Here we go again??

So it's nearly March and the London Marathon 2013 is looming.... AGAIN!! Don't let the 2012 reference above put you off this is also the justgiving page for this year's effort. Last year turned into a bit of a disaster, having to pull out a couple of days before the big day. So this year I get another dose of training and you get a chance to sponsor me (perhaps again?!).

If you can't sponsor me for the cause sponsor me for the hilarity of a 40 year old (on 2 March!!) trying to turn back the hands of time to complete quite a long run. Please send abusive, albeit clean, messages of support/ridicule to help the motivation of an increasing training load along with a decreasing ability to defy the laws of gravity (anyone else getting soft around the edges??..)

So many people were really generous last year and in 2010 when I did the first run for Sam Beare. If there's any more in the coffers then it would much appreciated, the Hospice relies heavily on donations to cover their operational costs so any donation really will make a difference..

Please read below to see what went on last year and if you're really interested (or just bored!) you can read about 2010 at www.justgiving.com/26milesformary 

More updates to follow..

2 days to go

Not the news I wanted to share at this stage but regrettably I've just completed the online withdrawal page for this year's London marathon....

Suspected Laryngitis (impossible to get a Dr's appointment over the last 2 days) has sabotaged my 2012 London Marathon plan. Whilst not floored by it, it's cost me my voice and significantly depleted my energy levels leading to a very disappointing but inevitable withdrawal...

The plan is to defer until next year. So at least this doubles the amount of training boredom and pain suffered for your hard earned dosh... So don't despair your kind donations (which are automatically forwarded to Sam Beare every 2 weeks by JustGiving) are not in vain...

Thanks again for your support it means a lot and for those who have given, I promise not to hassle you next year...

Nick 

9 days to go

It’s getting close now! The last week and a half of training has been reasonable, managing 22 miles on Saturday 7, was very slow but at least the miles are in the bank.

The training this time has been different, a reduced 4 times per week from the 5 in 2010. This has certainly reduced the niggles, Catherine, the physio, even miraculously praising the state of my legs. However the reduced amount of miles may well have an effect on how much pace I can muster on the day.

Things were looking good 3 weeks ago, a PB for 18 miles with an encouraging heart rate was pointing towards a potential improvement in time this year but the bug really has had a big knock on effect, pace and heart rate have suffered meaning that predicting a time is difficult at this point. Would like to go sub 4 hours and would love to beat the time from 2010…

But it is what it is, the main thing is to try and get the job done, get this blog read by as many people as possible to help maximize the contribution. So please, if you can, help us out by spreading the word and maybe even digging into those pockets.. We appreciate that times are tight but everything really does help….

3 weeks to go

These things are sent to try us. Just when the training seemed to be going well..

Good pace, feeling strong, plan under control, longest run scheduled to be in the bank 4 weeks before the marathon to give plenty of time to recover before the big day. 

Didn’t quite work out that way, a bug meant no running for 7 days, meaning the scheduled 22 miler and 2 good hard training runs didn’t happen...

So this weekend was all about getting back on the road, a nice run on a beautiful morning with great pal Matt Ford on Sunday was very enjoyable and made a welcome change from the usual solitude of training.

The long run has now been rescheduled for this Thursday leaving 16 days to taper for the marathon on April 22. Not ideal but it is what it is….

More details soon

5 weeks to go

Thanks very much to those who have kindly kick started the fundraising, your generosity is much appreciated, to those who are thinking about it please have a read and see if you’re a little nearer to being persuaded…

Well, who’d have thought it!… Had no idea running could be so dangerous…

28 miles in a weekend is bad enough but a near death experience is a bit too much… It was half way through a run round the Abingdon ring road when the car, skidding to avoid another car carelessly pulling out in front of it, mounted the kerb and ploughed down the pavement which was a dozen strides ahead of me. Small margins eh?? A bit quicker and the D Reg Sierra would’ve been an unwelcome distraction and a little more than a thorn in the side..

 But alls well that doesn’t end in ICU and Sunday’s 18 miles sees another heavy weekend completed.

 2 more big weeks to go and the tapering begins, really not long now so if you fancy tuning in again there’ll be another update before you know it..

As you can see from the photo a blossoming potholing career has been interrupted to compose this...

So, what's the deal..... 39 years old, a beautiful wife and gorgeous1 year old daughter, a house that's just about staying upright, a busy life...... what's missing..... "I know" I thought to myself during a particularly bonkers moment "what's missing in my life is another marathon!"

Of course, even though I have managed to get through one before, I completely forgot what's involved and I have to tell you, it's not a lot of fun right now. Running 4 or 5 times per week, mile after mile of plodding along thinking "Bloody Hell you're fat, slow, too old etc, etc" stiffness, pain, boredom.... But it's not all bad, there's always the pleasure of an ice bath

Why?? 

Well, it's time for another mid life crisis (seem they come in 2 year cycles..) and perhaps we can raise some money again..

Last time was an amazing experience, the day was truly inspirational as was the spectacular generosity of family and friends. We managed to raise over £6,000 in all which still boggles my mind.

I'm hoping that 2 years is a long enough period that you won't be put out to be asked to contribute again - or perhaps for the first time if you were somehow not hassled into giving last time..

And here's what it's for....

Imagine a special environment staffed by the most caring and compassionate people you could hope to come across as you spend your last few days slipping toward the inevitable end that terminal illness brings.

This place is the Sam Beare Hospice in Weybridge, where the mother in law (yes jokes acceptable as Mary liked a laugh but keep them clean please and give a little extra, especially if they're not that funny) spent her last few days. If everyone could spend their last few days in a place that treats people with such care and humility then we'd all fear that stage of our lives a little less.

Sam Beare is a hospice which operates from donations and other fund raising events, it is an AMAZING place and touched our family's life in April 2007.

All money will go straight to the Hospice so they can continue their fantastic work.

Please give as much as you can and also sign up for the Gift Aid which increases the amount received by the charity by up to 25%.

So, if you're able and you fancy helping out a great cause or you just have a sadistic nature that knows that your donation guarantees my participation (agony?).....

My blogs will appear below from time to time, feel free to keep up to date to share the joy of training!!........

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we can raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

6 weeks to go!!!

So, the Virgin London Marathon 2012 is approaching fast, less than 6 weeks in fact, representing a challenge, a challenge that at the end of January seemed out of reach, too far, too difficult, too painful……. However, a hard month of training in February seems to have boosted confidence a little and completion of the 26.2 miles should be on the cards.

 I will aim to send out a little blog type piece each week, with a begging email to elicit some funds for the great cause that inspired this little adventure..............

 Sam Beare Hospice in Weybridge, where Sally’s mother Mary spent her last few days, touched our family 5 years ago with their care and compassion during what was a terribly difficult time. They rely heavily on donations and I’m hoping that by bugging all our friends and family we’ll all be able to help them continue their work.

 A hard weekend of training ahead, in the rain if the forecast is right so spare me a thought on Saturday and/or Sunday… Could use all the good vibes…

 ‘til next time

 Nick