#thebenevolent

I have now run further than I have run in my entire life! 

The Musketeers were depleted in their number as injury and half marathons reduced our numbers to two, but we started out determined.

Unfortunately the weather was not as glorious as it was on Saturday, but still mild enough to shed the customary hat, gloves and layers that have been obligatory so far.

So we started running and running and more running.  Up hills, down hills; past pubs and along roads with the usual stops for refuel and water along the way.  The route took us through some glorious Surrey and Sussex countryside and down some rather busy byways.

It was a gruelling run that demanded and pushed both to and past comfortable limits.  Tempers were pushed and we ended up growling at cars and cursing the hills that hurt our legs.

By the end, it was a run - walk - run - walk accompanied by a medley of songs to raise our flagging spirits.

And finally, three hours and forty minutes after we started we stumbled to the finish line.  

With huge thanks to my lovely running buddy Meg for her encouragement (and singing).  One more step along the road we go....!

On top of the world, looking down on creation......

Another Sunday and another run.  Thankfully the weather improved from the wind and rain that lashed the windows on Saturday and instead the sun shone; the flowers had started to bloom and it could even be called warm...

Over 16 miles this week and my knee was not happy, probably because my new pair of shoes had given me a massive blister.

However; what got me through was the band of merry women that I am running with.  We are now 7 weeks into our training and we have shared the miles, the moans, the high hills and the lows as we have run around the highways and byways of Sussex.

Which made me think of changing the lyrics to a song - (with apologies to The Carpenters...)

I am at the top of the hill

Lookin’, down on creation

And the only explanation I can find

Are the friends that I’ve found

Every since I’ve run around

Your help has put me at the top of the hill!

It has been over two weeks since I last posted about my running exploits and things are beginning to hurt.  Not that they haven’t already been aching, but this is long-term; in for the distance.  The long run mileage is increasing with 12 hilly miles; followed by 14.5 - we are now in serious marathon training country - distance is all.

Because I am putting so much stress on my body and it is taking such a pounding of miles on the tarmac; prevention and maintenance are essential. I am currently getting through what seems like miles of sports tape; strapping up my knee and ankles to provide support during the hours of running and not exacerbate old injuries. 

When I get home on a Sunday; despite the desire to flop down and sleep; I do a series of stretches to try and keep the muscles from cramping; before attacking them with the ‘torture tool’ (as my son calls it).  This contraption resembles a rolling pin with three spikey balls in the middle and when rolled over the glutes; IT bands and calves it loosens the tight muscles and promotes healing.  It also makes me wince, shout and use some very colourful language.   

To add to the pain; the next step is to stand in the bath and pour alternating cold and warm water over my legs to try and stop any niggling injuries before a soak in a bath with epsom salts.  

Once a month I am going for an MOT massage at my friendly osteopath which just keeps everything well oiled and moving - but again is not the most comfortable of events; less lotus flowers and calming music and more squealing as a tender spot is hit.

But when it all seems impossible.  When them miles seem unachievable I have to remind myself why I am doing.  I am running 26.2 miles for The Benevolent  This charity supports anyone who works or has worked in the UK Drinks Trade and needs help - be it physical, social, mental or economic.  

Another Sunday and another long run.  I felt more prepared this week; sorted the distance out; was trying a new nutrition plan (okay consuming jelly babies at regular intervals) and had been pounded into submission by my friendly Osteopath so was raring to go.

And then the weather took a turn....

Last week it was actually warm; the sun was shining, the birds were singing and you could almost believe that Spring was just around the corner.  Such a contrast to this week with its leaden skies and icy rain pouring down.

However, that didn’t stop the intrepid Marathon Training Team from Horsham Joggers.  It was a fourteen-mile route (well just under but so hilly that it apparently gave the same workout).  Six miles in and we climbed up the rolling hills of the Weald and the rain turned to snow, cold and wet as it fell; freezing fingers and numbing toes.

The only reassurance we could give ourselves as we ran through the inclement weather was that the chance of it snowing on the 22nd April in London are hopefully fairly slim....!

“Training for a Marathon is so selfish,” was the comment bandied around at the end of our 13 mile ‘long run’ on Sunday.  There were six of us left, collapsed on the edge of the pavement outside the leisure centre, aching limbs and sweaty faces on all of us.  

Naturally, I felt myself quiver with a shot of anger - selfish, how could this be selfish?  I had just run (okay run and walked a bit) for 13 miles; training for the London Marathon to fundraise for The Benevolent.  This wasn’t selfish, this was so altruistic that I should be put forward for a medal.

But as I calmed down; as my aching limbs revived and my head cleared, I could see the point of the comment.  It is true; there is no room to do this half-heartedly.  Running a marathon requires time and dedication - hours of it.  Apart from the sheer time spent running several days a week, there is also the physical and mental recovery; the hours spent having limbs massaged back into action; the afternoons that are given over to ‘recovering’ (and not doing anything else at home) - yes the training is selfish.

So, although I am running this marathon for a good cause - a shout out also needs to go out to all the people who are affected by this selfish form of altruism. My family; who I abandon three or four times a week; the support crew at Horsham Joggers who give up their time to plan the routes and meet us with snacks and drinks during and after the run and to the more established joggers who pace us round; offering advice and words of encouragement.  To my wider family and friends who have basically been told that there is no chance of meeting up in the near future at the weekends (unless they wish to jog alongside me).

So here is a shout out to selfishness and the selfish support crew.  Please make their sacrifice (and mine) worthwhile.

I am running the London Marathon for The Benevolent.  This is 26.2 miles and I wish to raise £5,000.  Please sponsor me at  http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarathonPip