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Tag: London_Marathon

Posted
October 5, 2022
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London Marathon, Uncategorized
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Getting by with a little help from my friends: Recovering from injury to running a surprise marathon for South London Special League

On Sunday 2 October 2022, I joined thousands of other runners in London and across the globe in the Virtual London Marathon. 26.2 miles in aid of a new PowerChair for Greenwich Powerchair Football Club (GPFC). 

But, as I tentatively laced up my trainers to join my friend Rachel Mai-Jones on her specially designed course along the Thames Path, I had no idea how far round I’d actually get. 

I had done zero Marathon training due to badly inuring my left leg during my first week of training in June.

But once I was out with Rachel on Marathon Sunday, crossing part of the main London Marathon route, I slowly started to relax, enjoy every step and be purely in the moment. I wasn’t running for a time.

(L-R – Blackheath road closures, Woolwich Road before the London Marathon arrived, Woolwich Road after the London Marathon has passed through.)

I was running purely for the enjoyment, being with my friends, dissolving into something bigger than myself, raising money for our local charity, South London Special League.

Rachel had designed a beautiful Virtual Marathon – including tea and home-baked fruit cake stops along the way from her mobile support van! We ran along some of the main London Marathon route in Greenwich and Woolwich followed by a gloriously sunny loop with friends along the Thames Path from Woolwich to the Thamesmead Pumping Station and back.

It was a magical day, showing me what’s possible when we all pull together. Being in the present moment with friends, their positive energy driving me on from injury, running together for a great cause.

Donate towards a new powerchair for Greenwich Powerchair Football club here.

Posted
November 2, 2020
Category
London Marathon, Pandemic
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My First London Marathon

26.2 cold and soggy miles, over £2,500 raised for South London Special League.

One of the most challenging things I have ever done…

I spent much of Friday afternoon staring apprehensively out of the window at the rain pouring down relentlessly. Visions of me twisting my ankle in Oxleas Woods led to a rapid rethink of my planned route. The carefully mapped out circular route via the Green Chain and Oxleas Woods seemed a wonderful idea on a crisp Autumnal day, less so during a downpour.

Just about to head out on my very first marathon…

First loop – Westcombe Park, Blackheath, Lewisham Way to Cator Park and back – 14 miles

The only other people I saw out that day were bedraggled dog walkers and other marathon runners, easily identifable even if their numbers weren’t visible under their wet weather gear by the look of stoic determination. As we passed each other, we high-fived and continued our unique journeys towards the magic 26.2 miles, step by wet and soggy step.

Second Loop – Westcombe Park, Thames Path to Rotherhithe and back – 12 miles

Final 6 miles – run a couple of steps, walk a couple of steps to a landmark a little in the distance. A car, a statue, a lampost. Wince, walk, swear, run repeat…

My neighbours saw me run out and were following me on the Virgin Marathon app. They were waiting for me to stagger back round the corner. I’d miscalculated the final 0.2 miles which meant I’d finished at the bottom of the hill instead of at the top. I very nearly flagged down a bus to take me that final bit.

Once Lockdown is over, South London Special League are going to spend the money we raised to provide tennis on Friday morning in Greenwich Park.

Sunday October 3rd 2021 will be my second London Marathon. I’ll be running once more for South London Special League, helping raise money for Friday Morning tennis in Greenwich Park. I’m looking forward to watching the sessions and the players develop over the year and will provide an update here.