Firstly a very big thank you again to all those who sponsored me for last years London Marathon, the final total was £1500,  my photo is there to prove that I actually crossed the line and got the medal!

I wrote the following shortly after finishing the 2006 marathon 

Well what a day folks. Left house with Miss Penny at 5.30 on sun morn arrived Greenwich around 8.30 when it started to rain. Thousands upon thousands of people changing into all kinds of gear from sleek 21 century running outfits to mobile bananas, rhinos, caterpillars, divers,spongbob squarepants et al.The rain came down.

    

 

A quick rub down with some oil to get the legs going, energy bar, banana, and sports drink and walk to the start, all 40,000 of us.The rain came down. But the air crackled with excitement, the gun sounded and were off, the rain stopped.

    

 

A sea of mobile humanity like a giant wave gathering momentum inched their way to the start line, with little old me stuck in the middle like a sardine in the middle of the tin. 20 mins later having been talking with folks running for the first time, 10th time , doctors, a nurse, and a bloke in a rhino suit, we crossed the line. Frantic waving to the cameras in the vain hope of getting on the tele and starting the journey with a smile on your face of the insane distance of 26.2 miles. Oh what joy in your heart just to be there and be a part of something so big and yet so individual as every one of the 40,000 having to battle their own demons as to the reason why they were there.

    

 

So off we were into the unknown everyone hoping to break their own world record, such a concentrated mass of human emotions is hard to imagine, you just have to do it to understand. Young and old, black and white, able bodied and not, big and small, they were all there with one aim, to finish.

   

 

The first 6 miles, still no rain, still no pain, the crowds, the noise, the bands, the colours, unbelievable, so many people, so many feet, where did they all come from? where do they all belong? If I can just get the mileage under 20 miles , the first goal, then we will see. At 6 miles the first familiar face miss P, oh what joy out of the solitude, but as running she passed all to soon and we are on to the next challenge. Still no rain, feeling really good, this is a cake walk.

    

 

The crowds getting bigger, the sounds louder, people shouting your name all the way , you can do it you can do it, have a drink have a sweet have my support cus I'm glad its you and not me. Still no more rain and on to the 8 mile mark where I spot a familiar figure, the 18 stone frame of Steve Redgrave, hi Steve I say good luck, he returns the greeting, and I swallow hard as the greatest Olympian of all time sends me on my way.

    

 

still no rain but I continue to drink for England, much water and lucazade, many sweets and energy bars, have to eat have to eat, as the next goal comes  into view, Tower Bridge, HALF WAY.

    

 

What a sight as I glide up the onto the bridge, two more familiar faces, Tom and Keith, their smiles lifted me 10 feet off the ground, I can run forever, I am invincible, over the crown down past Colin Jackson interviewing for the BBC , shall I stop, no, feeling to good. The crowds getting bigger, and louder, unusual sounds from the many bands, and with 13 miles gone the smells from the cafes, people with bbq's, give me a hot dog, now please. But no must concentrate on next goal Canary Wharf .

    

 

Mile after mile of black top road, the mind starting to play tricks, its starting to rain, 15 miles , is that a pain in your leg, no its fine thanks, bugger off and leave me alone, leave me in peace with my quest. Not so hasty grasshopper, do not underestimate your challenge.......

   

 

The roads getting narrow around this place they call docklands, tall glass building at 16 miles begin to reflect much pain on the faces of many of its participants, this is starting to get real for many...

  

 

Raining hard now as I approach 17 miles, many of my fellow suffers with the the big D, are now slowing , wondering if they are high or low, have I eaten enough, drunk enough, done enough training, its to much we have to stop, will I get going again, feel unwell

  

 

A doctor takes a look at me, at quick check reveals blood sugar level way to low, sit down you're not going anywhere until this goes up, bugger, what if she says I cant continue, make a plan to sneak out the back, but no, the right calf cramps up, whats up sir , I cant move my right leg Ive been sitting here to bloody long, along comes a physio, get the leg working, now starting to feel a bit better, time to move on. Thanks to you all for putting me back together as I head out towards the 18 mile mark in the pouring rain.

  

 

The crowds are incredible, their appetite for encouragement knows no bounds, as we pound on and on and on. The rain now is heavy as we pass the Tower of London and I start to loose track of where I am and of reality to having just been overtaken by a man running backwards, I am not right, I am staring to suffer, and start to will for the finish, this is not fun anymore.

  

 

7 miles to go, hell hath no fury like burning cramping legs, a giant 50foot caterpillar inches past me in the rain, my friend in the gorilla suit stops and removes his head, pit stop needed or he will collapse. The crowds are willing you on to your ultimate goal of your very own finishers medal, it is now all consuming, and then in the mist and rain a familiar voice again, its Tom, hi Dad hows it going? a little further on miss P and mr K are ready with more smiles and energy bars, a spring in my step again for half a mile or so and then the pain again and that horrible little voice inside your head, bugger off and leave me alone, nearly there nearly there.

  

 

Who could have possibly have dreamt up such an assault on the human body, but no everyone else is in the same boat, get on with it, but its tough now the legs are refusing to work, and cramping up by the minute, cant eat or drink anymore , feel sick, Big Ben, its Big Ben, nearly there, and 1 mile from home my 3 familiar friends smiling in the rain as the old war horse limps past, go on its only a mile you can do it, so with one  last supreme effort I round the last corner with Buckingham Palace on my left, put one last smile upon my face and run across the finish line to be presented with the medal everyone wanted when the start gun went off all those hours ago.......

   Why did I do it..............................  because I can

As many of you know I am a 50 year old type 1 diabetic who refuses to let anything stand in my way, so.....

THIS YEARS 2007 CHALLENGE IS THE LONDON TRIATHLON 4/5 AUGUST AT THE  EXCELL  DOCKLANDS ARENA

The triathlon consists of 3 disciplines and I intend to complete the cycling leg of the event.

I am also taking part in a 6 hour static bike endurance event at my local Fitness First gym in Portsmouth at the end of March.

Your sponsorship for both of these events will go directly to Diabetes UK towards the ongoing research to find  ways of helping diabetics lead a better quality of life and to find a cure for this ever increasing terrible condition that is afflicting more and more people. 

 

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Paul