Lynne Burdon View Lynne's training diary
Well it's certain isn't it - I am having my mid life crisis. Why else would a 51 year old overweight solicitor with a dodgy hip even think of running a marathon! The last time I ran anywhere at all was nearly 40 years ago when we were all made to run school cross country runs! When I tell my friends what I am planning to do they give me a very strange look as if I have gone completely mad then try to muster up some words of encouragement.
It's not accurate to say this will be a life changing event - it has already become a life changing event, wardrobes filled with lycra shorts, subscription to Runners World, a case of Sancerre that has lasted more than a month...
It isn't easy getting out of bed an hour and a half before I have to be anywhere else 4 times a week to trot around the streets of Barnsbury. I started training in March and the first time I tried I only just managed to run one full minute! I can now run for 3 minutes and repeat it a few times after a couple of minutes rest - but 26.2 miles still seems completely impossible.
There are some fun moments - well I can think of one - when running around Barnsbury Square at about 7am a couple of weeks ago I heard a padding of feet behind me, I thought it was a dog following me but when I turned around to have a look it was a fox. It followed me for about 20 yards before it turned around and ran back into the Square - I must have been going too fast for it!
I guess I have already run (well walked mostly) about 50 miles - I think I still have around 500 to go. The dodgy hip is hurting bad today.
But those who know me well will know that once I make my mind up I will give it my very best shot. When I am out I think of the wheelchair I am helping to buy for some kid who really does want to take part in a marathon and it really does spur me on to go just that bit further.
Please dig deep in your pockets for this one - I am definitely pushing myself to the limit!