Marc Ollington
Back in January I told you all about my plans to run the London marathon. I mentioned the tough conditions and how the cold weather played havoc with my private bits. And more importantly I wrote that it was all being done to raise money for The Willow Foundation. All these fun and japes from part one can lived again here.
So nearly three months on am I still in the game? The answer to that dear reader is just about. These training entries haven’t been regular as I would have liked for the reason that I didn’t want to tempt fate. Why write about something I wasn’t going to be able to do? I have suffered injury after injury. I am the London marathon’s answer to Tomas Rosicky. In the past ten weeks I have sprained my ankle, suffered a really bad back and developed very sore knees. I have had sports massages, physio and had to do a bunch of exercises every day just to be able to run. And just when I think I have conquered another ailment then something else pops up to cause me pain.
As I write this I can feel that my previously good knee is throbbing with some kind of dull ache. I wouldn’t mind but it was okay yesterday and I didn’t even have a training run last night. Why didn’t I decide to do this in my twenties when I felt invincible? Now I’m approaching my mid-thirties I only have to walk to the kitchen for a biscuit and I tweak my hamstring.
I think whatever happens that come April 25th I will be there on the starting line. Whether I’m in the running race, or the wheelchair event before is another matter entirely. Each morning when I wake my body aches like a little old man. I wouldn’t mind but all I’m doing is running, it’s hardly snowboarding with swords.
As such my plan is now to complete it in four hours and thirty minutes. My four hour dream may be a little optimistic as I still haven’t run more than seventeen miles in one go. I was on to get a great time as I completed a half marathon on one hour and thirty six minutes at the end of January. Without constant long runs though I am not where I should be. And once I get past thirteen miles my body collapses on me.
I am so far behind on my training that I booked a recent Friday off work to do my longest training run yet (which was for seventeen miles). The night before I attended my boss’ leaving party. Knowing I had a run the next day I told myself to be sensible and not mix drinks, and of course to not have too many. I decided to stick with champagne (as it was free and I like the bubbles). Seven hours later and quite a few glasses later I may have forgot about the not having too many bit.
Regardless of this I still had to attempt the run. A hangover was a mere obstacle surely? I started off quite sluggishly, and it was ruddy tough. I just about managed the seventeen miles though so I thought I was invincible. That was until I then spent the next hour or so being violently sick. I think I was very dehydrated dear reader. I won’t be making that mistake again!
So, I have two weeks to go. I am now off the booze for good until after the race. And I have my last big pre marathon training run planned (twenty miles). If this new knee injury doesn’t stop me I may just pull it off!
I will write one last part to this tale after the marathon to tell you how it all went. If you would like to sponsor me please do. I have raised £1300 for The Willow Foundation so far but I am not quite at my target. And if you are running the marathon and don’t have a charity you are winning for, why not do it for Bob as well?
Until next time...
