Story
Dear Friends
I am delighted to say that I have now completed my first, and probably last half marathon. If I had known how difficult it was going to be to complete the 13.3 miles around the streets of Newcastle I would probably not have embarked on such a foolhardy challenge, but I did and I am delighted to say I have lived to tell the tale, albeit a little battered and bruised, minus one big toenail and with legs that feel like lumps of lead and a walk that makes me look like I have just had a vasectomy – but I would imagine a vasectomy is much less painful than lugging almost 23 stone around a half marathon circuit.
I was very fortunate to have two friends run with me – Allan Guy and Shaun Fryer. Without their support and encouragement I would never have made the finish line, so my thanks go out to both of them for their support.
I finished in 37,067th place out of 52,000 starters, which means that there were almost 15,000 taking part who were less fit than me – a very sobering thought!
As you will see if you visit my JustGiving website my efforts have not been in vain. At present the total including gift aid stands at £7,823 and I am very hopeful of achieving my £10,000 goal and would therefore encourage you to make a donation if you have not already done so, or to make a further donation now I have completed the run to assist me in reaching my target! As you all know Barnardo’s is very dear to my heart and I would very much like to raise £10,000 for them.
I would encourage you all to get involved in something like this – if I can do it you certainly can. Obviously events like this don’t just happen without hours and hours of training! My training regime consisted of two four miles walks and a couple of weeks in the sun in Dubai relaxing with Wendy. The only sacrifice I made was not to have a drink for two weeks and I am sure you will all understand how difficult that was for me! Wendy and I flew back from Dubai, arriving back in Leeds at about 7pm on Saturday evening – the day before the run. We travelled to Newcastle early on the Sunday morning to miss the traffic, arriving at the start with a couple of hours to spare. It was a fantastic day and I am chuffed to bits that I completed the race. I have only one regret – I should really have refused Martin Lel’s invitation to pace make for him for the first ten miles and I do think that resulted in me peaking a little early. Notwithstanding the injuries and the stiff legs it was a fantastic day and it just goes to show even though you have the physique of an elephant, providing you have the heart of a lion almost anything can be achieved.
Thanks once again for your donations and thanks in eager anticipation for any of you who want to make further donations or donate for the first time.
Phil