Tag Archives: Macmillan

Finisher!

I did it! It was a hot day and I faded in the 2nd half, but I finished.

My time was 3 hours 10 minutes, which is slow, but this wouldn’t have been possible just 8 weeks ago. My training got me through. That and the support of my wonderful family and friends. I was shuffling along in the 2nd half looking convincingly every day of my 65 years! But then the finish came into sight and I made a concerted effort to look a bit like a runner as I crossed the line.

The red hair dye was fun, but red sweat dripped down my face and into my eyes.

Thank you to everyone who donated to Macmillan Cancer Support:

Jane, Daniela, Turner family, John and Linda, Doug and Diane, Millie, Joy, Mark, Peter, the Tyndall family and two anonymous donors.

Your gifts really did give me encouragement. Macmillan Cancer support offer support to people at a very vulnerable time. I am so grateful for my wife’s recovery this year. This run was an expression of my gratitude to God for his love, care and support through a challenging chapter.

If you would like to donate, it’s not too late. This is a link to my JustGiving page.

Bournemouth half marathon training

Trainers and hair colour

It’s not all about the numbers. Three weeks to go until race day. The mileage is going up and the weight is coming down. Training is quite intense at the moment and its hard not to obsess about the little things.

I was doing my hill repeats this week. I do these on a quiet road not far from home. The road drops away quite sharply and there are stunning views across the Stour valley looking toward Canford Heath. I can run up and down a short section to my heart’s content and only see one or two vehicles and maybe the odd dog walker. There are a few houses on either side of the road, but only occasionally will I see one of their occupants.

I was on my 7th repeat out of 8 and struggled uphill before turning back down for the final climb. One of the occupants of a house on the right hand side of the road was in his driveway. He saw me and stopped what he was doing. I thought he was going to tell me to go and find another hill to run up and down, but he didn’t. He raised his right hand and gave me a cheery wave signifying approval of my exertions – I’ve never met the chap before. The effect surprised me. I reached the bottom of the hill and turned to climb again. My step was lighter. I picked up speed and gave it just a little more effort. I didn’t see the man as I passed his house on the left, but that didn’t matter. His simple gesture of encouragement raised my spirits and made me try just that little bit harder.

I’ve replaced my old trainers this week. And I have selected my hair colour – rebel red – which I’m hoping will wash out in my post race shower. There is a possibility, I guess, that its going to take more than one wash, in which case I may go through various stages of pink, before returning to my normal gray.

I’ve mentioned previously that I will be running with friends and family, so this is a shout out to those I am aware of who I believe will be there at the finish line: Doug, Debbie, Amy, Phoebe, Edd and Matt.

This is a link to my Just Giving page for anyone who would like to support me – Macmillan Cancer Support.