So its all over, the London Marathon was completed in 4 hours 28 minutes. I initially said under 4 hours, so that was achieved and given the heat its a time I am well proud of.
It was a really good experience, the first 6 or 7 miles just flew past, I had a big smile on my face as I ran through Greenwich, enjoying the support of the crowds, getting sprayed with holy water by vicars outside churches, it was ace.
After about 5 miles I ran past Jordan and Peter Andre, I gave Peter a high 5 and wished them well, and I was on my merry way. I don't know what happened to him, but I was running with someone dressed as 'the Stig' from top gear for a while. The music on my mp3 was great, so thanks to everyone who nominated a song. It was a surreal experience, running across tower bridge to 'ice, ice baby'.
I really enjoyed running through the docklands, as I used to work in South Quay and Canary Wharf and there was some great support, I think due to the many pubs around there.
It wasn't until about 20 miles when I started to feel the heat, but running through the showers really helped. Miles 22-24 were the hardest but once I got to 24 I knew I was going to make it. It's great approaching Westminster and the support you get is amazing and it is so inspirational. With about 400m to go I saw someone do a handstand and walk toward the line on his hands, I don't think he made it on his hands but a great effort nonetheless!
Once you get to Big Ben you know you are there, so you just have to keep on going, you get to St James park and then turn the corner and you can see the finish and I had a mixed emotion of wanting it to be over and not wanting it to be over, and pride that I had made it. And then chatting to the other runners and congratulating them, getting my medal and then meeting up with Kim from the FSI at the meet and greet area.
I want to say a big thank you to all my supporters, the FSI girls, Gemma, my Mum and Dad and especially to Rob and Erin, who saw me three times and got me home afterwards.
Another big thank you to everyone who sponsored me, the total is somewhere up near £2,400 when you add on gift aid, so a cracking effort.
So this is it, no more running, no more blog, I know that at times this has been dark and introspective, but I also hope that it's been funny at times and perhaps a little bit inspirational.
Everything I know was learned from films made in the 70's and 80's so I will leave you with a couple of pearls of wisdom that hold sway with me right now:
The 1st song on my mp3 was the theme tune from Back to the Future, so in the words of Marty McFly "If you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything"
And from Bugsy Malone' "You give a little love and it all comes back to you (na na na na-na-na-na) Your gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do"
Monday, 27 April 2009
Monday, 20 April 2009
Perfect Training Routine...Not
Last 2 weekends I have had 2 stag do's both for my bro, which have really helped me wind down my training before the big day.
Our alternative training methods began by drinking at 10AM on the coach to Potter Heigham, where we picked up our vessel and accommodation for the weekend, the Caribbean Light 3. Eight Lads, one boat, 2 toilets, set sail on the Norfolk Broads dressed in sailor outfits. Quality.
Exercise routines included Mini Golf on a Pirate Ship at Great Yarmouth, the most excellent Quaser Laser experience and dancing in a cheesy disco. I was proud to be on the winning side at Quaser Laser, scoring 6000 points alongside brother Rob, (5500 points) Tom 'Top Gun' Buckley (12,000 points)and Will 'Human Shield' Smith. (100 points) That's not a typo, he actually did only score 100 points when everyone else scored at least 5000. Loser.
So I'm all set now, 6 days to go, all the training is in the bag so all I have to do is rest up and eat, my favorite 2 parts of marathon training. Oh, and register at the Excel centre to collect my number and timing chip and stuff.
Second stag do was tame by comparison, drinking in the city of London until the early hours, we did get some female attention, some wanted, some unwanted. We saw one of Alan Sugar's Apprentices, the American one who describes herself as a 'Rough tough cream puff' and some horrible woman who thought she could impress us by pouring water all over herself in a wannabe-sexy way!
Roll on the marathon
Ollie
Our alternative training methods began by drinking at 10AM on the coach to Potter Heigham, where we picked up our vessel and accommodation for the weekend, the Caribbean Light 3. Eight Lads, one boat, 2 toilets, set sail on the Norfolk Broads dressed in sailor outfits. Quality.
Exercise routines included Mini Golf on a Pirate Ship at Great Yarmouth, the most excellent Quaser Laser experience and dancing in a cheesy disco. I was proud to be on the winning side at Quaser Laser, scoring 6000 points alongside brother Rob, (5500 points) Tom 'Top Gun' Buckley (12,000 points)and Will 'Human Shield' Smith. (100 points) That's not a typo, he actually did only score 100 points when everyone else scored at least 5000. Loser.
So I'm all set now, 6 days to go, all the training is in the bag so all I have to do is rest up and eat, my favorite 2 parts of marathon training. Oh, and register at the Excel centre to collect my number and timing chip and stuff.
Second stag do was tame by comparison, drinking in the city of London until the early hours, we did get some female attention, some wanted, some unwanted. We saw one of Alan Sugar's Apprentices, the American one who describes herself as a 'Rough tough cream puff' and some horrible woman who thought she could impress us by pouring water all over herself in a wannabe-sexy way!
Roll on the marathon
Ollie
Saturday, 4 April 2009
What else can go wrong?
I have just run 22 miles, my last long run before the marathon. Lots of things went wrong.
1. I fell over. I got about a mile down the road, and I tripped on a tree root and fell over, grazing my knee, elbow and hand. I feel a bit like a child. Mum, can I have a plaster?
2. Speaking of plasters, I usually put them over my nipples to stop the ol' joggers nipple syndrome. One of them fell off I'm not sure if this happened when I fell over, but it happened, so I was also bleeding from my right nipple.
3. To try to rectify the nipple situation, I tried to put the front of my shirt over my head, not like Ravenelli's goal celebration, but so I could still see, but this caused additional chafing under the armpits, and some funny looks from other people, especially as I ran past the swanky bars in football
4. I had a cunning plan. I took an extra bottle of water that I left by a little wall, so I could get some extra fluid for the last 3 miles or so. When I came back it was either too dark and I missed it or some busy body tidied it up. So I had no water or Lucozade for the last 3 miles.
5. I think I hit the wall. On all of the runs I have done so far, I have never stopped. That means that I have run or jogged all of them. After about 19 miles, and the lack of water, my resolve weakened and I started walking. I must've walked about 2 miles in total. My Aussie mate Matt Wells does a bit of running and I was telling him about how I can focus and run for long distances, her called in the Ollie Gray 'Mind Of Steel' technique. Today it was 'Mind of Plywood'
I've had some feedback about this blog that its too heavy and negative, so I am going to finish on a real positive.
On Friday night we held a Race Night in London, everyone had a great night and we raised loads of money, so I have now raised over £1500 for the FSI, which is absolutely fantastic. A massive thank you to everyone who came and making it a success.
You know what? I am glad all those things went wrong today because it shows that while the 'Mind of Steel' escaped me for a while, it came back I ran the last mile uphill, I usually find it really tough but I flew up there, listening to 'Smack my Bitch up' on repeat.
Its better that these things go wrong now, so I know that I can overcome them and keep on going on the day. If I can do 22, 26.2 will be no problem.
1. I fell over. I got about a mile down the road, and I tripped on a tree root and fell over, grazing my knee, elbow and hand. I feel a bit like a child. Mum, can I have a plaster?
2. Speaking of plasters, I usually put them over my nipples to stop the ol' joggers nipple syndrome. One of them fell off I'm not sure if this happened when I fell over, but it happened, so I was also bleeding from my right nipple.
3. To try to rectify the nipple situation, I tried to put the front of my shirt over my head, not like Ravenelli's goal celebration, but so I could still see, but this caused additional chafing under the armpits, and some funny looks from other people, especially as I ran past the swanky bars in football
4. I had a cunning plan. I took an extra bottle of water that I left by a little wall, so I could get some extra fluid for the last 3 miles or so. When I came back it was either too dark and I missed it or some busy body tidied it up. So I had no water or Lucozade for the last 3 miles.
5. I think I hit the wall. On all of the runs I have done so far, I have never stopped. That means that I have run or jogged all of them. After about 19 miles, and the lack of water, my resolve weakened and I started walking. I must've walked about 2 miles in total. My Aussie mate Matt Wells does a bit of running and I was telling him about how I can focus and run for long distances, her called in the Ollie Gray 'Mind Of Steel' technique. Today it was 'Mind of Plywood'
I've had some feedback about this blog that its too heavy and negative, so I am going to finish on a real positive.
On Friday night we held a Race Night in London, everyone had a great night and we raised loads of money, so I have now raised over £1500 for the FSI, which is absolutely fantastic. A massive thank you to everyone who came and making it a success.
You know what? I am glad all those things went wrong today because it shows that while the 'Mind of Steel' escaped me for a while, it came back I ran the last mile uphill, I usually find it really tough but I flew up there, listening to 'Smack my Bitch up' on repeat.
Its better that these things go wrong now, so I know that I can overcome them and keep on going on the day. If I can do 22, 26.2 will be no problem.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Annex
I have spoken to Jo today, she has been reading this blog. (Hello) She told me that whilst reading it she managed to spill her tea all over the floor, which was then eaten by the cat.
Carnage
Well blog fans, things got a bit heavy in the last one so I thought this time I would give you a more light-hearted version, my ‘alternative’ marathon training method.
On Friday I went out for a quiet pint with our fabulous team at Great Portland Street, where we were joined by my best mate Dan, who I have known for a mere 16 years.
So after about 6 pints in the Cider Bar, and a few vodkas we went to Langleys in Covent Garden, where Dan got the champagne in and we danced the night away. Now, there was no real need for the champagne, as I was already mortal but it did the job and finished me off. My memories are shady after that. There were 3 of us left, me, Dan and Louise, and somehow, I got left in there on my own. I don’t remember either of them leaving, but both claim to have left 1st.
So after about 10 minutes on my own I decided it was time to get my coat and leave, and I can remember having to ask someone how to get out of the place.
I managed to find my way to Covent Garden tube, which thankfully is on the Piccadilly Line (which I live on). I can remember the tube being busy, then I was waking up at Northfields, which is only 1 stop further than I was meant to go. Result, I knew the way to walk home from here.
So I stopped off in Mark’s Kebab’s for a 2 burgers and 2 chips for £2 deal, stumbled home, went into my room, lay down and went asleep. This was at about 1AM, having been out since 5.
I woke up at about 6.30, fully clothed, on top of the bed, the light was on and 2 lots of burger and chips uneaten on the floor.
I have not done that since I was a student.
So if you would like to join in some of this carnage, we will do it all again this Friday, at the Green Man (Cider Bar) on Riding House Street (Near Oxford Circus) from 5, and there will be a Race Night on too to raise money for the ol' marathon. All are welcome.
On Friday I went out for a quiet pint with our fabulous team at Great Portland Street, where we were joined by my best mate Dan, who I have known for a mere 16 years.
So after about 6 pints in the Cider Bar, and a few vodkas we went to Langleys in Covent Garden, where Dan got the champagne in and we danced the night away. Now, there was no real need for the champagne, as I was already mortal but it did the job and finished me off. My memories are shady after that. There were 3 of us left, me, Dan and Louise, and somehow, I got left in there on my own. I don’t remember either of them leaving, but both claim to have left 1st.
So after about 10 minutes on my own I decided it was time to get my coat and leave, and I can remember having to ask someone how to get out of the place.
I managed to find my way to Covent Garden tube, which thankfully is on the Piccadilly Line (which I live on). I can remember the tube being busy, then I was waking up at Northfields, which is only 1 stop further than I was meant to go. Result, I knew the way to walk home from here.
So I stopped off in Mark’s Kebab’s for a 2 burgers and 2 chips for £2 deal, stumbled home, went into my room, lay down and went asleep. This was at about 1AM, having been out since 5.
I woke up at about 6.30, fully clothed, on top of the bed, the light was on and 2 lots of burger and chips uneaten on the floor.
I have not done that since I was a student.
So if you would like to join in some of this carnage, we will do it all again this Friday, at the Green Man (Cider Bar) on Riding House Street (Near Oxford Circus) from 5, and there will be a Race Night on too to raise money for the ol' marathon. All are welcome.
Friday, 20 March 2009
What's it all about?
In 2002 I shaved my head for charity. I was in Australia on a working holiday at the time, and I had recently split from my ex-girlfriend, Jo A, who I went travelling with in the 1st place. I was feeling pretty low at that time, and I felt like I needed to do something to re-establish some semblance of self-esteem, so i wanted to do something 'good' to remind myself that I was a good person. I was also curious to see what my head would look like with no hair.
Although I am glad I did it, shaving my head did not have the desired effect on my confidence and self-esteem, in fact it had the opposite effect. I hated myself with no hair (I have an ugly head, all bumps and ridges) so I did myself no favours by doing it, even though I raised some good money for leukemia research.
If this was a conscious decision, I wonder if my motives for running the marathon can be paralleled with my reasons for the head shave in 2002?
My ex-girlfriend Jo A was the love of my life, my inspiration, I would never have gone travelling if it wasn't for her. But we split soon after we arrived in Oz and I was devastated, alone, and on the other side of the world. I had always thought back to this moment as the low point in my life, but for some months now I have started to feel similar or worse, sometimes I feel like I have no meaning, direction or structure to my life.
Of course I have recently been through another break up, with my ex, (also called Jo) and this time it feels much harder because it was my decision to leave. Jo C was my lover and companion of 5 years, we had been through huge changes on our lives together, supporting each other throughout. We went on adventures. Guilt plays a big part. Did I make the right decision? I do wish now that I had taken more time. I feel like the things that define me as a person are being stripped away one by one. I was a Greenpeace activist, but I have not been able to get that going in London, I had a VW camper, which has now been sold, I was a home owner and I made life choices that were important to the way I want to live, like buying local food, supporting local businesses, networking with other local activists. Most importantly I was Jo's boyfriend, I was half-her/half-me and now that whole sense of identity has been lost.
This week I have been able to unpack my stuff for the 1st time since November, when I moved in with my brother. In one sense this is great because my life now has some structure and order, at least I know where my stuff is, but it also has a sense of finality to it, drawing a line under the old life and starting a new one.
If its been hard for me its been hell for, Jo, stuck in our house in Huddersfield and trying to come to terms with it all. I am sorry Jo. We have spoken a few times but I don't think it has helped make any sense of it all. It must be easy for Jo to think I have been living it up in London but its not been like that.
But Jo, if you ever doubted that I loved, or the way I felt about you,
Remember me singing to you while we sat smoking in the gutter in Notting Hill,
Remember me brushing your teeth for you when you couldn't do it for yourself
Remember me giving you my shoes when yours were hurting your feet
Remember me designing a menu for you and cooking a meal on your birthday
Remember Friday nights in the Dusty Miller
Remember cleaning the carpets drunk at midnight
Remember the holidays, the camping, the vans, Wimbledon, Ireland, Barcelona,
Remember the Faithless gig where I got my willy out to cheer you up.
You wont know this but whenever I made a wish, blowing out candles or snapping the wishbone, it was always the same wish: For Jo to be happy.
So now I wonder if running 26.2 miles can solve all of that? How can it? It might help to repair some of my self esteem but it can't mend my heart. And its going to take a lot of heart to finish it. This marathon is all about me, its my challenge and no-one else's, and I can't wait to take it on.
Then what will I do?
Although I am glad I did it, shaving my head did not have the desired effect on my confidence and self-esteem, in fact it had the opposite effect. I hated myself with no hair (I have an ugly head, all bumps and ridges) so I did myself no favours by doing it, even though I raised some good money for leukemia research.
If this was a conscious decision, I wonder if my motives for running the marathon can be paralleled with my reasons for the head shave in 2002?
My ex-girlfriend Jo A was the love of my life, my inspiration, I would never have gone travelling if it wasn't for her. But we split soon after we arrived in Oz and I was devastated, alone, and on the other side of the world. I had always thought back to this moment as the low point in my life, but for some months now I have started to feel similar or worse, sometimes I feel like I have no meaning, direction or structure to my life.
Of course I have recently been through another break up, with my ex, (also called Jo) and this time it feels much harder because it was my decision to leave. Jo C was my lover and companion of 5 years, we had been through huge changes on our lives together, supporting each other throughout. We went on adventures. Guilt plays a big part. Did I make the right decision? I do wish now that I had taken more time. I feel like the things that define me as a person are being stripped away one by one. I was a Greenpeace activist, but I have not been able to get that going in London, I had a VW camper, which has now been sold, I was a home owner and I made life choices that were important to the way I want to live, like buying local food, supporting local businesses, networking with other local activists. Most importantly I was Jo's boyfriend, I was half-her/half-me and now that whole sense of identity has been lost.
This week I have been able to unpack my stuff for the 1st time since November, when I moved in with my brother. In one sense this is great because my life now has some structure and order, at least I know where my stuff is, but it also has a sense of finality to it, drawing a line under the old life and starting a new one.
If its been hard for me its been hell for, Jo, stuck in our house in Huddersfield and trying to come to terms with it all. I am sorry Jo. We have spoken a few times but I don't think it has helped make any sense of it all. It must be easy for Jo to think I have been living it up in London but its not been like that.
But Jo, if you ever doubted that I loved, or the way I felt about you,
Remember me singing to you while we sat smoking in the gutter in Notting Hill,
Remember me brushing your teeth for you when you couldn't do it for yourself
Remember me giving you my shoes when yours were hurting your feet
Remember me designing a menu for you and cooking a meal on your birthday
Remember Friday nights in the Dusty Miller
Remember cleaning the carpets drunk at midnight
Remember the holidays, the camping, the vans, Wimbledon, Ireland, Barcelona,
Remember the Faithless gig where I got my willy out to cheer you up.
You wont know this but whenever I made a wish, blowing out candles or snapping the wishbone, it was always the same wish: For Jo to be happy.
So now I wonder if running 26.2 miles can solve all of that? How can it? It might help to repair some of my self esteem but it can't mend my heart. And its going to take a lot of heart to finish it. This marathon is all about me, its my challenge and no-one else's, and I can't wait to take it on.
Then what will I do?
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Running, Fundraising, sorting your life out
Good Morning Sports Fans,
If you are a follower of this blog I feel I must apologise for the rather sporadic nature of these blogs, its purely down to time.
Its quite hard for me at the moment to juggle training, fundraising, a busy time at work and decorating Rob and Erin's house (what where I live). Rest is important too, and if I am honest this is my favorite of all these things!
Firstly, let me tell you how training is going, I ran 16 miles last week in 2 and a half hours, it was hilly too so not bad. I am about to go for an 18 mile run after I have finished this...
Secondly, fundraising is going well too, I have now raised over £1100, I had a big jump last Friday from the Race Night organised by myself and my friend and colleague the Fabulous Krysia Longmore, which brought in over £320, so thanks to everyone that came and thanks to Krysia for being a star and for helping to make the night a success. Race Night part 2 is due to be in London on the 3rd April...
Thirdly, house decorating is going well too, Rob and Erin have been doing up their spare room so that I can rent it from them, its nearly done now, we laid the floor yesterday and it looks ace.
Right, I had better go for that run,
Bye!
If you are a follower of this blog I feel I must apologise for the rather sporadic nature of these blogs, its purely down to time.
Its quite hard for me at the moment to juggle training, fundraising, a busy time at work and decorating Rob and Erin's house (what where I live). Rest is important too, and if I am honest this is my favorite of all these things!
Firstly, let me tell you how training is going, I ran 16 miles last week in 2 and a half hours, it was hilly too so not bad. I am about to go for an 18 mile run after I have finished this...
Secondly, fundraising is going well too, I have now raised over £1100, I had a big jump last Friday from the Race Night organised by myself and my friend and colleague the Fabulous Krysia Longmore, which brought in over £320, so thanks to everyone that came and thanks to Krysia for being a star and for helping to make the night a success. Race Night part 2 is due to be in London on the 3rd April...
Thirdly, house decorating is going well too, Rob and Erin have been doing up their spare room so that I can rent it from them, its nearly done now, we laid the floor yesterday and it looks ace.
Right, I had better go for that run,
Bye!
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