Touched by heroism

Yesterday I felt like a hero. I completed the 26 mile London Marathon despite the weather, despite my lack of training, and largely because of the constant vocal support from the crowds including friends and family.

And everyone else who completed the run felt like a hero too, and that is the unique attraction of the day. It challenges you to believe in yourself, ignoring your head when it is telling you to stop, and forcing wooden legs to keep moving.

And there is no better feeling than leaving Wonder Woman eating your dust, or overtaking Superman as he begins to tire on one of the short uphill stretches.

I found the heat oppressive yesterday right from the start and although I was able to average 10 minute miles on my training runs, I came nowhere near that yesterday.

At the 20 mile mark I discovered that the fabled wall actually exists and everything stopped working, so it was a very painful final six mile hobble to the finish.

But if I found the going tough, spare a thought for those in bear costumes, Father Christmas outfits, and pack mule garb; heroes all.

I would also like to raise a glass to my fundraising Gestapo, Claire and Nic, but they will know what I mean, when I say I will provide the wine!

Today I am nursing my various aches and pains, but while sitting in front of my laptop have already ordered my new trainers…

I’m running out of time

If anyone tells you that running a marathon should take you no longer than five hours, don’t believe them.

A marathon is a thief of time. At first when you are unfit and struggling to get into shape, time isn’t an issue. Even the biggest jellymonster can conquer a one mile run in a quarter of an hour or less.

The problem comes as you become fitter and the distances become longer. After three weeks pretty concentrated training I am now up to eight miles but the downside being that each run takes around an hour and twenty minutes and I am trying to run at least four times a week, plus swimming, cycling and the odd game of five-a-side  football.

Adding all this up means I am spending about 10 hours a week on physical exercise, more than I spent in two entire years. Fitting it all in with a long working week is quite a challenge.

And then of course on top of that I have to add in blogging time. Maybe I should take my laptop with me every time I go out for a jog.