I have done many dumb and stupid things in my life but believe I have reached the pinnacle of idiocy with my marathon this year!

 

Firstly...I DID IT!!!  Admittedly the time is more likely to challenge the fun runner who carried a washing machine than a ‘good for my age’ category....but I am very pleased with my 5hrs 26 mins and 5 secs.

 

Pleased because of the serious lack of training this year.  It is no word of a lie to say that my training consisted of a half marathon 3 weeks ago!  True, there has been some hockey played this year but no dedicated running!!

 

And that has to be the dumbest decision!!!

 

You’ll be glad to hear that I am now paying the price for my foolishness!  I can hardly walk and Sunday & Monday nights could not sleep a wink! – I was is an awful lot of pain!!

 

But I’m hoping that my suffering will be soothed by some donations to my charities – Heart of Kent Hospice and The Rochester Cathedral Choir.

 

So whether it be out of pity, amazement, shock or even, dare I say it, ‘admiration’ I do hope you’ll feel generous and support me and my charities.

 

Thanks

 

Paul

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Some of you may well be aware that I am running this year’s London Marathon!  Some of you will have probably dropped that cup of tea in amazement!  But the majority of you are, no doubt, looking skyward and asking the questions "When will he learn?  What is wrong with him? Can a man really BE that stupid?" 

Last year my training and progress was interrupted by a series of injuries and a soft tissue infection which left me unable to walk for a week, 2 weeks before the marathon!!

This year I decided that the best way to avoid training injuries.......was not to train!!

Instead I began playing hockey after a 10 year absence from the sport.  Needless to say this has helped me keep reasonably fit (despite tearing both my hamstrings and damaging my left knee and calf) but long distance running has been kept “short” except for a recent outing in Paddock Wood where I completed a half marathon. 

So, since I can still walk and haven’t damaged anything too recently I will find myself on the start line this Sunday and hope to finish the marathon some time Sunday afternoon (and hopefully not early evening!)

Last year I was able to raise a fantastic £3,000 in total.  This was extremely generous of everyone who donated.  I have set a more modest target this year but, as ever, I am looking to raise as much as I can so I do hope you’ll feel that you’ll be able to sponsor me something.

Once again I am looking for sponsorship for my 2 chosen charities, The Heart of Kent Hospice and Rochester Cathedral Choir and I’ve highlighted the reasons why below.

 The Heart of Kent Hospice

On 28^th September 2000 my father lost his battle against cancer and my mum has chosen to support the Hospice that cared for my dad during his last few days.  The Hospice is funded solely through the donations and sponsorship it can raise and help support both patients and families dealing with terminal illness. 

 Rochester Cathedral Choir

Unlike Canterbury, its much wealthier and grander sibling, Rochester Cathedral receives little external funding whilst the choir receives even less.  This year the choirs have tours in 2011 and 2012 as well as wanting to remember one of its long standing patrons, Trevor Lee, who died last year and his generosity over the years has helped the choir achieve so much.  There is no funding available from the cathedral so the costs are being covered by the parents and fundraising events.  The choirs sing between 10 and 15 hours a week on top of their schoolwork and often find themselves without a weekend break.  Easter weekend will see duties from 5:00am to 4:30pm – AND NO EASTER EGGS UNTIL THE END!

So please dig deep and donate now.