3 November 2009

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  I have been overwhelmed by the support of my friends, family and colleagues.  I can safely say that running the marathon was the hardest thing I have ever done (or ever want to do!). 

I was buoyed up by the fabulously supportive crowds, by Adrian who ran with me, by Jilly, Louis and my Mum who were there for me at 8 miles and 25 and now, two days later, apart from my ankles, knees and hips I am in great shape.  Nothing can now stop me (except perhaps for stairs).

I managed to do it in 4 hours 37 seconds and 15 seconds.  Given that I make no pretence to be an athlete I am delighted with that time.  Frankly, I was worried that the road sweepers would start moving in and they would be packing up when I finally came in.  I came 28,009th out of 43,745 finishers.

Several times my legs informed me that I simply could not carry on but more than once I thought about how generous everyone had been and how Barnardo's were counting on me. That helped me to keep on going. So thank you all again.

I now plan to do quite a lot of sitting down and putting my feet up. 

ps The toe held up.  The biggest problem was people trying to stand on it.

 

26 October 2009

Well, breaking my toe a week before the Marathon isn't going to help!  Bugger...

On balance this might mean that I will not actually win the Marathon.

 

1 July 2009

I am thrilled to be running the ING New York Marathon this year in aid of Barnardo’s.

I skived out of physical exercise throughout my school days and am a full time desk jockey.  To say that my life was sedentary is perhaps a little of an understatement.  I drank too much, slept too little.  I am asthmatic with too little blood in my cholesterol stream.  I could break into a sweat standing up too quickly.  I started the training in about as poor a condition as an adult male can be.  I needed a challenge.  This is it!  Without doubt this is one of the toughest, yet most exhilarating challenges of my life. Knowing the money I raise will be used to improve the lives of vulnerable children makes the shin splints worth while.  

Dig Deep.  I do not want to have died in vain.

Barnardo’s believes in the potential in every child and young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. They will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Barnardo's and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So please dig deep and donate now.

£5 – just £5 can provide books for 3-5 year olds, which are essential for early learning.

£10 – could supply materials for a healthy eating cookery session for young carers.

£25 – can pay for toys and games for play therapy sessions for a child who has been abused.

£30 – could pay for a young carer to enjoy a day out to the cinema or bowling.

£50 – can allow a child to get involved in confidence building activities such as sport, art or drama for a day.

£130 – could hire a minibus for a group of disabled children to go out for the day.

£450 – could pay for a year’s supply of emergency toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and soap for a project working with homeless young people.

I have set myself an ambitious target to raise for Barnardo's but that target is directly proportionate to the suffering and grief I have put myself through in training (thanks Lee!).  If you have seen me sweating and wheezing round the lanes of Guernsey and had a good laugh at my expense please dig even deeper. 

In the unlikely event of me surviving the marathon I promise not to do anything as silly again for a long long time so I will not be stinging you again for ages so you can be even more generous than you were originally thinking of being!