Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
The 2010 London Marathon is taking place on my 48th birthday, 25th April so, after years of thinking "I'd like to do that" this one seems to be the right one. When The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) offered the opportunity to do it for them, the decision was made for me really.
The challenge is one thing, the other is the overwhelming admiration I have for those people for whom the charity does it's work and this is a chance to give something back - I really hope you'll help me. I'll try and explain further.
By the time the marathon comes around, it will be just over 14 years since I had a pretty major operation on my back. Compared with what many, many others have to live with my 'problems' are miniscule but they do exist. As much as I try to do to combat it and despite the operation which left my lower back literally bolted together, it isn't and won't get any better. In fact it's deteriorated further which everyone involved hopes is the end of it but there's no guarantee - simply put it will always be an issue. The only meaningful exercise I can do is walking, cycling or swimming; strengthening work for the core muscles I do independently or with a trainer but it's the walking that got me fit enough to get back to work and continues to be my main focus. That, in and of itself means that a 26.5 mile 'walk' will be a challenge. I can't run it, I have to walk so won't be breaking any records. I will, however be trying to cut the time from the average (which would be about 6.5 hours) to under 5.5 hours, just to try and make it interesting.
Add to that two (related) things. Between us, my wife and I have 6 wonderful children ranging from 19 to 8, all fit, well and (we like to think!) happy. We're reminded often that on balance, we've been extremely lucky and are very much aware that the law of averages has worked in our favour. Many people, including some friends haven't been that lucky and that's the other reason I want to do this and, with your help, to give something back.
I will get to that tape, I will get that medal for me and, with your help I'll be able to make a donation to a charity that does something meaningful for people who haven't been as lucky as we have been. Please, please, please dig deep - everything helps.
I'll be updating this over the next few months so stay tuned!!
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So please dig deep and donate now.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you so much for helping me to help someone else
APRIL 8th
Well, with just over two weeks to go, training's going fine. I have a c20 mile session planned for the weekend after which it's time to start tapering down ahead of the big one.
Heartfelt thanks to all who've donated so far, I really appreciate it. To all of those still pondering............any time is good but it would be nice to hit the target before the day!
