28 April 2010

If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.

And so it was that Anthony's plan to run a sub-4 marathon caused a right old chuckle in the gated community of St Peter's.

Got close, mind you - 4:06:44 which, considering a very dicky tummy the previous weekend, has got to be respectable. Next time, I'll break my running shoes in a little more (one foot looked like a Francis Bacon study after the race) and not glug down quite so much Lucozade Sport (it is free, but see dicky tum, above).

A great day, no question. I could have kissed every single person who called out my name, particularly in the last six miles, when the legs start to object to the pounding and the mind wanders into the dark wood.

It was worth it for the conversation afterwards with a 71year old man, who'd just finished his 23rd marathon (in a none too shabby 4:25). His bright eyes and clear skin took at least ten years off him; I wanted what he had.

Oh, and for the bloke with the T shirt that said, "After chemo, this is easy."

None too shabby, indeed.

This is my final rattle of the tin for Trinity Hospice, for whom I've raised over £1400. I'm less than eighty quid short of my target, so any spare change would be most welcome. To everyone who's supported me already, my blisters and I thank you.

Every good wish to you and to those you hold dear,


Anthony



"If you want to win something, run the 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." Emile Zapotek

23 April 2010

A quick note between slices of toast to thank everyone who's supported me over the past months; everyone who's listened to my bitches and moans; and everyone whose eyes didn't glaze over when the subject of running came up, as it has, over and over again.

We're nearly there.

Two days of force-feeding carbs and hypochondriac twitching and we'll all be penned into Greenwich park wondering what the day will bring.

Emotions are running high, after all the training and expectation. Tears again at the Marathon expo; a buzz at the sight of the roadside signs going up. The stomach's unsettled, but not just through nerves. A stomach bug has kept me shackled to the porcelain throne since the weekend and is only now loosening (do I mean that?) its grip. At least I lost a few pounds.

The forecast is looking warm, which suits me, because last year was warm too and I had a good first run. Still, that was last year.

As you can see, I'm three quarters of the way to my fund-raising target of £1500. If you can spare a few bob, I know Trinity Hospice would appreciate it. 

Those who are about to run, salute you.

Ant

PS - If you're coming down, do let me know. I can tip you off with great spots to watch the action.

PPS - TEXT RUN to 83040 and when prompted enter 48688 if you want to stalk me remotely round the course. I'm told it goes live on Saturday.

28 March 2010

Twenty eight days later, and it'll all be over.

THE STATS

March is nearly done and I've done some miles (around 120 so far and it ain't quite over yet).

It looks like I might actually get to close to the four hour mark, if not duck under. I ran a half-marathon in Hastings last week and smashed a new PB (Personal Best, like the 1982 Robert Towne movie, yes Robert "Chinatown" Towne, starring Meriel Hemingway as a bisexual athlete - only with less gratuitous nudity; mind you, one guy did run the race barefoot) of 1:40:27.

I know this may mean nothing to you, but to chubby, baldy me they are the magic numbers. Last year I staggered home in 2 hours and 15 minutes, so I've improved by THIRTY FIVE MINUTES, or two and half minutes a mile.

That means I could run a mile, then play an old Beatles single from beginning to end before the 2009 version of me caught up. (Note to self; develop as a movie idea. Couldn't be worse than Personal Best; logline: When You Run Into Yourself You Run Into Feelings You Never Thought You Had. And he wrote Chinatown).

Of course, I now have delusions of Olympic grandeur because I punched my fab HM time into the Race-Time Predictor (nothing to do with when the Chinese will take over the world) and have been flattered into thinking I could finish the full 26.2 in well under four hours.

Won't happen, if my hobbling 19 miler today is anything to go by, but I'm going to do my darnedest to Follow My Dream/Go On My Journey/Embrace My Moment.

(Rattle of collecting tin)

THE SERIOUS BIT

But I need your help. I'm pulling out all the stops to deliver my first sub-four hour marathon for Trinity Hospice, a truly awesome place:

http://www.trinityhospice.org.uk/

I'm running for them again because they have created a remarkable, healing, tender place for people to come and live every moment of their remaining lives. I may not suffer from cancer, or heart disease but I will, sure as eggs is eggs, die and, if I'm given the gift of managing my life's end, then I know who I'm going to call.

THE SWEEPSTAKE

No-one's picked up on this yet, but I'm going to put in £26.20 in Amazon vouchers to the person who predicts the closest time to my actual finish. Add your guess to the comments.

If you'd rather donate another way email or text me and we'll sort something out.


THE WRAP UP

One more twenty miler then it's Taper Time (the phoney war when you run a lot less than you think you should). It would be great to see friendly faces on the 25th, so let me know if you'll be there and I'll look out for you.

Thank you.


Anthony

PS - fascinating fact: I found a HUGE amount of salt behind my ears today after a long run, enough to season a couple of boiled eggs. Just thought you'd like to know.

THAT DIFFICULT SECOND MARATHON

CARD (White on Black)

If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.

Emile Zatopek.

SCENE 1. INT. DAY. BALANCE PHYSIO. CLAPHAM.

ANTHONY is gushing to his physio PAULA about his first London Marathon.

ANTHONY: Gush, gush, shiny medal, gush gush, best day of my life gush gush wanna do another one quicker gush gush.

PAULA (smiling delphically): Well, if you want to do it quicker, then you need to do interval training, speed work. There's a club that meets at Battersea Park track on Thursday nights. Now, hop up on the table.

ANTHONY (tries to stand up): Can't.

PAULA (smiling even more delphically): Douglas Bader thighs. Who didn't take the cold bath after the race?

ANTHONY (bottom lip going): Too cold. Too too cold.

PAULA (sotto voce): Wuss.

CUT TO:

Magnificent low angle CU (close up) of JOHN MONROE (former European Masters Long Jump champion, and Will Smith's better looking-alike) staring straight down at the lens:

JOHN: 4.48, eh? Not bad for a first marathon. You stick with this and you'll do the next one a lot quicker.

CUT TO:

High angle WS (wide shot) of a teeny tiny ANTHONY nodding like Churchill the Nodding Dog.

MIX TO:

MONTAGE of

ANTHONY cycling to Battersea track in early summer (roses in bud);

ANTHONY chasing after his younger, thinner, fitter club colleagues round the track like an asthmatic, bald Borat;

ANTHONY entering the Southend Half-Marathon and breaking the two hour mark (roses in full bloom);

ANTHONY chasing after his younger, thinner, fitter club colleagues round the track like a slightly less asthmatic Borat;

ANTHONY entering the Wimbledon 10K and breaking the 50 minute mark (roses dead and rotting on the autumn compost heap;

ANTHONY chasing after his younger, thinner, fitter club colleagues round the track like a slightly less asthmatic Borat in winter running kit;

ANTHONY entering the Bedford Half-Marathon and breaking the 1:45 mark (holly wreath on the door);

ANTHONY huddles for warmth next to younger, thinner, fitter club colleagues for Christmas photo.

END OF MONTAGE

And that's the story so far. I've been bitten by the running bug, hooked by the highway hounds, purloined by the pavement pounders.

I'm running London, again; for Trinity Hospice, again (who need the support even more this year); and I'm asking for your help, again.

http://www.trinityhospice.org.uk/

My hope, after all this effort, is to get as close to four hours as I can. Obviously it could all go terribly wrong, but that's what makes it interesting.

This year, I'm running a SWEEPSTAKE, so YOU CAN WIN £26.20 in Amazon vouchers if you predict my finish time. Just add the time you think I'll cross the line in the comments bit of the page. Closest guess wins.

Some folk might prefer to donate in cash. Just email me and I'll send you bank details or an address for cheques.

I know times are tough, so any contribution is appreciated but a pound a mile is a suggestion. And remember, you could win your stake back. How about that for a deal?

Thank you.

Anthony

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 the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.