25 APRIL - SUCCESS !

It's as though the world has shrunk.

I exist in my own bubble which consists of a circular patch of tarmac approximately 8 inches in diameter about 4 inches in front of my running shoes.

That circle of tarmac belongs to the Embankment and it is moving slowly... sometimes it looks like the patch of tarmac is going to stop moving... but then the running shoes give it a kick and we're off again.

Sometimes I can't hear a thing.

Sometimes I can only hear my mantra,   "....only [1/2/3* (*delete as appropriate) ] miles to go... piece of p*ss... you can breeze it...."

Sometimes a complete stranger screams at you piercing the bubble:

"C'MON ADAM KEEP GOING YOU'RE DOING REEAAAAALLLYYY WELL....!"

Then a big blue sign looms up saying '600 Meters to go' and I realise I didn't even notice passing Big Ben.

I perk up.

I finish.

I nearly collapse.

I get up and I realise I have done it. I have completed the Flora London Marathon 2006 and I have the medal to prove it.

And my time? well, that was 4 hours 15 minutes and 9 seconds but please don't think I am fixated about that: the Flora London Marathon is so so much more than a time.

Then there's the fundraising. I'm told this year something like £35 million will be raised in total by all runners.

I am really proud of raising over £4000 for the Alzheimer's Society and I am really grateful to you all for your exceptional support throughout. The Society were really helpful and supportive throughout.

I met some of the 191 runners for Alzheimer's Society both during and after the race, I salute you all..!

Who knows, maybe next year??

This is marathon runner Ramsay signing off for the last time (this year!)

over and out......

 

 

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UPDATED 22 APRIL

OK just two words " VERY NERVOUS "

Thanks for all your sport: check out my get-up for tomorrow.

Over and out.

 

 

 

 

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12 April UPDATED

I'm sitting here feeling a bit weird.... weird because I am NOT doing much running at the moment. It feels all wrong. Instinctively, I feel my lung capacity diminishing with every training session I am NOT doing.... my legs are withering away....aarrghh... the pressure.

Anyway, I am actually just following the classic taper towards the big day but it does feel weird not doing all that hard and long work three or four times a week...

All that is mere 'piffle' compared to the amazing generosity shown by all my sponsors to whom I am eternally grateful.

Who would have thought that a stupid personal challenge would actually end up doing some real good?

So, please, give yourselves a big pat on the back from me, the Alzheimer's Society and of course all those living with Alzheimers and all other forms of dementia who are helped by the Society's work.

Anyway, back to me, me, me.

Can't say I am feeling particularly lively. I'm told this is quite a common feeling, a feeling of heaviness ... man... or, a "I don't feel much like running"  feeling in the run up to the big day, but you can rest assured I will be giving it all I have come Sunday 23 April.

OK best go and have a protein shake and a power nap.

I shall make a final broadcast / blog the night before or something, thanks for listening.

 

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UPDATED 3 APRIL

So, it's time to put my feet up and chill out a bit until the big day... completed my longest long run on Sunday of 20 miles and I feel pretty much ok ! (much to my surprise).

From now on in it is a much lighter training regime which reflects best practice in terms of 'tapering' for the day.

I am really pleased and grateful for all your support, if you were thinking of coming to watch there are two Alzheimers Society designated supporter sites along the route as I said before, one in docklands and one at 23 miles ( I think). I will give more details nearer the time.

I will be running in the Alzheimers Society running vest so I should stand out as it is very bright... also, near the finish they are holding a post-race event at a hotel, again I will let you have details nearer the time.

I said I wasn't going to run  Reading half marathon and I am going to stick by that.  I am going to try and do the final preparations by the book and give myself every chance of finishing and in a satisfying time, moreover I want to finish in style to repay in some part  all your great generosity.

Cheers everyone and maybe I'll see some of you on the big day !

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UPDATED 29TH MARCH

Blimey, I have reached my revised target also, I am really pleased..!

Ok I am going to revise my fundraising target AGAIN ! I shall be amazed if I reach the new total but thanks so so much for all your support.

I am now going to be running in an Alzheimers Society running vest with my name on it as I have made contact with them officially and now have their support. If any of my sponsors wished to come along on the day, there are one or two Alzheimers Society official supporters sites along the route and all family and friends are welcome, when I know the details I shall let you know.

I have also decided not to do Reading half marathon. This is for three reasons 1.) although I may try and treat it as just another long run, knowing myself I would probably try and beat my last time and I just don't want to risk injury (about which I am paranoid); 2.) I've heard it is a right hassle to get there and park and it is not the pretty-ist of races; and 3.) I am carrying a niggling knee injury.

So, to the training: I have a sore right knee. OK I have had this for a while but this is a bit of a niggling injury which I need to be careful of.  I am firmly hooked into my final 4 week programme which includes this Sunday my longest ever run of 20 miles or 3.5 to 3.75 hours. After that it is taper time, i.e. wind down to the race itself.

So, have I lost any weight ?..... errrr. no but I think I have trimmed down a bit and my legs are a different shape. Then again I do like my food and all this training is like an invitation to eat ...alot.

Have I enjoyed it? ....errr... yes overall. Will I keep running as part of my overall fitness regime?  think so, let's see how 23 April goes.

I'll keep you posted after the BIG run Sunday.

Regards

 

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UPDATED AS AT 21 MARCH

Due to everyone's incredible generosity, I am revising my fundraising target upwards to £2500.

The new picture is me just after finishing the Fleet Half Marathon on 19 March. See www.fleethalfmarathon.com where you can see my results and if you click the DE Photo link - some photos of me in or finishing the race (...lucky you!)

Thank you so much for your continued support. It is really amazng to see your donations flowing in. Thank you very much.

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UPDATED AS AT 20 MARCH

++++ STOP PRESS++++

I completed Fleet Half Marathon yesterday 19th March in windy but sunny and warm conditions. It was a good race.

At first the pace was tough and I thought I had gone off too quickly but this dragged me along with a faster group and I ended up doing a time of 1 hr 46 mins which I am very pleased with. That is over 6 minutes faster than Wokingham last month.

Thanks so very much for all your kind donations, I have been genuinely shocked at your generosity and I am really pleased as I hope the Alzheimers Society will be.

I will let you have further progress report nearer to the big day...

I am scheduled to run the Reading Half Marathon but am undecided at this point whether to do it or not.

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Well as some of you may know I have decided to try and complete the Flora London Marathon this year....

As it looks increasingly like I might make the start line (!) I thought I may as well try and do something productive with all my physical effort and hence this webpage.

Training has been tough and I readily admit I haven't done as much as I should have but I feel confident of giving it a good go, injury or illness aside.

The pic is of me finishing the Wokingham half marathon in 1:52 ish and I have Fleet Half on 19th March and Reading Half in early April. I shall keep you informed of progress.

If any of you have come across alzheimers you will know how devastating it is, please give what you can. Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. 

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Alzheimer's Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.