After the Lord Mayor’s Show

Running the marathon for the second time is quite frankly a bit of an anti-climax.

After completing the run last year, I described it as one of the best things I had ever done, and it was.

But so far, training for this year’s event has been one of the worst things I have done.

Running the first marathon is a ‘will I, won’t I’ dilemma filed with a few highs, and many lows, as you doubt your ability to ever cover 26.2 miles at anything resembling a run.

But having done it once, the suspense and uncertainty go. You know you can run that far, it’s just a question of putting your body through the training pain necessary to make the distance.

And yet, and yet. Because I am attempting this year’s marathon with only six weeks training, I am far from confident that I will finish. Well actually I am very confident I will, it’s the where I finish that is in doubt.

And while such a ridiculously short preparation time has meant mainly pain, the ups have been few and far between, in fact there haven’t been any to date.

So why am I running? I can only say that the day itself makes it worthwhile. The people, the noise, the colour, and the pain combine to create a stimulating and sensory experience that assumes addictive proportions.

But it’s not the training that’s addictive, and it’s not the running that’s addictive, it’s the stopping knowing you have just completed 26.2miles.

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!

I’m going bananas

And raspberries, strawberries, cherries and even blueberries. I’ve just been to Waitrose and spent £25 on nothing but fruit. Yes fruit.

The only fruit I used to know were the machines on Brighton Pier. Now it is the major part of my diet.

And I run miles and miles nearly every day.

What is happening to me.

I don’t have time to ponder; it’s my poetry hour.

The mental marathon

Without doubt long distances are run mainly in the mind.

Your lungs are balloons the day after the party, your legs have long turned to lead, and your heart sounds like an alarm clock in a biscuit tin, but if your mind tells you to continue, you will.

Only when the mind gives up, is it all over.

I really can’t describe the dedication and sacrifice that go into running a marathon, mainly because I haven’t completed one yet, but I do know that nearly 30,000 people conquer the mental demons to complete the 26 mile challenge every year in London alone.

Only now do I really appreciate their achievements.

But even these heroics are put into perspective by the accomplishments of the late Jane Tomlinson who completed many sporting milestones including at least two marathons, several triathlons, and a 4,200 mile gruelling bike ride across America in a seven year period after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

And she raised nearly £2million for charity in the process.

To achieve this while literally dying is astounding. Her mental strength and indomitable spirit are truly humbling.

What is up must come down

I’m sitting on the other end of the emotional seesaw this morning.

Only two days ago I thought things were getting easier and was actually enjoying running.

Today came pain. Every step of my four mile run this morning hurt and it hurt everywhere. It was possibly the least enjoyable experience of my life.

Around two miles in I reached a 1 in 4 hill and I walked the last 50 metres of it. Yes walked. My will folded like paper.

And for the first time I questioned why I am putting myself through this experience. A question I should probably have asked myself before I optimistically put my trainers on for the first time.

Currently I am running 10 minute miles, and that is over 4 miles. I have to keep that up for 26 miles if I am going to come in under my target time of four and a half hours.

And if the first testing hill I experience breaks my spirit, how will I cope with true adversity in April?

Keep on running…

It is amazing the effect music has on my athletic performance.

As soon as ‘Keep on running’ by the Spencer Davis Group kicks in on my MP3 player I immediately speed up.

Another song which gets the adrenalin going, and the legs pumping, is Peaches by The Stranglers.

Anything by Morrissey, Leonard Cohen or Eels on the other hand not only slows me down to a walking pace but makes me want to jump in front of the first passing car.

Obviously if I am going to get around the 26 mile marathon course I need to worry less about fitness and more about the contents of my MP3 player.

Suggestions for inspiring tracks please.