Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
I will be competing in the Edinburgh Marathon on the 31st of May 2009 to raise funds for Team Macmillan, to make the day even more challenging i have set myself the target of breaking a world record in the process.( SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME.)
I will be attempting to beat the record for the`Fastest marathon in Fireman's Uniform' which currently stands at 5hrs 33mins 10 sec. ( the distance is 26.2 miles/42km)
This will be my 9th marathon having competed in the following previously:-
The Great Langdale Marathon, (competing in a National Fire service competition)
New York
London(as a member of Lancs Fire and Rescue Athletics Club, Beat Gordon Ramsey)
La Rochelle(twice 05,07)
Hong Kong( as part of the Firefighter Games in 2006)
White Peak Marathon(offroad marathon)
Edinburgh (completed last years event and enjoyed it so much im going back for more)
I have designed a 12 week progamme in order to get me ready for this challenge and so far so good, i will be averaging around 40 miles of running a week and recently set a new PB at the Bath Half Marathon(1hr 27), however competing in full kit will be the toughest part of the challenge.
I am now in the final week of my training, target this week is reduced to 12 miles up untill the weekend with just the small matter of 26.2miles on race day......
Training so far.....
Week 1- 32 miles, Week 2- 39 miles, Week 3- 43 miles, Week 4- 38 miles, Week 5- 45miles, Week 6-46miles, Week 7-47miles, Week 8-39miles, Week 9-51miles, Week 10 41miles, Week 11 30miles...
Total so far...........
451.61 miles and counting.....ps also doing cycling and swimming when i can, or on my days off.....but only counting miles im running in the total.
I will be travelling up to Edinburgh on Friday in order to get set for the race on Sunday am, fingers crossed the weather plays fair, dont really want it hot, wet or windy....whetever the days brings i will still give it my all.....................
Kit includes Boots, Helmet, Tunic, Wet Legs along with a Breathing Apparatus Set which together weighs in at around 20kg of extra weight.
Dig deep and please make all my hard training and effort worthwhile. Knowing i am doing this for such a worthy cause has helped me so much with motivation during my training, hopefully it will convince you to contribute towards the cause...
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor me now!
POST RACE REPORT...
By the time Sunday came i could not wait to get going however the forecast had me worried...even so the day started well with a shout out on Radio 1 thanks to Chappers and Dave, cheers fellas.....
By the start of the race the temperature was 15oC and around 13000 competitors were desperate to set off while it was still bearable.....
Water shortages and heat stroke hindered thoses not prepared and 160 people during the race required medical attention, 10 were hospitalised, apparently no suffered serious injuries. Minor scuffles were reported to have broken out as water supplies ran dry at points along the course.
The winner was done in 2hrs 18mins 24sec....however at this time i was still short of the half way point, getting to this in a time of 2.33.14 i was way ahead of my schedule even in these conditions and feeling good.....however the heat began to take its toll later on and by 18 miles with no shade and no sign of the weather cooling it was looking ever more difficult.....by 20 miles i had to stop as had realised the target time was now out of my reach....determined to finish it was then a case of surviving and getting to the finish line.....
I eventually crossed the line in a time of 6hrs 28mins 13sec in a possition of 8197, some 4hrs 10mins behind the winner but i finshed, and i will be back to compete again and already intend on making another attempt at the record before the end of the year if i can find a suitable event.....
I am just about walking now some 5 days after the event and have 9 new beautiful blisters to show for my efforts that are healing well......a big thanks to all those involved in the event and those who have supported me along the way, those of you at running club, swim club, and at work, you know who you are, and of course the friends and family who have donated and supported me along the way...massive thanks to Big Dave who followed me round on the day, he needs a bit of work on his motivational speaches but his heart is in the right place, cheers big guy.....!!!
Watch this space i will be back......xxx
