The Big One 2010

Wow! What a day. I woke at 6am on Sunday before getting ready for the Marathon. The run that I had been preparing for, for the last 6 months. I left the house at around 0645 and made my way to Blackheath, where my run started. When I arrived, I packed up my stuff and handed my bag over, which was to be taken to the finish line to (hopefully) be reunited with me again. I had no doubts that the bag would make it there...maybe a few that I might not!!

After forecasts of a heatwave, I was shocked to be freezing cold and soaking wet from a downpour before the start of the run. There were thousands of people around me, each with their own little race routines and rituals. Some just relaxing, others running, warming up and stretching. I just waited. Taking everything in.

0945 and it was time to run. I took a deep breath and shuffled my way to the start, bumping shoulders with other runners on the way. 6 minutes after the race had started and I had finally reached the start line - my Marathon had begun.

The atmosphere was amazing. Unbelievable. The crowd and supporters were in a carnival mood and that alone made the first 7 miles feel easy. I kept looking out for my Wife and Parents as they were going to be there to support me but as I reached 18 miles I was yet to find them. By this point it had warmed up significantly, my feet were sore and my legs were hurting. The thought of stopping crossed my mind. I was a tough point in the race. Maybe it was the 'wall' that people talk about, where the only thing that will send you crashing through that wall is a strong mind. It was at that point I heard my dad's voice shout 'There he is' and I looked up to see my folks and Tracey in the crowd. The feeling was indescribable. I gave them a clenched fist and shouted back 'I'm still going!' I got a massive lump in my throat and I could quite easily have burst in to tears at the moment. I was at breaking point but seeing them gave me the lift I needed to dig deep and push on. I told myself that I hadn't trained 6 months to quit now.

I was taking on water at every mile. Little sips. I made sure I went under every one of the 6 showers around the course, like car washes but for people, cooling me as I went through. I reached the 20 mile mark. 6 and a bit to go. From here on, psychologically I could start counting down. I pictured where I would be on my training run with 6 miles to go which made it easier for me to picture finishing. 21 miles. 22 miles. I kept chipping away and keeping one eye on my time. Before the run I wanted to complete it between 4:30 - 5:00hrs and if I kept digging deep I could still do it.

I saw the 25 mile mark. I was so close. I felt my phone vibrate and it was my brother "are you still running?" he asked to which I said "Yes...I'm dying!! I'm in the last mile and this is the hardest thing I have ever done". "Keep going" he said, " I'm watching it on the T.V"

I put the phone back in my arm pouch and pushed on. I crossed the line at the same time as Richard Branson! My official time was 4:59:05...I did it with 55 seconds to spare. The emotion I felt was unbelievable. I felt like crying at first, but then I took a moment to realise that I had completed my goal. My finishers medal was placed over my head.

I did it. I completed the BIG ONE!

Enjoy the video and if you haven't already done so, please sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/thebigone2010 and help children diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Thank you

Thats it!

Two days to go before the Marathon and I'm as ready as I'll ever be!! I had my last training run on Tuesday night, a 13 miler which I completed in 2:13, and unlike my half marathon back in March I felt I could have gone on to do more...a good thing considering I have to take on twice that on Sunday!!

With over 650 training miles under my belt, I have spent over 100 hours running and got through two pairs of running shoes all in the build up to Sunday. It's been a long road and at times a very difficult one, but I want to say a massive 'Thank you' to my wife, Tracey, for putting up with me moaning about my aches and pains and making sure my spandex was always clean for my long training runs!! Her support has been invaluable over the last few months. So I have made it to the start of the Marathon, which is an achievement in itself considering that when I stepped out for my first training session over 6 months ago I only made it a mile before I trapped a nerve in my neck and shoulder area and had to stop!

I went to register at the ExCel centre in London yesterday to collect my running number and time keeping chip, which started to make it all real. I've spent this week drinking plenty of fluids, eating plenty of carbs and making sure I'm in the best shape possible for Sunday. Keep an eye out for the Video of the whole experience next week and if you haven't done so already, please click the 'sponsor me' link to make a donation to CLIC Sargent - the charity I'm supporting for this year's Marathon, who help children diagnosed with Cancer & Leukemia and their families.

Here goes....

The morning after the long day before!

On Saturday I was out all day taking photographs at a Wedding in central London. Tracey and I left the house at 0900 and didn't get back home until 2230 so it was one hell of a long day. My feet were killing me and my back was sore so I decided to just do a short run on Sunday, just to keep me ticking over.

I'm going to do 13 miles tonight which will be my very last training run!! I'll then rest up and eat plenty of energy food before Sunday arrives. I'm going to the Marathon Expo on Thursday to register and find out what's happening on the big day. With the run fast approaching, I'm really starting to get nervous now!!

A friend of a friend completed the Brighton Marathon recently and after reading her summary of it, it sounds horrendous!!!!! It's too late now, I'm in and I'm going to do it!!!

It's the final countdown

After yet another stinking migraine on Tuesday, which meant I missed my run, I went for an 11 miler last night.

After 3 miles I got an almighty stitch for a short while, which returned again after 5 miles, and it was really uncomfortable. Last night was tough for some reason and I could have quite easily quit! I didn't though, and pushed on through the 11 miles in 1:50:05 working out to 10 minutes per mile - the time I am aiming for on the big day.

When I got home I had my freezing cold, 5 minute bath to ease the muscles before a nice hot shower. I have a week and 3 days to go, in which I will be doing a 16 mile run on Sunday and an 8 miler on Wednesday before all the training comes to a head for next Sunday's Virgin London Marathon...I hope I've done enough!!

Out of juice

My brother and his family were over at the weekend so after a 4 mile run on Friday, I went for 21 miles on Sunday morning. I left as early as I could so I could spend some time with them on Sunday before they went home, so I was up and out by 7am!

I made it to the 10.5 mile mark without too much issue, and I was setting a good pace too at just under 10 minutes a mile. I had my first energy gel and drink of lucozade before turning and heading back. It was warm on Sunday morning and after another energy gel 3 miles later and another drink, I started feeling the heat. I ran out of drink with 5 miles to go and I thought that there is no way I'm going to make it back without any so I called it a day and Tracey picked me up. On the day, there will be drink stations along the whole route and the bottle I'll have on me will be for between the stations, so that wont be an issue come the marathon.

I got in to the house and the first thing my little nephew said to me was "So you gave up then!!" Harsh, but I guess that all he sees is me not completing what I set out to do that day.

A dog's dinner

I got in from work on Tuesday and after getting changed, I headed straight out for my 11 mile run. Well, it turned out to be just short of 11 miles actually - reason being, I got to about 500 yards short of the halfway point when I saw a young lad with what looked like a pitbull. The dog wasn't on a lead or muzzled so I decided not to risk becoming a dogs dinner and turn back early! I'm going to need both legs if I'm going to get through this marathon.

It was quite a good run although I didn't have my cold bath afterwards and I ended up suffering for it yesterday. Lesson learned.

I was going to do a 4 miler tonight but my head is pounding...a busy week catching up with me I think. Next is 4 miles on Saturday before tackling 21 miles on Sunday - cant wait!

3 weeks and counting

After spending around 20 hours in the car between Tuesday and Thursday, it was good to get out running on Friday and stretch my legs again. I did 4 miles and although it felt like a struggle, my calf muscle felt the benefit of the rest over the last few days so it was a good decision not to run last Sunday.

Rather than try and tackle 21 miles today, I have decided to lead up to it again and complete 11 miles on Tuesday before another long one next weekend.

There's only 3 weeks to go now and I have to admit, I cannot wait to complete it!!