponsored me. This is only the first step but at least I am on my way.

In the days after the race the pain hit me quite hard. Despite having plasters on every toe I ended up with several blisters and also a couple of small but painful bruises on the soles of my feet. I ached all over and was experiencing cramps in my legs which were pretty painful. Luckily all these were superficial and I hadn’t suffered any injury that would affect me going forward. After a couple of days I felt much better and now after a week I feel pretty much 100%.  I am enjoying a 2 week break away from running to allow my body to heal. Then it is back out on the road again training for the next marathon in my challenge The South Downs Marathon. This will be new territory for me as this will be my first cross country marathon running from Slindon to Queen Elizabeth Country Park on Saturday 11th June. This will be another hard challenge with lots of hills (again!) and the added complication of running off road. Hopefully this time I will be better prepared and will have a better race strategy so that I will have some energy left at the end!

 The response to my run has been fantastic. I have been inundated with messages of support from all over. I did another radio interview on Radio Solent for The Julian Clegg Show which is really helping my fundraising. I have also been talking to some magazines including Your Local, Hampshire Now and The News about further features on my fundraising efforts. I am also hoping I can do something with the Queen Elizabeth Country Park to raise my profile. Every bit helps but it also puts a lot of pressure on you to suceed.

 The main thing is that the money is coming in raising much needed funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK and The Bobby Moore Fund which is the point of all these runs. I think I have a strange relationship with running. In some ways I love it but in another I hate it but despite all the blood sweat and tears the exhilaration of facing my demons and raising money for charity really does keep me going.

Running Up The Hill Backwards

Training this year has been exceptionally hard. I thought that after completing my first marathon I would be able to have a short break and then pick up where I left off. I was wrong. It took me seven months to get in good enough shape to run 26.2 miles but only 2 weeks to lose it all. I didn’t go mad and overindulge or pile on the pounds I just took time to rest. After my marathon my body was hurting and it took a long time to recover. On the surface I felt fine after a week but in reality it took two months for everything to recover.

After running long distances you find your immune system is compromised and this leads you open to any cough or cold or infection. I found physically I recovered quickly and was out running in the first week of January only two weeks after finishing my marathon. Training went well; it was hard and in fact harder than the previous year but not insurmountable. I am not a natural runner but what I lack in running skill I make up for in determination and stubbornness. I refuse to let things beat me even if it seems the odds are way against me. I run because I can and because so many good people are counting on me. I have been lucky this time to get a lot of media coverage for my runs which has put added pressure on me and made me focus on the job ahead.

Previously I have had the support of my good friend Mike Cox who helped me complete my last marathon in one piece. We had planned to run together this year but unfortunately Mike has been extremely ill and is in no condition to face the challenge of running a marathon let alone four of them. I am gutted that he will not be running with me as he is the sensible one who reins me in when I set off too fast and speeds me up when I slow down. This year I will have to do it on my own which is pretty worrying. I don’t mind the actual running as I run on my own every day but just having someone with you in those last few miles gives you so much strength. Actually I am doing Mike a disservice as I don’t think anyone could replace him as he gives me more support than anyone just by running next to me. It will be hard but in some way I will have thousands of people running with me which I am sure will give me the lift I need in the toughest moments of my challenge.

As I said previously training has been hard but lately it has got a lot harder. I picked up a virus prior to The Portsmouth RNLI Coastal Half Marathon on the 13^th February. I ran the race feeling pretty rough but thanks to the help of some very kind runners in particular Vicky Bowbrick I managed to pull through in a pretty good time. Since then I have not really recovered as it seemed as soon as one virus went another replaced it. I am normally pretty healthy and shake colds off within a few days but this year I have yet to do a training run feeling 100%. Last week I came down with a really bad virus that laid me low for a few days. I haven’t had a sick day off work in 17 years but last week I had two days off sick. My body was weak, I was exhausted, dehydrated and lacking any appetite. I lost 14 pounds in weight over the course of 5 days and felt pretty rough.  Luckily I am ok now thanks to a lot of fluids and some herbal medicine from my cousin Martin at Lincoln Herbal who prescribed a course of medication to get me fit and running again.

I have not been out running for 10 days now. My first marathon is only three weeks away so it is pretty worrying. I am planning to resume training tomorrow and hopefully I can get my fitness up to the level I need. On the plus side my weight is spot on but my muscle tone is weak so I am hoping a few runs will see that spring back. It will be a hard few weeks but I have the goal of the first of my four marathons in sight. My body may not be at its strongest but my heart is even stronger so I will push on.

Thank you so much to all the people who continue to support me especially my wife and son who have to put up with so much when I am in training. Thank you to everyone who has and who will donate your donations are really appreciated and I will try to repay your trust in me by completing each and every run. Thank you also to all the people who have stopped me or contacted me after seeing me in the paper or hearing me on the radio your words really do keep me running. Thank you also to my friends and family in particular my Auntie Ingrid who has followed my runs from abroad and has offered me unflinching support since day one.  I will not let you down. The real training starts here and it is time to face that hill head on.

A New Year A New Challenge

I felt surprisingly good after my first marathon in December. The first few days were the worst as my legs and back ached mercilessly. It was hard work even walking up and down stairs and every time I moved another fresh jolt of pain seemed to hit me. My wife told me that I was walking like a teenage boy who had just been circumcised!! After about 3 days my pains had faded to dull aches and I felt nearly human again. The body is extremely resilient and it is surprising how quickly it repairs itself after such an ordeal. My mind too was healing itself.  During the last few miles of the marathon I had made up my mind that this would be my first and last assault on the 26.2 mile monster. Now only a few days later I was contemplating a new running challenge and mentally preparing ideas to push myself even further.

So what next. My best friend Mike had helped me through the last marathon so I was unsure if he would fancy going through those same hardships again. Running a marathon is tough on your body, and tough on your mind, you really need strength in both to pull through. Mike has these in abundance and despite the pain and lack of training miles he pulled both of us through the last marathon without a single complaint. I know him well enough to realise that like me he was in a lot of pain and it was his strength and determination that kept us going. Doing it another time even for such a good friend might just be too much to ask. Now I faced a difficult decision as I was sure I wanted to run but pretty sure I would be doing the next challenge on my own.

I came to the conclusion that if I were going to run and seek sponsorship again then I would need to do something special which would encourage people to donate. I toyed with the idea of running an Ultra Marathon. This would have been 50K of sheer hell and to be honest at this stage of my brief running career I am not sure my body could physically take it. I am also not sure that I could complete it within the time limits set by the organisers without injuring myself. Another option was the London Marathon but as entries are closed for this may have to be a challenge for 2012 if I get through the ballot stage.

 In the end I decided on something which I feel will be a huge challenge for me. Something which will push me to the limit and give me a real sense of achievement if and when I complete it. In 2011 it is my intention to run 4 complete marathons within 12 months. This is an enormous challenge because I am not a natural runner and have to push myself hard to get through even moderately long distances. Since starting training in May last year I am much fitter and confident I can complete the challenge but it is still quite daunting to think of all the miles of training I will need to get through. I am planning to run at the Sussex Marathon Festival in April, the South Downs Marathon in June followed by the Isle of Wight Marathon in October and my old friend the Portsmouth Marathon in December. This may change as I have yet to secure entries to some of the races but I will confirm as and when the organisers post the dates for each event. If I cannot get into one race I will try to find another but by the end of the year I hope to have completed another 4 marathons.

This year I am running for Cancer Research UK and the Bobby Moore Fund both excellent charities who do fantastic work with limited funds. I ran for Cancer Research UK last year and this year I decided to include the Bobby Moore Fund as this deals specifically with Bowel Cancer. My Mum suffered initially with Bowel Cancer which she beat before eventually succumbing to Breast Cancer in 2008. I have a strong connection to both charities so urge you to donate if you possibly can. My challenge will last throughout 2011 so please support me and give whatever you can as it really does make a difference. I am collecting donations this year through Virgin Money Giving as they are a non-profit organisation which means that every penny goes directly to the charities concerned. If you are a UK taxpayer you can also claim Gift Aid which gives an added boost to your donation.

I previously mentioned in my past blogs all the special people I was running for. From my Mum through to relatives and friends I have known so many people have been affected by this horrible disease. Also the families and friends who have lost someone to Cancer my run is for you. I feel your pain and give my support in the only way I can… by running with you in my heart. I am also running for people who have suffered and beaten Cancer and for the brave people who are just beginning their own fight. Be brave and be strong and don’t ever give up.

Thank you so much for all the emails, FB and Twitter posts and messages of support that I received during the build up to my last run as they really helped me get through it. When you run on your own it is easy to give up but having so many people behind me meant that quitting was never an option. Thanks also to RL for your messages and bravery. Receiving a message of support from you made every step worthwhile. You are a great man, a fantastic family man who I respect more than you will ever know. You have your own fight yet still find time to push yourself to raise money for others. You are an inspiration so this challenge is very much for you too.

Thanks also to my wife and son who have put up with me getting up at 5.30 every morning to run. They have also come to all my preparation races including the marathon in some of the worst weather conditions the UK could throw at us. I really and truly could not have completed a marathon without you both.

Lastly thanks to my friend and running partner Mike who has supported me throughout. He has stuck by me whatever silly running idea I have had which means so much. I am absolutely delighted that when I mentioned my plans for running 4 marathons next year he instantly said he’d do it too. I was expecting that maybe he would run one race with me but he said that he would try to run the lot if work or personal commitments allowed. He is the backbone of our running partnership and the person who knows me best. Running with him is the best part of doing a marathon and I know my mum would be equally as proud of him as I am.

Anyway thank you so much for all your donations last year you are all very special people and I am forever in your debt. This year the challenge starts here. Please follow our run and give us all the support and encouragement you can.

If you wish to donate you can do so by following the link below:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/run4cancer

For all the special people out there and most importantly my Mum, this is for you. I am still trying to make you proud!