London Marathon 2012: Never, Ever Again!

This is a picture of me this morning in Greenwich Park just before the London Marathon 2012. The calm before the storm. I did the London marathon in 2002 and swore afterwards never to do it ever again. But last year I thought "it wasn't that bad? surely its time to do another one". So I stupidly applied for a place via my employer with the Homeless Charity helping young people called "Alone in London".

The London Marathon is a great event. I would encourage everyone to take part (once) but 26.2 miles is a long, long way. Today it went okay for the first 13 miles then my legs went on industrial action and a "go slow". They refused to do what I wanted them to do. The only way I could get any speed up was by waving my arms like a cross country skier. Which didn't get
me that far.

I ran the London marathon in 2002 in 4 hours 24 minutes and the same thing happened then at the 20 mile mark. So I knew what to expect. I kept "running" (aka slow shuffle) and eventually finished 5 hours 37 minutes. Which was really slow but such is life as this is the last time I will ever run a marathon again ever! If in 2022 I say "hmmm...surely it wasn't that bad"... everyone has permission to shoot me or enrol me in the Young Conservatives ...since it was, it was :)

I simply didn't train enough long distance and I think I should have done more road running rather than footpaths.

On the plus side the weather was warm and sunny nearly all the way. The crowds of Londoner's lining the route were fantastic and they were really supportive. At Surrey Quays there was a UNISON support station where I got a free Fruit pastille from Cadet Swing. In the Isle of Dogs I met one of my fellow School Governors and her family.

Sometimes people were a little harsh on those who at the time were walking  rather than "running" but I think it was meant well.  Mind you I would have been faster if I ran/walked instead of shuffled.

It was I admit a bit embarrassing to be "speared" and then overtaken by runners dressed in Rhino costumes!  Also at the end I was running alongside someone dressed in a heavy (and must have been hot) Womble Costume. I thought that I must beat him to the finish. But he kept increasing his speed. However, he was distracted by a group of excited young female spectators and stopped to say hello to them giving me the chance to steam (slowly) past and cross the finishing line. Result!

You can still donate to "Alone in London" by clicking below or you can send me an email with a pledge. I will keep this open for the next couple of weeks.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 26: "how will I get through it?"

Now there is less than 3 days to go before the start of the London Marathon 2012. Week 26 of my marathon training finished on Sunday when I did my last long run in Epping Forest. Starting from Queen Elizabeth hunting lodge in Chingford then a 75 minute run around and inside the forest. Epping Forest is the Jewel of East London. The best part of the run was through the forest along the little used paths and trails. You may get lost from time to time but the solitude is well worth it. You would not believe  that this ancient woodland is so close to central London.

Yesterday I registered and picked up my London Marathon 2012 "running pack" from the Newham ExCel centre. On the way into the main Exhibition hall there was this "how will you get through it" message board. All runners were encouraged to write something about how they will get through the run. I made some silly comment on it but the truth of the matter is that for most of us it will just be one long, knackering and bloody painful experience.

I did the London Marathon 10 years ago and afterwards swore that I would never do it again. Of course, eventually I forgot how awful it was and began to think that it wasn't that bad and I should give it another go. So I am. But it is only now that I have been practising the long, long training runs that it all comes to back to me how 'orrible distance running is. But I have committed to run and will hopefully give it some purpose by raising money for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them out of it if they do.

Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website or click below.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 25: Wiltshire Ridge Run

Now less than 2 weeks to go. There is not a lot I can really do to make the big day that better. But I thought that the long run this week should be as tough as possible since from now on I should be reducing the training programme.

Run of the week was on Easter Sunday. I was staying in the historic village of Berwick St John in the Ebble Valley, Wiltshire. I ran (slowly) up to the hilltop path called the Herepath or the Salisbury way. This is an ancient ridgeway highway with glorious ridge views. I ran for over an hour and didn't see anyone, not a soul, except grouse and startled deer. Brilliant. I was entertained along the route by alternating between my Walkman and the simple joy of spring bird song.

I ran back along undulating country lanes past thatched manor houses and Saxon Church's. There and back took 2 hours 40 minutes. I later went out to the opposite ridge for a ramble which took about 3 hours but also had spectacular views. Finished the day off with a roast dinner in the thatched Crown Inn in Alvediston. A good day. I was completely shattered at the end of it. Hopefully it will make the Marathon itself on 22nd April a little easier (doubt it - it is just going to be pretty bloody 'orrible).  

I am running the 2012 London Marathon for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them if they do. Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website or click below.

John's London Marathon 2012 blog

It will be 10 years since my first (and only) marathon. I have now obviously forgotten the agony and pain.  Certainly the promise - never, ever to even think of running one again!

I am aiming to take part in the London Marathon 2012. This time I will also be raising funds for “Alone in London”. (AIL)

This is an important youth homelessness charity that has been supporting young people since 1972. It provides a badly needed range of services to vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Last year they had contact with over 2000 such youngsters.  I suspect that with the continuing housing crisis and changes in benefits this demand will grow and grow. 

I am asking for donations from this JustGiving page which is here.  Donating through JustGiving is quite simple and safe. Make sure you that you use Gift Aid for AIL to get the tax relief. 

I am sure that some will sponsor me since they will like the idea of me suffering for 26 miles!

In 2002 I finished (very slowly and hobbling for the last 6 miles) at 4 hours 24 minutes.  Despite the extra decade I am aiming for under 4 hours this time!  The biggest problem I think will be the risk of injury while training.  I was supposed to run the marathon in 2001 but injured my knee. This time I will be following a 24 week training programme (from next Monday).  In the future months I will no doubt post on training from time to time.

p.s for the avoidance of any doubt I will not be raising money for the Tower Hamlets Mayor fund this time, no matter how worthy these charities will no doubt be :)