It is amazing what ideas you come up when you get together with your old university buddies for a 30 yr reunion. "Why don't we all do the Great North Run" I suggested.

 

What was even more amazing was that we could remember agreeing to do it the next morning!!

 

So here I am, committed to the cause. "Well", I keep telling myself, "it's only 13.1 miles...not much more than a leisurely stroll. How hard can it be?".

 

Training?? Apart from swimming on holiday, I've not done any real exercise for at least 2 years. I blame my hectic work schedule, but I suspect I know who is really at fault (me). So I will be doing some training, and yes it will be more than starting the day before - tempting though that is...

 

I'm giving myself 3 months. That's training time, not how long I expect to live afterwards.

 

And why have I chosen the Alzheimer's Society? Because I've been at the sharp end of this since my Mum was diagnosed with it 4 yrs ago. It's the biggest 'hidden' blight in this country, and yet it's criminal the way people are dealt with. So I'll just do what little I can to help.

 

UPDATE - 21/11/11

 

Sorry this update is late, but in spite of all everything I did it and it all worked out pretty damn well! I won't give you the full sob story of the agonizing pain my knees and feet suffered during training (those of you who know me well will already be familiar with this).

 

Suffice to say that I had every pain reducing aid I could get hold of, including knee supports and foot supports. I probably looked like Forest Gump just before his shackles broke. But with painkillers and regular physio (thanks Kate, you were brilliant!), on race day itself I had had no problems whatsoever. Not bad if I say so myself, especially as I hadn't run further than 8 miles before. Pretty respectable position too (seventeen thousand and something), with a time of 2hrs 17mins.

 

Having reached such a physical peak I have now decided to hang up my running shoes and officially announce my retirement from distance running. I know this will be a devastating blow to the UK Olympic committee, given that we are so close to 2012, but my decision is final!

 

Anyway, a big, big thank you to all of you who sponsored me - it is greatly and genuinely appreciated!!

 

I also collected just under £300 in cash donations, and so have made a single donation online to cover this. Thanks to those guys too.

 

 

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