The Challenge: Where did this daft idea come from? I ran my first marathon for Sense in April 2013. The Brighton Marathon. My best friend Dan called me out of the blue, to tell me that Sense had places left in the Brighton marathon, and did I want to do it with him. I should mention that I'd not long completed the Dublin Marathon and was giving myself a break. Soon as he asked me, I said yes instantly! So much for a rest! I couldn't say no for 2 reasons.1. I wanted to run a marathon with my best friend, as it would be his first.
So, what my friend Dan needs to realise, is that all of this is his fault! As it turns out, he pulled out of it due to injury, so I had to go it alone!
During the Brighton Marathon, I started struggling from about the 9th mile. My body was not my friend that day. I think it was still recovering from the Dublin Marathon. The only thing that was going to get me through the next 17.2 miles (that is still a loooong way to go!!) was mental strength and that is what I'm best at. I started thinking about the children in my school, and what I could do to raise more money for Sense. What should pop into my head? Not only running ANOTHER marathon but to run one BLINDFOLDED. I couldn't stop thinking about what a great idea it was. Of course, if I was to do it, it would have to be done at the London Marathon. Before I knew it I was at mile 24. I had blocked out the pain and mastered a plan. The first thing I said when I finished was "I'm gonna run a marathon blindfolded!" Obviously I was looked at like I'd lost my marbles.
Sure enough, I got myself a place for the London Marathon through Sense. I'm quite sure the London organisers weren't so keen on me running blindfold, as the message I got back from them was "we don't advise running with a blindfold!" Oh, you don't advise it, but you're not saying I can't do it!? And anyway, I'm sure it's not advisable to run with fridges on your back or run it in stilts but people do these amazing, crazy things.
During my training for the Brighton Marathon, I'd already secured my place in The Berlin Marathon for that year. As it was approaching, I decided to create a longer lasting challenge. I had always wanted to run the Berlin Marathon but wasn't sure where I'd take myself after I had done it. So.... As you'd guessed it, 15 marathons in 15 months was born. Well in actual fact, it started as 10 marathons in 12 months, but it didn't sit right with me. It didn't sound very impressive saying it out loud. Plus the numbers not matching was too much for my OCD! 15 in 15 months sounded more ideal.
My journey is set and I'm ready to raise £5000 for Sense.
No comments:
Post a Comment