They think it’s all over…

….it isn’t now! It should be all over. I did what I set out to. I completed the London Marathon yesterday in 4.5 hours, and thanks to the huge generosity of the readers of this blog, and others, raised over £2000 for the RNIB in the process.

But to my huge surprise, I think I may have developed a thirst for this running thing. While I don’t enjoy the actual bit in trainers, running vest and shorts pounding the streets, the feeling you get when it is all over is fantastic. I found myself agreeing to enter both the Great North Run and next year’s London Marathon in the post event euphoria, although I may yet come to my senses.

Also this rash enthusiasm may have been purely the influence of Guinness at the post-event party as my self-imposed three month alcohol moratorium came to an end.

The marathon is much more than a run; it is a rich and vibrant experience, with great camaraderie, spirit, noise, colour and endurance in evidence. Although being overtaken by a Cornish pastie was a somewhat humbling experience.

It is the hundreds of thousands of spectators who line the streets of London that make this event that extra bit special. Their shouted encouragement, and enthusiasm, even when the hail was beating down, cannot be underestimated, and put a spring back into even the most weariest runner’s step. I thank you all.

I would also like to pay tribute to the lady handing out fruit cake to the runners around the 20 mile mark. This was truly the finest fruit cake I have ever eaten and it was only strong willpower, and of course intense fatigue, that prevented me from turning around and going back for a second slice. Mrs Beeton eat your heart out.

Thanks again to all who donated, and for those who didn’t, there is still time!

And afraid I’m going to be rattling the collecting tin again around September time in the lead up to the Great North Run.

Watch this space!

It’s all going runningly…

If you had told me a month ago that by February 1st I would be running several miles a day before 8.30 a.m I would have choked on my breakfast Mars Bar.

My marathon preparations began on January 2nd when I weighed in at 15st 3lbs and the only walk that didn’t involve a rest was the one to the pub. Today I weigh in at 14st 3lbs exactly. I have not only lost a stone but found an unexpected ability to challenge sloths to running races.

Back on the 15th January I wrote a post about my frustration at slowing to a walk when encountering a steep hill. This morning I not only ran happily all the way up, but continued for a further five miles.

The human body is amazingly resilient. I have thrown pies and alcohol at mine for years and its only protest has been to indignantly increase in size. Now suddenly after 46 years of weary acquiescence to excess, my body is being asked to run, swim and more agonisingly go without beer, pastry or chocolate. And to add insult to injury it is being asked to cope with a large and entirely alien intake of vegetables and fruit.

However, I am under no illusion. I have a lot more work to do if I am going to get anywhere near to completing the 26 mile marathon course in April, which suddenly seems so close. But at least I can now see the light rather than the cellulite.

My shedding pounds is all in add of raising pounds for the RNIB so please dig deep. You can support me by clicking on the text underneath the Sponsor Me tab to the right of this page.

It shouldn’t happen to a highly tuned athlete

OK I’m not highly tuned, or even an athlete, but I have begun my marathon training in earnest and it has had the most unfortunate consequences; my head has caught fire.

I have eschewed all alcohol, curries, chocolate and everything else I enjoy, and started jogging regularly but when I woke up this morning it felt like someone had put a match to my face.

During the day, my skin got tighter, redder and hotter until I resembled a semi-cooked prune wrapped in cling film.

As this was a slightly unexpected side effect to my get fit campaign I popped into the doctor’s for a quick diagnosis.

It appears my body has developed an allergic reaction. Unfortunately the doctor could not identify the allergen, but as the only change to my diet has been a reduction of a bottle of wine a day, chocolate and pies, I suggested I must be allergic to healthy living.

He thought this unlikely and prescribed me some antihistamines instead.

But you can’t be too careful. I plan on being the only marathon runner sporting a hip flask and Cornish pastie come April 13th.