Story
Octavia Boy has Marathon Fever...
Hello to all my regular Marathon blog readers! This is my final blog to tell you about how I got on running in this year’s Virgin London Marathon for the Octavia Foundation.
After months of preparation, I was all set for the big day. Normally, the day before the marathon is a time to really take it easy. Put one’s feet up. Eat some pasta and focus on that sprint finish that always gets the crowd excited.
On Saturday morning at 2am, however, I wasn’t woken up by the excitement of the ‘day before’. Instead, I was woken by a fever, which stopped me sleeping and eating properly. Being a determined chap, I wasn’t going to give up that easily, and by the afternoon, I managed to walk into town with my dear Clare to get aspirin, paracetamol, electrolyte replacement and isotonic drinks. By the evening, I had lost my temperature and was getting better. Relatively speaking.
So, at 6am on Sunday morning, I got up and decided to at least get to the start line. Still sweating.
I lined up at the start line thinking, “I’ll add a minute a mile. That’ll be fine.” For the first six miles I felt ok. Then I had to stop to use the facilities a couple of times and at
eight miles I realised, “I can’t run anymore.” A strange feeling for someone who could quite comfortably run 20 miles and who had been focussing on a time of 3 hours 44 minutes and 57 seconds. There was nothing left in the tank and my tummy was in no mood to be shaken about.
But I carried on. An 18 mile walk. Lots of people cheering, “you are doing really well!” and me thinking, “no I’m not!” It was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I wrestled with frustration and discomfort for mile after mile. I was overtaken by rhinos (a herd no less), Lorraine Kelly, and even a man with a fridge on his back (I thought I had it bad). I could only watch as Danger Mouse and a Womble battled it out on front of me.
But I did it! After an incredible 7 hours and 10 minutes, with the crowds still giving heartening applause, I even managed a final sprint to the line. Trademark.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me; friends and colleagues, consultants and contractors. It was really motivating and kept me going when the going got tough. Seriously, a BIG THANK YOU! I have raised about £2,500 so far. Particular thanks to Durkan and Mears who became my main sponsors, and to the Foundation for giving me the chance to run for them.
Yours in thinking about the next one…
David C