Story
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Well that's it! The Liverpool Maratthon is over and done with. Let me tell you that running 26.2 miles on a Sunday morning is no picnic. My admiration and congratulations goes out to anyone who attempts it as a challenge.
All the training that went into getting to the day still didn't prepare me fully for the agony ahead. We set off at 9.30am sharp in Birkenhead Park and I quickly settles into what I thought was a nice gentle rythym. The first mile swept by in just over 8 minutes and so did the second. I knew that my average pace should be nearer to 9 minutes at this stage, but it was impossible to slow down. Everyone else around me seemed to be doing the same. The run down from New Brighton was fabulous, the view across to Liverpool is unique and I would recommend anyone has a walk on that side of the river. By the time i hit 10 miles I was still only 85 minutes into the race.
Halfway came at the bottom of the tunnel and a few wags were shouting and singing to hear the echoe of their voices. I blipped over halfway at 1:48 thinking this can only get worse.
The sound of the drums banging as we came out of the tunnel was tremendous. I even managed a quick pirouette at that point, stunnning the hundreds of spectators - they must have thought I was mad!
And then the sight I was looking forward - no not the Liver Building, but my family waiting to cheer me on. Wendy handed me a few Jelly Babies and I was off again.
Out through the town and up Upper Parliament Street I was getting on for 18 miles. And then the dreaded cramp in my legs started and I began to tire. At 20 miles I was still well under 3 hours thinking that I might just manage 3:45. But I already knew that I would never manage the last 6 miles in 50 minutes, a feat that I can do every time I go out. I had to stop to stretch my legs to keep the cramp at bay. The last 6 miles was painful and at times I felt like stopping. But then, why should I when I was running for Karan and the Astro Fund? How would it feel if I just gave up. I don't give up that easily. so I soldiered on and eventually after exactly 4 hours and 4 seconds I crossed the finishing line.
What really surprised me was my own reaction. I burst into tears!. Those of you that know me well know that I can be emotional, but I just wasn't preapred for it. Why I cried I do not know; relief at finishing, disappointment at not getting under 4 hours for my first ever marathon, or something altogether different. I don't think I will ever know.
Anyway, it was great to see friends and family at the finishing line. I can't thank them enough for coming to watch me. Straight away I felt that I would never want to do it again, but 48 hours later I'm already thinking about my next one.
And now for the reason why I ran the Liverpool Marathon this year!
I have always been blessed with good health and I am very thankful for that. When a good friend of my wife suggested that I run the Marathon for a charity I realised that there are many people in this world facing more challenges in their everyday lives than me.
One such person is Karan Waller. She is the beautiful girl in the picture. I'm the ugly specimen on the right! I've known Karan for 14 years and she is married to my wife's nephew, Ian Waller. They have two beautiful young daughters. In 2009 Karan was diagnosed with Grade 2 astrocytoma, a form of brain tumour. Karan had surgery in 2009 and the majority of the tumour was removed. She has found out recently that the tumour is once again growing back, so on the 21st August she went back to the Walton centre for an awake open craniotomy. I'm pleased to report that the operation was a success and Karan is now back home recuperating.
You can read Karan's story by going to the link below and clicking on Life Stories.
Karan has displayed such courage in facing the greatest challenge in her life.
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