Friday 27th April 2007, 23:01Marathon ReportMarathon
As you know I undertook to complete the London Flora Marathon after being inspired by Steve Marsland, Laura Hargreaves, John Ashworth and Steve Glassock last year. This was tough because before I could complete a marathon I really needed to loose 5 stone in weight, I had health problems and asthma and was not great at taking responsibility for my own health.
I started walking, and then walking and running and running and walking and running. Bit by bit I started to run a bit stronger. I changed my eating habits and was just sensible at what I ate, when I ate it and how much I ate. Result = the weight fell off and I started to enjoy my running and my health improved.
Thanks to Laura, Steve, Deborah and many many others who all encouraged and supported my 12 month plan
But the biggest thanks goes to my family who never judged me and supported me even on the first day I squeezed into my running shorts. I know I never looked like an athlete but Sam, Olivia and Tom treated me like I was an Olympic hero.
When the big day came last Sunday I was very nervous, so many people had sponsored me and told me they would be watching. I was not convinced I could meet the challenge. I wished I had done more training. And then it was hot, really hot, hot enough for my kids to cover me in sun tan protection factor 50.
Steve Marsland had heroically agreed to run the race to support me and took me to the start. The colour, the music and the people created a great atmosphere. Then we were off.
I was humbled by the people who were running, a woman told me she was running because she had been abused for 12 years by her step father and this was her way to move on in her life, a man with one leg, a man with two false legs, large, tall, small, thin, old and young. A Fireman in full kit, a man dressed as a star, two wombles, an artic explorer pulling a sledge. There were people running in memory of their Dads, their Mums, Brothers, Sister and Children all taken early from loving families and greatly missed. One man who simply had written on his back “thanks Dad for watching over me, everyday of my life”.
I was humbled by each personal story and the issues they were addressing in their life by taking part.
So I finished thanks to Jenny (from the WRVS in Birmingham who shared the last 10 miles with me). Jenny shared her life of dogs, children, work and Victor the man in her life – her perfect partner. Jenny is 51, she had major surgery in November and lost her Dad in February and she did it because her first husband said she couldn’t.
I finished because at the end was Sam, ad Olivia and Tom waiting for Dad, I did it because I was supported by so many of you.
Thanks for improving my life and helping me take responsibility for me.
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