Here's the 'Why' - for an update on how I'm doing, scroll to the end...
It was my eldest son's 18th birthday on January 31st. Nothing special there then... Except that 12 years ago we were told that he had an incurable liver disease and would probably not make it to 7 or 8.
Then we met a Belgian surgeon-come-miracle-worker at Birmingham Childrens' Hospital, and after a weekend of around 10+ hours of surgery, Ed left hospital the followiong Friday. The rest - as they say - is history. Ever since then I have been making whatever contributions I can to the Children Liver Disease Foundation, a chartity for children and parents who find themselves in unenivable circumstances.
So now, pushing 52, I find myself entered in my first ever marathon - London, April 2010 - and who better to run for than the CLDF? In January I set myself a goal of running some 700,000m in training for the big event - and so far so good!
With the travel and hotel already booked for the big weekend, it won't be any lack of trying that would fail to see me on the start line - nor cross the finish line!
If you can help the CLDF by sponsoring me, I'd be really grateful. Even the smallest amount will help children - and their parents - who find themselves in a place no-one would wish them to be, and who may not be quite as lucky as Ed and I.
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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
...And how am I doing?
Apr 18th.
So, here we are. Just one week away. In 7 days time - one way or another - it will all be over!
It gets real when you see the adverts for their coverage appearing on the BBC...
And my knees have just about given up. No more running (after a brisk-ish 9k yesterday) until next Sunday, primarily to give my complaining joints a rest. Over the last week or so, every step on every run has been accompanied by pain - I'm just hoping that a week of rest, bruphen rubs and pain killers, will be enough to see me through.
My original goal - 4 hrs 30 mins - has realistically gone out of the window now, even though some time ago I was beginning to look for something maybe 15 minutes faster. Right now it's about getting to London Bridge second time (after around 22 miles) and then slogging out the rest.
One shot at at it... Wish me luck!!
Apr 1st.
And then you get ill. Nothing serious, but a headcold and bad sinus pain that kept me off the road for a week. Managed 9 miles last Sunday and a short run mid-week. Tomorrow's the tester. Last big weekend before it's time to start the taper. Aiming to run 20+ this weekend - more from a mental perspective than anything else. If I can nail that (and my knee holds up!) then I can add a little more positive feeling to the nervous excitement I'm already feeling.
If you can sponsor me, I'd really appreciate adding your name to all the great people who've already pledged to support me.
Mar 20th.
Real low point last weekend. New shoes = blisters. Tried to run three days in a row but failed to run anything of value miserably. "Junk miles".... Felt suddenly over-trained. Luckily last week was scheduled to be a light week anyway, so didn't do much. Then this morning - in constant rain - went out to get some reasonable miles under my belt and ran 11, and felt pretty comfortable all the way! The easy week has worked wonders! I feel just about as fit as I'm going to get now, so it's just a question of those last long runs (next weekend and then over Easter), protecting my knees, and then easing down to be fresh for the big day...
Mar 6th.
Now over 16 miles for my last training run - though I made the mistake of taking a very hilly route..! I've now run over half-marathon distance for each of the last three weekends, which must mean something! From my original training target, I've managed to knock-off the first 400,000m, but I'm considering adjusting my schedule slightly between now and April 25th to protect my knees as much as possible. Perhaps two or three more big runs before then; certainly one that breaks the 20 mile barrier...
Feb 28th.
Just over 15 miles yesterday - the furthest I've ever run. Now just four more big runs in the schedule before Marathon day. Time to get that new pair of shoes and break them in so that they're really comfy in April...
Feb 19th.
They say it's all about time on your feet... Big weekend this weekend. The goal to get to 2 hours running and/or a minimum of half distance. The result? A half-marathon training run in a little under 1 hr 55min. Pleased with that - especially as I feel really comfortable aerobically. The challenge will be the bio-mechanical stuff; especially my knees! Next weekend aiming for a run of around 15 miles. 220,000m down, 500,000 to go! Fingers crossed!
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