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.