Week 1 – A very happy & healthy 2016 everyone – Edinburgh Marathon here we come!
So here we are, at the start of a new year and for Graeme & I in the Summer it will be the start of our 50th decade… Eek!
Running has been a very important part of my life for over 13 years now and as for Graeme, the poor old boy has been pounding the streets for 25. Our local running club, Stroud Athletics Club is where we have spent many enjoyable hours and we have met so many good friends over the years. We have competed in local races ranging from 5k’s, off-road relays up to half marathons. However, in my case I have never completed a marathon so after a few too many drinks on New Year’s Eve and some arm twisting from our friends Dave & Mike we have only gone and done it, we have, we have signed up for the Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May!!!
Some people have asked “Why Edinburgh?”. Well it’s simple, the London Marathon is very hard to get into and if you run for charity which is easier to do you have to raise at least £1200 which is more or less impossible to do in our cases. Edinburgh on the other hand can be entered for £55 and is a smaller race with, I am told, a flat course. Liking the sound of that!
To say I am scared in an under statement, I’ve had a few restless nights already fretting about the task ahead. Graeme bless him, last run a marathon in 1999 and has kindly offered to help me get to grips with the task in hand and get on that start line. I also have lots of friends training for London, Brighton & Paris marathons with a lot of experience so I am sure I will be seeking their support and advice. Wish us luck everyone, I think there will be some sweat & tears ahead!
Today, Sunday 3rd January we set off in the pouring rain for our first training run and what a grim one it was . We parked at Rush Skatepark at Brimscombe and ran out in the pouring rain towards Chalford on the canal path & back on the road. The canal was flooded so on two occasions we waded through water up to just below our knees and it was puddles and mud all the way out to the Chalford playing field !!! No need for us to pay for a Mudrunner or Sodbury Slog folks!!! We completed 6 miles and returned home soaked through but felt very satisfied to have kick started the training schedule.
