I think in my last blog I listed a number of reasons why I was going to run the marathon for refugee action (by the way I think the gag with inverted commas around the word “run” is wearing thin but just assume that they’re always there and that I am never using the word in its true sense). Now, with almost just a few weeks to go, and all I can think of is the reasons why not to.
It would be small minded of me, I know, to produce a litany of aching bones, sore muscles, the mindless boredom of the gym treadmill and how I hate bananas (having replaced Ready Break as my fad food of choice). But small minded as I am – oh, the aching bones, the sore muscles, you get the picture…
I did not think it would be easy and on that score, at least, I have been proved right. Above all dragging myself out of bed to train has been the hard thing and I am sure that I could have done more. It is only the power of the loud guitar music that has kept me going on many occasions.
Actually, at this precise moment I am starting to worry that I really should have done more but I have tried to balance the risks of overtraining and under-preparation (it may be a fair accusation that I have veered to the latter)
If I was focusing on trying to complete the marathon in a given/respectable time then I would be just like the character in the Roger McGough poem who “aimed low… and missed.” But, while my time on 17 April might be the subject of derision for serious runners , I am certain I will finish even if octogenarians and people dressed as chickens are flying past me as I stagger around.
Already both friends and strangers have given me added motivation by sponsoring me through may Just Giving page and the news of the cuts to Refugee Action’s budget provide all the extra motivation to propel me around the course on the day. Give me a wave if you see me, I’ll be the bald sweating guy near the back.
PS. In order to help the fundraising cause, and put my money where my feet are, I am auctioning an extremely nice electric guitar (a Rickenbacker 660 in jetglo for those who know about these things). 100% of the sale price will go to the fundraising total for Refugee Action. The auction is here