*NEWSFLASH* 2011 MARATHON ENTRY CONFIRMED!
See link below:
http://www.justgiving.com/Keith-Wootten
Hello and thanks for calling.
I'm running the London Marathon (all 26 miles 385 yards of it) on 13th April 2008 and am collecting donations for the Duchess of Kent House Trust in Reading. This exemplary organisation nursed my mother during her last few weeks and made everthing as happy as it could be in the circumstances.
Please sponsor me online. Donating through this site is simple, fast, totally secure and efficient: Justgiving process donations quickly and automatically reclaim 28% tax for UK taxpayers - their commission is probably less than the charity's processing costs. Duchess Of Kent House Trust will receive your money within days of your donation.
I'll update this page from time to time as things progress. The first step was to buy some shiny new trainers and go-faster socks. Eight short runs so far (well, it's new year and cold) and I'm booked in for the Reading and Fleet Half Marathons in March.
Captain Slog 3/3/2008:
Well, Reading went quite well and I finished in 6764th place in 2:01:36 - not a personal best, but better than feared - no walking and a steady pace. My last half was 2 years ago and rubbish. It's the day after and I'm pretty comfortable which is also quite pleasing. I feel a burst of over-confidence coming on...
Captain's Blog: Stardate 17/3/2008
Fleet was a mudbath at the start/finish, raining most of the way, biting headwind halfway round but a good course with some nice rural bits. 1406th place in 1:59:43 means that at this rate of improvement I'll be world champion in about 16 months! Again, quite comfortable today.
Captain's Fog: 26/3/2008
No more chocolate eggs, I swear. As for Tony's suggestion of a four hour target, "Ye canna change the laws of physics", to quote Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott. The speed of heavy is as inviolable as the speed of light. Beam me up, someone.
DON'T PANIC! 4/4/2008
I suppose I could change my name and emigrate, or perhaps borrow a canoe and dissappear in a tragic 'accident'. A nice surprise at my Tae Kwon-Do class last night when one of the guys made a generous, unsolicited donation and several others joined in, including pocket money from young Ben. www.hedtkd.com if you want to get fit with nice people.
The sponsorship forms at work are doing quite well too, despite the distinct lack of enthusiasm from HR.
Just one minor hurdle to overcome...
Inevitability 11/04/08
Less than two days to go - no injuries or illnesses so far. I collected my running number ( 16632 ) and various accoutrements from somewhere in the wilds of Docklands on Wednesday morning, which sadly meant that I had to miss what I'm sure was an absolutely riveting meeting at work. I'm famous! There's a brief article in last night's esteemed Reading Evening Post about four local marathon entrants, including a picture of me running across the snow-strewn savannah that is the gardens on Eldon Square. Those other blokes look very young..
The Final Front Ear 13/04/08
I am just going outside and may be some time.
Later that day...
4:25:57 - about 10 mins faster than last time (2005). It was a good race until about 18 miles when cramp and fatigue set in. It was a bit of a struggle after that with frequent stops to stretch and massage. Still, I beat the Massai Warriors who I passed at around 8 miles. More later, I'm off to bed.
Race Report 14/04/08
I left home at around 06:00 to catch the first train to Paddington at 06:22. Under normal circumstances, times such as these would not be tolerated in a civilised society, especially on a Sunday morning. The stopping train was about half full, much to the bemusement of its regular dozen or so passengers. More runners embarked at every station along the route, all looking frighteningly young and fit.
I sat next to a young Korean student who stuck with me through the labyrinths of London Transport - Bakerloo line out of order - and onto the special train from London Bridge to Blackheath station. From Blackheath there was a short walk to one of the three start areas on Greenwich Park in rather pleasant sunshine.
Those of you who have seen or been involved in the Reading Half Marathon will know that it is big, but the London Marathon is on a different scale altogether. In each of the three runners’ enclosures are around ten huge lorries waiting to take your baggage (enclosed in the regulation numbered London Marathon polythene bag). After the start, these lorries make their way to the finish on the Mall and disgorge their load awaiting collection. The marshalling and organisation is excellent throughout with little or no queuing or waiting around.
So to the start. This is well organised with separated zones corresponding to your expected time as indicated by a small additional digit printed on your running number. The runners are in good humour, many first-timers with slight trepidation but determined to finish. This is not about winning, but rather a mild form of narcissism as you try to prove yourself to yourself. I was chatting to Steve, a 5'6" 16 stone rugby player who was determined to beat 5:30 to raise money for children in Guatemala; I’m quite sure he did. At this stage it’s still fairly mild, but dark clouds loom menacingly in the distance. The start was lined with colourful hot air balloons, and helicopters hovered overhead. Only 26 miles, 385 yards to go.
The main race starts at precisely 09:45 with the elite runners at the front; I passed through the start about ten minutes later. The going was good at this stage, but it’s a bit tricky trying to set your pace with so many people around, some of whom are actually running slower than you! The first few miles were uneventful and quite comfortable with the weather mild, overcast and pretty wind-free.
Runners from the three starts merge not long after with much good-natured jeering and booing. This part of ‘Sarf Lunnon’ would be fairly uninteresting were it not for the crowds lining the streets cheering the runners on.
The Cutty Sark was the first real landmark at 6.5 miles, or a quarter of the way round! There was a bit of an enforced walk here for a few yards as the route narrowed and the runners squeezed through. At about 8 miles I became aware of a loud continuous cheer from the spectators which peaked as I passed the Masai Warriors with their car-tyre shoes. They must have run the entire route amid a deafening roar.
Then the rain came. Cold, heavy, relentless rain adding water-jumps to the course. Still the crowds were there shouting encouragement from beneath their brollies. There were several bands playing along the route and many pubs had loudspeakers outside playing loud ‘inspirational’ music. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s habit was looking quite heavy, but he was still setting a comfortable pace, as was the (almost) nude runner.
Tower Bridge came at about 12.5 miles. This is one of the highlights of the run and the location which provides some of the best photographs as 35,000 people cross this iconic structure. After the bridge a right turn eastwards towards the halfway point and on to docklands. For about a mile, this stretch of road is used in both directions, with faster runners heading westwards on the opposite side being some eight miles ahead.
The Millwall and Canary Wharf loop was a bit of a comedown after Tower Bridge, but nonetheless, the crowds were fantastic. This is when it started to hurt, my quads didn’t want to play any more and I had to stop for a quick stretch several times. Coming back through Poplar I passed the 20 mile mark which was a boost, and continued back on to the shared highway near Shadwell. There were still people heading eastwards towards Docklands with the sweep-up lorries not far behind them.
Somewhere around this time, I vowed to voluntarily commit myself to a mental institution should I ever feel the urge to do this again.
Past the Tower of London and onto the Embankment next with great crowd support all the way. Occasional calf cramps necessitated a quick stop and rub, then onto Birdcage Walk with Buck House in the distance. Throngs, masses, still here in the wet after all this time still yelling encouragement, then the final 385 yard sprint/stumble to the finish in the Mall.
Relief. I collected my medal and goody-bag and waddled to my baggage lorry, again all very well organised. I covered up and made my way gingerly to the tube, where your running number gives you VIP treatment as you’re ushered through for a free ride with congratulations from London Transport staff. I actually managed (just) to jog for the train at Paddington and then walk home to a hot bath.
My time was 4:25, ten minutes better than when I first did it in 2005. Not a winning time, but not too bad for my age and build. Maybe next time I can shave off another ten minutes, I mean, it wasn’t really that bad...
Thanks 24/04/08
Nearly all the sponsorship money is in now, amounting to about £1300. Many sincere thanks to my family, friends and colleagues for your generous support.
It all seems so long ago now. I've applied for the 2009 marathon, but I won't know if I've been successful in the entry lottery until October - it's about a 1 in 4 chance.
Keith
