Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.

Last updated:  14th April 2008 – the day after…

If you visited this page before the race, you may remember me saying “the winter has been horrible, training has not gone well, and I expect it to be tough after 20 miles”.

Never a truer word!

Not only was it tough, but in hindsight, I think I may have only made it through because I wasn’t all there at the time, and I say that without any hint of comedy.

Yesterday’s FLM was my second ever marathon, and compared to my first in 2005, when I ran the whole thing at a steady pace, with no problems, and really enjoyed myself, yesterday’s was horrible.

With my hair sprayed red so my adoring fans could spot me, I started in the sunshine, feeling good.  I went off too fast, clocking 8:20min miles instead of the 9min miles I had planned for, but I felt good, so I went with it.  Then at about 12 miles the rain came, and around 14 miles I got a nasty chemical taste in my mouth – the hair colour was obviously not as robust as advertised – far from ideal.

By 18 miles, around Canary Wharf, my legs were feeling heavy, already starting to seize a bit, but I knew a stop to stretch would only make things worse, so I carried on taking it a mile or so at a time.  The mile markers seemed to take an age to appear, and I was beginning to feel like I was treading water.  At 21 miles I saw Vic just as I raced past, so I stopped to run back the 5 meters to get the energy gels she had, at which point both my calf muscles seized up.

To be completely honest, I can't remember more than a few snippets from 22 miles in, although I do remember mustering a sprint finish (probably no more than a fast jog in reality), and when I crossed the line I remember clinging to a railing to stop me collapsing.  I was then luck enough to be given a chair.  On wheels.  By people wearing St Johns Ambulance outfits.  Then I was given a cardboard sick bowl.  Finally I was given a stretcher.

After half an hour, I was coherent enough to leave the care of the lovely people and walk off looking like I’d had an accident in the mesh lining of my running shorts (I hadn't for the record), and whilst I was meant to go for beers, I just couldn't face it.

As for my time (it is a ‘race’ after all), I’m pleased and proud to say I broke the magical 4 hour mark, and finished in 3:56.46 (Official results).  You might wonder if it was worth it.  Well, if you look at the donation comments below you’ll see that Greg said “…just don't beat my time..”.  Regardless of whether or not you know Greg, you probably know me, and may know that I can be a bit stubborn sometimes.  So I’m pleased to say I shaved a whooping great 39 seconds off Greg’s time.  Sorry Greg, but really, talk about red rag to a bull!

Also, regardless of yesterday’s events, I can definitely say it was worth it because I am closing in on my fundraising target for The Prostate Cancer Charity, and the most important thing about the marathon is the fundraising.  Vic’s dad is currently recovering from prostate cancer treatment which has been very rough, and I said before the marathon that compared to his treatment, 26.2 miles will be easy.  I still stand by that remark.

Of course sponsoring me after the event is as welcome as sponsoring me before the event, and every penny does counts.  If you haven’t already done so, and you do feel able to donate to this fantastic charity, they, and I, would be very grateful.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to donate, The Prostate Cancer Charity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you through the gift aid scheme*.

If you would like more info on The Prostate Cancer Charity, the largest and most comprehensive of the charities focused specifically on prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK, please contact me, or visit http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/

Thank you all again for your fantastic support,

Cheers,

Chris

Ps.  Yesterday's completely sincere "I don't think I'll ever do another marathon" has already become "I'd do another; I just know I have to be more regimented about the training".  That’s the magic of the marathon for you...

(* If you don’t understand gift aid, or you are unsure if you can gift aid your donation, please give me a quick call/email before you donate, and I will explain how it works)