MARATHON REPORT

So much for the mild weather yesterday! It was a blistering day without a cloud in the sky when I first arrived atGrenwichPark. This was going to be hot so I took onboard more fluid to give myself the best start.

Everyone prepared themselves with the usual stretching/jogging/lubrication and general OCD behaviour by checking that you still had everything you had checked for 2 minutes ago just in case the fairies had come along and stolen them. Then we all moved in to the starting enclosure. Not long now and still no sign of any cloud cover. The gun went off and 10 minutes later I crossed the line and started on the 26.2 miles between me and The Mall. Everything was feeling pretty good.

1/2 mile in my race took a change for the worse. As with so many others who took on extra water a comfort break was needed not long after the gun went off.  I dashed towards the ditch, stopped too quickly and the long wet grass took both feet from under me and I crashed on my coccyx and tumbled into the ditch. I felt the jar - not good. I stretched out as best I could before starting off again. Everything seemed ok.

The first few miles are all about survival as I tried and find space for my feet and avoid any discarded clothing or dropped items. I saw one girl stop to pick up her water bottle only to take out the girl behind who had no chance of stopping - at least my tumble was on grass and I didn't have 10,000 people steaming up behind.

I would be seeing Laura and the girls, my brother and mum & dad around 11/12 miles in Bermondsey so there wasn't much to think about for a while and I soaked in the atmosphere and counted the number of Rhinos (four) as I passed them – hoping they wouldn’t be catching me later on.

There was no Cutty Sark just a load of boarding and several narrow bottlenecks when everybody started falling over each other again. Best avoided I thought and took the cautious route.

As I approached the family I could feel my hip and lower back with each stride and whilst not too painful it was certainly not helping my running. I spent a minute or so with family and took the kisses and cuddles with me as I made forTowerBridge. There are a few standout moments and this was one of them. It is a great feeling to crossTowerBridgeand know that theSouth Londonleg is over. Not long after I passed the half way mark and received a boost from the PCUK team at 14 miles. I ran the first half in 2hrs 10mins, slightly slower than normal.

The next section was all about grunt and effort – if there is a dull and tedious section of the marathon then heading out ofCanaryWharfto the tip of the Isle of Dogs and back again is it. These are the miles that time forgot and a number of people hit the wall. I was feeling it in my legs at this point but pushed through as best I could, my pace slowed. By mile 19 I was in pain and just after 20 miles my legs were feeling like concrete blocks and my hip and back felt punished at every step – I hit “the wall”. I had to make the decision of walking and sorting myself out or risk not finishing at all. Walking, even half a mile would mean missing my target time but this was no time for pride. With the sun baking down I took on another bottle of water and started a half mile of walking and stretching. This helped clear the legs down and got me going again.

From then on I was able to run/shuffle a little easier. The pain had reduced or perhaps I just didn’t notice it any more and I was pretty much zoned out. Between 21 and 23/24 miles I had no idea how far along I had gone. What I did know was that Laura and the others were waiting for me past Big Ben. I could just see Big Ben round the corner of the river and it looked a long way away.

“One foot after the other. That is the only way to go now” I thought.

I hazily remember the likes of London Eye gleaming in the corner of my eye but by now I was fixed on the road and continuous roar of the crowd. I had long since ditched the last of my energy gel as it was triggering my gag reflex rather than get me going. Jelly Babies became my energy fix and I have to thank all those on the Embankment for fuelling my new addiction.

Big Ben, yes, Big Ben! There’s the turn. I held back the wave of emotion that had been driving me on for the last mile and new that somewhere up ahead was everything and everyone I was running for.

But where exactly were they? I had received a call to say they were along the straight by the balloons. How far along and the colour of which had been lost in my haze and I started to look from side to side just like a tennis fan following the flight of the ball. 3/4 of the way up there they were. More kisses and cuddles (my 2 year old was not impressed with ‘wet daddy’ at this stage) and I pushed on. I must have only 1,000 meters to go. Birdcage walk gave me a lift but not to my running pace and once we turned the corner to the Mall the finish line beckoned. I completely missed my brother and father with 200 meters to go but I could only see the finish line now.

80 meters to go and I think the announcer picked up on my pain as he called out for me to keep going. In my mind I ran faster in reality I was still shuffling along the best I could but I knew I had done it and everything that hurt over the last 26 miles left my mind as I crossed the line and thanked the Lord that I would never have to do that again. Ever.

My unofficial time was 4.48 – 18 mins over my aim but on such a hot day I was just happy to make it round.

Photos to follow.

James

----------------

23rd April - 3 days to go

"Do my knees hurt in anticipation or should I be worried?"

Perhaps paranoia is starting to get the best of me but with my back and ribs needing a physio session yesterday I an starting to worry about the smallest things. I look at people swinging suitacases and rucksacks around at the station and pray than one won't be cannoned into my knees or dropped on my feet. I've stopped taking in the view when walking instead I scour the floor to avoid uneven paving slabs and broken curbs. Driving to the station each day I leave an extra few meters from the car infront and reduce speed if there is another car approaching the same junction. I am, like most runners this weekend, starting to fret that something will stop me running on Sunday and put all that hard work to waste. In short, I am on High Alert. 

This may seem overly protective and perhaps it is but being so close to the main event fear of the unknown and uncontrolled does play with your mind and turn an otherwise normal streetgoer into a paranoid wreck.

Writing this I noted two words 'unkown' and 'uncontrolled' neither of which I can do anything about so it is time to take a chill pill draw the charity raffle this afternoon and enjoy the horse racing at Sandown Park tomorrow (I though that would be a good relaxer before the weekend). I collected my runner number and timing chip yesterday so all there is left to do is hydrate and eat, eat, eat over the next few days.

This may be my last post before Sunday so thank you everyone and remember it is "never to late to donate"

James

---------------

22nd April - 4 days to go

Sunday's marathon is fast approaching and I am down to short 10/15 mins runs to keep me ticking over.

I have completed 4 half marathons, a 16 mile race, endured mountainous courses from Hell,  blistered feet, chaffing, black toenails and the obligatory aching knees - and I haven't even run the big race yet! But on the plus side I am fitter than I have been in many years, met a great number of fellow runners along the way, dropped over half a stone and received so much support from everyone I know that it really does warm the cockles. Family and friends are due to line the second half of the course and I am a bit emotionally apprehensive about seeing my family after crossing Tower Bridge. At least I should be able to speak at that point in the race - not so sure about the finish. 

So am I ready? I have to say that "Yes!" I am - and looking forward to the run in a nervous laughter sort of way.

STRIVING FOR SURVIVAL

-----------------

Come in Runner 33357 you time is nearly up.

It's official. I'll be heading off from the Red Start in Grenwich on Sunday 26th April.

Kingston 16 race this Sunday, as long as I can fix a dislodged mid-rib that is giving me grief at the moment.

----------------

A good article in The Mid Sussex Times this week. This is the second local paper to pick up the story and it is producing great awareness for PCUK. No donations off the back of it yet but with the radio air time we are certainly getting the word out.

I am planning a local raffle to raise some more money - if anyone has contacts who might sponsor a prize let me know. james.harding@cheviot.co.uk

----------------

Race 4/8 - Marlow 1/2 marathon

Another hot day but a much flatter course. I finished in 1hr 56min having managed (just) to hold off a stomach bug which laid me low for the rest of the day.

Two weeks of training until the Kingston 16 mile race on 5th April.

------------------

Race 3/8 - Hasting 1/2 Marathon

A very hot day to run and uphill for the first 8 miles but a good run and, again, I finished in 1 hr 58 min.

Marlow next weekend and that will be flat!

--------------------------------

Brighton 1/2 Marathon finished in 1 hr 58 min.

BBC Southern Counties Radio news interview went out in the morning reports and Sussex Express article due on Thursday 26th Feb.

Knees hurt but muscles OK.

-------------------------

I have upped my fundraising target to see how close we can get to £10k before London at the end of April.

Every penny counts and all very much appreciated at PCUK.

-----------------------

TW 1/2 marathon completed in 1 hr 54 min 20 secs. Shattered. Big hills and a fast pace.

Left knee is complaining somewhat so I am keeping tabs on that ahead of Brighton this Sunday. Although flatter Brighton will be run at Marathon pace so don't expect anything under 2 hours this time!

--------------------------

SMASHED THE TARGET - WELL DONE EVERYONE

My first race is this Sunday (15th Feb) and will be a case of getting myself round as Tunbridge Wells is known as a toughie with a couple of tricky hills 2/3rds of the way round.

Let's hope the rain holds off!

I have also entered a 16 mile race in Kingston at the start of April. Laura and I ran this in 2003 and found it a good set up. Early start though 8.30am!

-----------------------------

FANTASTIC EVERYONE

****** £4,500  *******

LET'S KEEP GOING

James

28/01/09

-----------------------

I've started a blog on realbuzz to track my training and running woes

http://www.realbuzz.com/blogs/u/hardinguk/one-foot-after-the-other/

26th January 2009

-----------------------

Update

Having just broken the £4,000 mark I am absolutely delighted and hope that another £500 or more is achievable over the coming months.

Thank you everyone.

------------------

20th January - TRAINING & NEW LOCAL BUSINESS SPONSORS UPDATE

Training is going well and I have my first race in just under a month. There is still plenty of work to do before I can run 13 miles by next month but it is a good target and keeps me out on the road.

I realise that times are tough and truly appreciate all your support and I am delighted to welcome two local businesses (mOma Foods in London & Chandlers Building Supplies in Sussex) who have decided to support my training and fundraising. To find out more go to:

www.momafoods.co.uk (the mOma Breakfast products are fantastic - you'll find their stalls at most London mainline stations)

www.chandlersbs.co.uk (local Sussex Builder and Building Supplier - the clue is in the name!)

These are my race entries over the coming months.

Tunbridge Wells ½Marathon(Feb)

Brighton ½Marathon(Feb)

Hastings ½Marathon(March)

Marlow ½Marathon(March)

LONDON MARATHON (April)

Brighton 10k Heroes Race (May 2009 – post marathon + fancy dress)

BUPA London 10,000 (June/July) – post marathon

Thank you for all your support

James

--------------------------------------------

Hello everyone,

It has been a tough decision to run the London Marathon again so I truly appreciate all your support and donations.

Some of you will remember that Laura and I completed the London Marathon together in 2003. Well, that was then and this is now. Next April six years will have passed since I put my running shoes on and it is going to be a real test getting this flabby body back in shape and persuading it to near cripple itself all over again...but I have good reason.

The last 18 months have been a little tricky with a 10 month recovery from snapping my Achilles in August 2007 and most recently dad being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2008. I am pleased to say that dad's operation has been successful and thanks to an early diagnosis he is well on his way to recovery. Not everyone is so lucky.

For a while we did not know whether the outcome was going to be a number of years or a number of weeks. The latter being too common a prognosis for a high percentage of patients. But dad is still here and we continue to thank the surgical team and research funding that goes in to helping fight such an horrific cancer. Without them Isobel and Amelia would never have the opportunity to get to know their grandfather and I would be without a most caring and devoted father.

All of your support and donations will be gratefully received.