#LondonMarathon from a spectators point of view

Our family are just back from a weekend in London having watched one of my sons (James) complete the London Marathon.

The London Marathon is a famous event - one of the earliest and biggest mass participation marathons - one of the most prestigious - and set in the heart of this incredible city with some of the world's most iconic landmarks and buildings. It is a hard marathon to even achieve entry in - such is the demand.

It was a truly wonderful weekend. The positivity, emotion and endeavor that surrounds all marathon runs is just amazing in London. It is the scale - the sense that this is the big one - this is the one to do. So many great people who have made such a fantastic commitment to be there. They have planned, dreamed of, now are doing this monumental marathon and it feels like the center of the world. It can hardly get better than that.There are so many spectators there to offer wonderful and heartfelt support to the thousands of runners and particularly their friends and family.

Like most marathon focused families we travelled to London early on Saturday. Runners have to collect their numbers from the huge Expo at the massive ExCel arena. The atmosphere builds. For us it was an extra special day as it was James's and his twin brother George's birthday. We had the good fortune to be staying overnight at the RORC headquarters in St James's Place, Mayfair. In the early evening we walked up to Leicester Square to enjoy the fantastic buzz. A few drinks - (James on water and orange juice) - and then a special birthday dinner (missed you Vic & Phil & the girls but know you were very much there in spirit) at Lobster & Burger - although James of course had to take it easy even on his birthday - such is the commitment of the marathon runner.

Next morning - and early rise. Focus totally on James. His preparation including breakfast has been well planned. George and I head off with him for the 10am start at Greenwich Park. It was a lovely fresh still morning. Very quiet. Tube was almost entirely made up of quiet focused runners and their support team and helpful animated marshalls. Greenwich Park is a superb place - serene and historic with the Observatory and the magnificent  National Maritime Museum at the bottom of the hill - but the atmosphere builds. Excitement is in the air. So many cameras. So many athletes. This is the world renowned London Marathon start. Soon we have to leave James as he enters the runners pen. This is emotional. He is on his own now.

George and I walk down to Greenwich village through the park to get to the 6 mile point. There are masses of excited people lining the road on both sides as there are throughout the course - but it is never too much. We get a leisurely coffee and bacon roll and await the runners.

It is not long before the elite runners with their pacers come through. What a sight. How is it possible to run so fast for so long? Amazing. And then the main body starts to come through - an endless stream of fantastic hardworking earnest runners. Hearts go out to them. They are undertaking such a monumental journey and they still have so far to go.The crowd offer magnificent support punctuated by very specific encouragement when someone recognized comes through. Watching thousands of people coming through while trying to pick out just one special runner is mesmerizing and sometimes disorientating. We see James. He seems to be working too hard - not his usual big smile. As is so easy to do in the excitement and atmosphere he is probably going too fast. The London Marathon APP tracker says he is on 3.45 pace.

We then walk into Greenwich village and plan to move via the tube or DLR to try and see James further down the course. Of course this is a common plan. We plan to rendezvous with Rich and Laura. A tip. Plan your viewing intensions like a military operation. When - where - which tube - which stations etc. We didn't do a bad job but did it on the hoof - we could have done it better. (we know of a running coach who seen his runner - a 2 hour 16 minute man ! 6 times on the course).

It is easy to get emotional watching the marathon. Such a range of people. So many running styles. They are all trying so hard - putting so much in - and of course the effort begins to show in many faces. Eventually we see James at 16 miles. He is going ok but still a bit of concern - there is still a huge distance to go. The crowds really are fantastic. What a carnival atmosphere. Everyone is fortunate - the weather is so kind - warmish but not too warm - and no wind - and certainly no showers.

We have no choice. We plan to go to the finish area. The tube is busy but the atmosphere is great - it doesn't matter. We exit Westminster. What a great decision. Half a kilometer or so to go. We are close to BIG BEN -a constant tide of exhausted grim faced but elated runners. They are getting there. A few more yards and it is done. The crowds are so animated. Cheering. Woop Woop. Absolutely emotional wonderful positive atmosphere. Totally inspiring human effort. Great people really living their life - their dream. The hardest hearted would see this for what it is - a great human spirit on display. James comes through. He is looking great. He sees us. A magnificent beaming smile. Fighting back tears.

And then we make our way up Whitehall - past Downing Street to the meet and greet area. It is so busy. We have to find James. It is a bit disorientating even with a clear plan. The atmosphere is tremendous but the only priority is to find James and look after him. Eventually we do. He is wrapped in a foil blanket but he is good. He is quiet but he perks up. 4 hours 8 Minutes - a great effort indeed. We are so pleased for him - so proud of him.

James has run for Save the Children and they have a recovery facility. We are chaperoned there. Light refreshment - massage - photos and plaudits. Runners re tale their experiences. They all say - fantastic - the best thing they have ever done. They all say how magnificent the supporting crowds were. Tired. Emotional. Exhilarated. What a combination.

Eventually we get James back for a shower and eventually beer and dinner (at The Stage Door Inn - Waterloo). He wears his medal proudly - and so rightly so. A wonderful inspiring day capped by James making an impromptu thank you speech to brother George for masterminding and doing so much to encourage him through his marathon training program.

It was wonderful to see James battle through  and finish so strongly. To see and feel the support and concern and expressed by the whole family including through What's App and the mob and BBC coverage. Facebook is buzzing. (Great stuff Vic, Phil & Mike)

And for me this time I could watch and enjoy the marathon without a monkey on my back. No guilt. No pressure. I have now run one too. My Paris 2017 effort two weeks earlier might have been in a chronically slow time but it means a lot to me. Now I can relax and I can appreciate with deep emotion and comradery the joy of being a marathon runner who completed the course - who wanted to be tested and came through it.

Any marathon is great. The London Marathon is the clearly a most special event. It would be a better world if everyone could have a go at it. It is so positive for the human spirit. What a weekend.

James getting his number at the expo

RORC St Jame's Place

Family birthday dinner for the twins. Lobster & Burger (re bibs)

Early breakfast for James on the run morning.

James ready to go.

Walking to the start at Greenwich Park

A few hundred yards to go. The best vid ever. James being encouraged home by youngest son Richard.

A well earned beer and dinner to follow at The Stage Door Waterloo

James at the finish having raised money for Save the Children

The end of a magnificent day of achievement for James

#GeneralElection2017

Theresa May has triggered a General Election on June 8th. To do so she has had secure a two thirds majority in the House of Commons to comply with the 5 Year Fixed Term Parliament legislation. That was achieved yesterday with a majority of over 500.

I will give below my answers to two fundamental questions that arise as a result. They are:

1) Why she has done it now - particularly as she has previously ruled it out?

2) What will be the likely outcome?

Question 1) - why now? Her critics - her detractors - say it is naked opportunism - bare politics ie the Labour opposition is in disarray and she sees an easy chance of increasing the Conservative majority and extend her tenure by at least another 2 years. They point out that she previously publically ruled this course of action out as stability in the face of the Brexit negotiations was paramount and a General election would undermine it. She is therefore putting personal and party ambition above the national interest and broken her word and consequently cannot be trusted. This in my opinion is a harsh and unfair (silly) assessment because I believe it has been done for the wider national interest but it would be disingenuous not to concede bolstering both her and her parties position is not a highly desirable political spin off. So why?

• TM is committed to delivering the referendum outcome. It is the right and democratic thing to do. Stating the obvious - achieving Brexit is a massive political challenge. Stating the obvious TM wants to get the best possible Brexit deal from the EU. In order to do so our government have to be strong and determined in negotiation. That can only be achieved if our leadership is secure and clear sighted. Evidently with a small majority, the opposition playing political games with the issue - and the House of Lords threatening to overplay their hand - she does not feel she has the clear mandate she needs. This GE will hopefully make her position unequivocal and will massively help our negotiating position. This is the real world.
• If the 5 year fixed term parliament ran its full course the necessary General Election would coincide with the end of the Brexit negotiation period. It is highly likely this will be the most critical period and to have the two falling at the same time would create weakness and insecurity and likely be too much to handle efficiently. Holding a GE now avoids this happening and further there is a unique window of opportunity now (a clear space while the EU are formulating their negotiating position and before negotiations actually start.) 
• Her opponents regularly snipe that TM has no personal mandate because she was not elected at a GE. This addresses that issue and is highly desirable.

With regard accusations of U Turn etc - this is just juvenile politicking. Obviously the need for confidence and continuity were paramount immediately after the referendum. She had no choice in the national interest but to rule out an early election. As the issues around the Brexit process have become clear it is very evident it is now in the national interest that she secures a clear and timely fresh mandate. This is not self serving opportunism but mature and responsible leadership. It is not a U Turn - but a wise decision based on the change of circumstances in which she now has to operate. (in the referendum debate NO remainers referred to the issue of the type of Brexit - it has only since their loss that they have come up with soft and hard Brexit. There are no such things of course. There is only Brexit.) She needs a new democratic mandate to make Brexit clear and to counter the remoaner rearguard. This is in our interest because to half leave would be the worst possible outcome for our nation.

2) What will be the likely outcome? While nothing is guaranteed it is likely the following will happen :

• There are objective grounds for predicting the Conservatives will secure a massive majority - say 100 - 200. Rational analysis of the Corbyn led Labour party is they are unfit to lead our nation and this is widely accepted by many of their own MP's.
• The Labour Party are all over the place on Brexit and will try and make this GE about anything other than Brexit. I doubt they will succeed but they might.
• I think the SNP will be damaged in the GE. My feeling is they have overplayed the nationalist card, have aligned too strongly with the EU and free movement of people and their day to day management of the Scottish economy is not as good as they pretend. These chickens will gradually start to come home to roost.
• UKIP will be badly marginalized as long as TM continues with her current Brexit stance in the soon to be published Tory manifesto.
• The Liberal Democrats will benefit from a dysfunctional Labour Party and will suck up an anti Brexit protest vote.
• The Conservatives will rightly project the case to fear a coalition government of Labour/SNP/Greens and probably Liberals or a re run of a Conservative/Liberal coalition. At this critical time in our nations history this outcome would be a disaster and the electorate would be extremely foolish to allow it to happen.
• I suspect objective and rational might not be enough and the final outcome will be a majority of 50 - 100. This outcome will certainly be enough to have justified the GE and assure the best chance of a properly managed and negotiated Brexit. (In fact too big a majority may pose problems in itself by leading to indiscipline in the back benches.) It would also bring about the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn.

However my concern is the content of the yet to be published Tory manifesto. I see this as a potential torpedo that could shift the whole momentum of the GE. I shall explain :-

As we seen in the last budget when the Chancellor had to roll back on NI changes because they conflicted with the Cameron manifesto - what is in or out of the manifesto is potentially political dynamite. The May government would certainly like to remove ring fenced pledges and so called "promises" not to do things in the areas of tax and spend. Mainly these things relate to budgetary matters and the hard and unpalatable actions required to bring down the deficit further. One such is the pension "triple lock". This is widely held to be very expensive, too favorable to pensioners and at the expense of younger people. However watering down this mechanism at this time - while maybe appropriate and maybe fair could easily upset the electoral apple cart at this critical time. There is also some talk of removing the undertaking to get immigration down to the 10's of thousands - and replace it with something along the lines of the "immigration numbers we need" which might be more practical. However such a move will help UKIP and lose the Conservatives votes.

So TM must not be too greedy with her manifesto. She would be wise to keep it simple and non controversial in order to keep the focus on "strong competent leadership" to secure the best possible Brexit. Almost everything else has to be secondary at this time in my view. Rome was not built in one term - ha!

#ParisMarathon2017 how it was for me - monkey on my back now off my back

It is early Easter Sunday morning. I have had my gentle bike ride along the sea wall at Seaview - and a light two mile jog around the woods. One week ago I finished the Paris Marathon. It is time to finish my blog about it. (to put into better context see my previous "monkeyonmyback" blogs).

The monkey is finally off my back. I did manage to run every yard of the Paris Marathon. Perhaps I do not need to say much more - but I am writing this blog for general interest too - so I should - given the monumental build up - ha!.

9th April 2017 had been in my diary for a long time. It was a long time coming. I had been training for the marathon on this day for a long time - mainly over the grim winter. When Sunday morning finally arrived I was looking forward to it - definitely - I wanted to get on with it - but I have to admit I felt some apprehension and uncertainty - for reasons I have explained in earlier blogs. It was also very warm and forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far. It turned out to be very hot - a big factor for the runners - and for the spectators for that matter.

According to the Paris Marathon official web site 57000 people registered to run. 43754 started - a big difference. I guess there were many reasons - change of circumstances, priorities, injuries of course - but probably a lot just chickened out - because the training is hard. I was one of those in 2015 - but I made it to the start line this time. On the day there were 42441 finishers - so 1250 never completed. I finished 39891 in 5 hours 39 minutes - so there were quite a few behind me - and I feel for them - massive respect.

My time was very slow by majority standards - and slower than I hoped for - but actually does it matter to me? It should not matter because I know I did the best I could. What does matter - and makes me feel deeply satisfied - and yes somewhat emotional when I think about - is I ran every yard. I did not walk. I ran a marathon. I am not knocking the ones - hundreds in fact - probably several thousand who walked some of the course. It maybe a legitimate and effective tactic. Run - walk some - run again. Certainly I was aware that I kept passing people that looked familiar. But this is not how I wanted to do my one and only marathon. So for me just run - even if it is very slow in the end - a shuffle and probably not much more than walking pace!

Here are some random thoughts about the day - because there were so many - and it is difficult to order them :

• The start is on the Champs Elysee which is pretty incredible. When you register for the Paris Marathon you have to state your projected time. You are then colour coded with different start times. Of course many must overstate their ability in order to start earlier. (PS on the day they will only let you into the pen in accordance to your code.)
  
• It was truly memorable at the start. I had left my family (my fantastic support crew - Victoria & George). The sun was out - a beautiful morning. I was surrounded by thousands of runners. Many were chattering. Most like me - seemed a bit anxious. I talked to a younger guy from the UK. He had done a half marathon in February and struggled and only one other short run. Weirdly this encouraged me. Made me feel I had prepared better than that - so oddly I won't be the only one under pressure. Daft! The upbeat music created a carnival atmosphere. The 9.40 pen left and we gradually moved down towards the start. Then one of the most emotional moments of the whole weekend - the speakers started blazing out The Black Eye Peas - "Tonight is going to be a good night". What a song for the moment. So positive - so encouraging - and me and thousands wondering if it would be. Thousands of runners clapping their hands over their heads. So infectious - a fantastic moment. Here is the track - I will love it for ever !!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA
• And then the start - very gently down hill - along the wide Parisian streets. It felt great. I was very aware - and running well - in the 9/10 minute mile pace. I wondered if I should slow down - save energy - but it wasn't feeling hard. I thought I would get some good distance under my belt - not sure of what the situation would be later. But it wasn't long before the lovely warm sun become a full on hot sun. It was the hottest day of the year and felt like it. This became a significant issue for the runners and the organizers because there was no hiding place except for the occasional building shadow or fleeting dappled light under a tree.
• The crowds really were great. Alesz allez! Lots of noise and music - bands - especially a lot of brass - at regular intervals. I tried to give them a little clap acknowledgement as I past - at least earlier on - to thank them for their efforts which really were meaningful and appreciated. On the bib number the organizers printed your christian name and nationality. Complete strangers shouted come on David, well done David, great effort David, you can do it David - not far to go David - almost always in the wonderful French accent. It was really appreciated - really helpful. If you are ever watching a marathon no doubt you encourage the runners. Do. Sometimes it really helps!
• Very few runners in the Paris Marathon are in dancy dress as the London Marathon. The course is largely a flat course but with a series of inclines on the underpasses - Seine side.
• As I have said it was a hot summers day albeit in the spring. It did not catch the organisers out. Bottled water and fruit was regularly available and was supplemented by the fire service creating huge showers with a hose and filling big bowls of water to use to cool ourselves. This was a godsend. I started without a cap but luckily picked Victoria and George out in crowd at around 11 miles (they missed me at 6 - I was too fast - ha!). They had the good sense to have my cap available. It made such a massive diference. At every water point I drank a bottle of water on the run but also soaked myself from the firemans bowls - poured a bottle of water down my back and filled my cap with water. Doing that every couple of miles helped hugely.
• One stand out memory was the regular sound of the unique French emergency sirens with medic vehicles and motor bikes negotiating through the runners.The runner attrition rate was obviously high. Ambulances and attendants were commonplace. I saw several runners on drips. Obviously dehydration was a big factor. It was a bit unnerving but I did everything I could to avoid it and actually despite chronically aching knees and muscle fatigue and a general sense of tiredness of course I feel I finished in pretty good shape.
• I saw Vicky and George at 20 Miles.It was great to see them.I felt very emotional. I knew I could finish from there. Maybe another hour and twenty. I had broken the back of it. There were many walking which somehow made me even more determined not too? When we chatted after the race Vic and George said how relieved they were to see me in reasonably good shape. Up to that point they admitted they were pretty anxious! Sorry kids!
• We ran along the Seine - past the Eiffel Tower - wonderful landmarks - but truthfully at that time I hardly looked. Just running - mind in a daze.
• Surprisingly much of the last part of the marathon was through woodland (I subsequently find out it is the Bois de Boulogne). The support was thinner but there were still plenty of support - lots of atmospheric music. It was mega hot - many runners walking. Weirdly - maybe masochistically - I sort of enjoyed those last 3 or 4 miles. It was not that I wasn't desperate to see the finish post - or that everything wasn't aching. They were. My legs were running themselves after doing the same thing for so many hours. I keep on about feeling emotional - but that is how it was. I knew I had prepared well. (No beer for 10 days, drank 5 or 6 pints of water each  day for the last week and carb loaded in the last few days). I knew I should be able to get there. I had the strength and motivation from not stopping. I knew for me I was going to pass the test. I was obsessed by working out the part distances in miles to go from the kilometer posts and relating to the regular training runs I do at home. All you have to do is to get home from the golf course, the boating lake, Appley café! I really like kilometers now. They come more regularly than miles - ha! I have found when training that trying to get your mind off the running and think about something else makes the miles go faster. For the whole Paris Marathon I couldn't do it. I just thought about the distance to go and finishing. When you are not even half way it is hard but as I got closer and closer it really was a fantastic lift.
• And then past the stunning Fondation Louis Vuitton building and emerge into the streets with the crowds clapping and cheering - half a kilometer to go. The finish in sight. Wow - a precious moment - you run in up the funnel - mesmerized by the faces - and arms raised just on the line - and then in a heap. Its done and I am safe. Thank you. Amazing. Have I really finished! Have a really done it!
• Runners are everywhere - happy tiredness prevails. My big medal is collected with a T Shirt that says Paris Marathon 2017 Finisher! I take on more water and slowly make my way through the runners village towards the Arc de Triomphe to meet George and Victoria. It is fantastic to see them - a big sweaty hug. They will look after me for the rest of the day. I am spent.
• I just want to sit down - more water - but then what I really fancy - like many other runners on this hot day - is a cold beer - and George quickly obliges. We sit there for a while amongst other runners and their families. A lovely Irish couple. Wow - it all felt so good. Vicky and George seemed so chuffed and relieved that it had all worked out well. (It is tough for the spectators too - rushing around Paris trying to get to points on the course for a fleeting moment as their runner passes.)
• Fleetingly I am disappointed when we find out my finish time - I thought I was faster. It is very slow. Vicky and George are having none of it. Dad you are nearly 63. You have RUN a marathon - the time doesn't matter! They were absolutely right. I know to my core I had run a marathon. In a perverse way being out there battling for over 5 and half hours on such a hot day added something extra. I have done it. In the great scheme of things so what? but it means something special to me - it always will.

Thereafter it was all great. A stagger back to the hotel - for a shower and recovery. A lovely dinner out - and the next day a sightseeing boat trip on the Seine, superb lunch at the Chat Noir in Pigalle (Pigalle is a famous suburb of Paris but I didn't realise it was their Soho with bells on!) before the Eurostar back to London.

It is done - the monkey is off my back. My wonderful daughter kept reminding me - dad you have run a marathon. I bloody have! I have no desire to run another marathon (I think - but this high is addictive though) but already I am missing the running. I am pretty sure I will keep ticking over - I will.

Finally mega mega thanks to my family and to Jo for all their encouragement and support. It meant/means so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS here are a couple of links to short videos of the Paris marathon 2017. They bring a lump to my throat. I was in there and part of the wonderful endeavor. Respect to anyone who runs a marathon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fDeUs1Cxhs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29gCwocwJK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7FoEHw7OiY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA

Here are some photos :

At the Expo the day before. Premature!

Anxious at the start. Knees covered with Deep Heat

It was a hot day - fireman's hose shower so welcome

Approaching Vicky & George around 20 miles. Don't know what I had to smile about. Very emotional. Fantastic to see them. I knew I was going to do it running every step.

Exhausted at the finish. Weirdly no sweat.

Not long before I start to perk up. Great feeling.

It was all worth it!

A lovely celebration dinner to follow on a balmy Parisian evening

We are all keen on snails

Notre Dame

Not keen to climb today

Weary the next day sightseeing - and it was much cooler!

#PrinceHarry mental health - councelling - victim mentality

Prince Harry has received many plaudits this weekend for being "brave" - for talking openly about his "issues". Apparently the stiff upper lip approach is no longer valid - we have to "deal" with our negatives by seeking counselling as soon as possible.

Is this good advice? It may be right for some. I suspect wrong for just as many.

More widely I think perpetuating a victim mentality is a blight on our society. It is always someone else's fault or you need closure by dragging up every last detail! You have a "right" to support. Poor you. How can you possibly be happy. How can you possibly take responsibility for your own life and the decisions you make? Of course there are many vested interests pedaling this type of philosophy to life - experts - councilors (a 2 year correspondence course ?) - life coaches - the ambulance chasing legal profession - politicians after your easy vote promising to help you be happy!

In October 2014 I wrote a blog on these type of issues. I have copied and pasted it below here :

I shall start by saying this is an entirely lay view. It is neither couched to be offensive or politically correct - but practical, responsible and well meaning.

In the last round of political conferences the Lib Dems described Mental Health as the Cinderella service within the NHS and pledged more money and more priority. The other parties are following suit. Mental Health is the latest big issue of our time to be confronted or cynically the latest attempt to catch your vote.

Clegg said he wanted parents chatting at the school gate to be able to refer to their mental illness as freely as they would any physical illness. Mental illness should no longer be taboo - it is part of life and a large percentage of the population will suffer some mental illness problem in their lives. Fine!

The call is for the NHS to respond to this challenge with more understanding, commitment and resources. The call is for more specialists. The message is - the NHS will be there to help you. No longer do you have to suffer in silence. I wish to clearly state anyone suffering from serious mental illness should be properly helped by the NHS. I have no issue with this whatsoever. So again fine!

But is it fine? I have a few problems - I have a few concerns.

My first concern is the definition of "mental" illness. The spectrum is vast.

My second concern is the balance between the rights of the individual to receive NHS help with their mental illness issues and their responsibility to help themselves.

My third and it follows from the second above - a concern that we are creating, enforcing, perpetuating a "victim" mentality - which is likely to make an individuals health worse in the long run.

My point is this - many people have self-esteem issues, many people have a weight problem, many people enter in what is often referred to as a mid life crisis. These problems (in the new thinking) are now being referred to as "mental" illness in the same way as Bi Polar disorder or Schizophrenia is correctly referred to as "mental" illness.

As a consequence I believe it is likely that the NHS will be overwhelmed by "mental" illness "victims" knocking on the door seeking someone to solve their unhappiness. This will not help them - because they are psychologically passing on the responsibility for their problem to someone else (doctors and the NHS) nor will it help the tax payer who has to fund the NHS or as resources are finite - improve the support for those who really need mental health treatment.

I shall spell it out. It is not the State's responsibility to make your life happy - to give point or purpose to it. It is counter productive for the NHS/Gov't to assume responsibility for bolstering your self esteem just because you are lazy and weak willed and have become obese from eating too much and not doing enough (any) exercise. These people are not "victims". Their problems are their responsibility and of their own making. It is within their control to change their life - to make better decisions. If they do it for themselves they will feel better anyway and it will be more sustainable.

The answer lies in emphasizing their responsibilities to themselves - to enforce that they are in charge of their life - their happiness. It is not constructive to give them the opportunity to put the responsibility for solving their problems on the NHS - to approach life with a victim mentality - poor me - no one has helped me - I have been let down!

We cannot afford this indulgence anyway and should be very wary of vested interests building their empire and gullible politicians scrabbling for votes on the pretext of a "caring" agenda.

#marathon "monkeyonmyback" - PT8 "monkeyoffmyback" - Paris marathon 2017

It is early Easter Sunday morning. I have had my gentle bike ride along the sea wall at Seaview - and a gentle two mile jog around the woods. One week ago I finished the Paris Marathon. It is time to finish my blog about it. (to put into better context see my previous "monkeyonmyback" blogs).

The monkey is finally off my back. I did manage to run every yard of the Paris Marathon. Perhaps I do not need to say much more - but I am writing this blog for general interest too - so I should - given the monumental build up - ha!.

9th April 2017 had been in my diary for a long time. It was a long time coming. I had been training for the marathon on this day for a long time - mainly over the grim winter. When Sunday morning finally arrived I was looking forward to it - definitely - I wanted to get on with it - but I have to admit I felt some apprehension and uncertainty - for reasons I have explained in earlier blogs. It was also very warm and forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far. It turned out to be very hot - a big factor for the runners - and for the spectators for that matter.

According to the Paris Marathon official web site 57000 people registered to run. 43754 started - a big difference. I guess there were many reasons - change of circumstances, priorities, injuries of course - but probably a lot just chickened out - because the training is hard. I was one of those in 2015 - but I made it to the start line this time. On the day there were 42441 finishers - so 1250 never completed. I finished 39891 in 5 hours 39 minutes - so there were quite a few behind me - and I feel for them - massive respect.

My time was very slow by majority standards - and slower than I hoped for - but actually does it matter to me? It should not matter because I know I did the best I could. What does matter - and makes me feel deeply satisfied - and yes somewhat emotional when I think about - is I ran every yard. I did not walk. I ran a marathon. I am not knocking the ones - hundreds in fact - probably several thousand who walked some of the course. It maybe a legitimate and effective tactic. Run - walk some - run again. Certainly I was aware that I kept passing people that looked familiar. But this is not how I wanted to do my one and only marathon. So for me just run - even if it is very slow in the end - a shuffle and probably not much more than walking pace!

Here are some random thoughts about the day - because there were so many - and it is difficult to order them :

• The start is on the Champs Elysee which is pretty incredible. When you register for the Paris Marathon you have to state your projected time. You are then colour coded with different start times. Of course many must overstate their ability in order to start earlier. (PS on the day they will only let you into the pen in accordance to your code.)
  
• It was truly memorable at the start. I had left my family (my fantastic support crew - Victoria & George). The sun was out - a beautiful morning. I was surrounded by thousands of runners. Many were chattering. Most like me - seemed a bit anxious. I talked to a younger guy from the UK. He had done a half marathon in February and struggled and only one other short run. Weirdly this encouraged me. Made me feel I had prepared better than that - so oddly I won't be the only one under pressure. Daft! The upbeat music created a carnival atmosphere. The 9.40 pen left and we gradually moved down towards the start. Then one of the most emotional moments of the whole weekend - the speakers started blazing out The Black Eye Peas - "Tonight is going to be a good night". What a song for the moment. So positive - so encouraging - and me and thousands wondering if it would be. Thousands of runners clapping their hands over their heads. So infectious - a fantastic moment. Here is the track - I will love it for ever !!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA
• And then the start - very gently down hill - along the wide Parisian streets. It felt great. I was very aware - and running well - in the 9/10 minute mile pace. I wondered if I should slow down - save energy - but it wasn't feeling hard. I thought I would get some good distance under my belt - not sure of what the situation would be later. But it wasn't long before the lovely warm sun become a full on hot sun. It was the hottest day of the year and felt like it. This became a significant issue for the runners and the organizers because there was no hiding place except for the occasional building shadow or fleeting dappled light under a tree.
• The crowds really were great. Alesz allez! Lots of noise and music - bands - especially a lot of brass - at regular intervals. I tried to give them a little clap acknowledgement as I past - at least earlier on - to thank them for their efforts which really were meaningful and appreciated. On the bib number the organizers printed your christian name and nationality. Complete strangers shouted come on David, well done David, great effort David, you can do it David - not far to go David - almost always in the wonderful French accent. It was really appreciated - really helpful. If you are ever watching a marathon no doubt you encourage the runners. Do. Sometimes it really helps!
• Very few runners in the Paris Marathon are in dancy dress as the London Marathon. The course is largely a flat course but with a series of inclines on the underpasses - Seine side.
• As I have said it was a hot summers day albeit in the spring. It did not catch the organisers out. Bottled water and fruit was regularly available and was supplemented by the fire service creating huge showers with a hose and filling big bowls of water to use to cool ourselves. This was a godsend. I started without a cap but luckily picked Victoria and George out in crowd at around 11 miles (they missed me at 6 - I was too fast - ha!). They had the good sense to have my cap available. It made such a massive diference. At every water point I drank a bottle of water on the run but also soaked myself from the firemans bowls - poured a bottle of water down my back and filled my cap with water. Doing that every couple of miles helped hugely.
• One stand out memory was the regular sound of the unique French emergency sirens with medic vehicles and motor bikes negotiating through the runners.The runner attrition rate was obviously high. Ambulances and attendants were commonplace. I saw several runners on drips. Obviously dehydration was a big factor. It was a bit unnerving but I did everything I could to avoid it and actually despite chronically aching knees and muscle fatigue and a general sense of tiredness of course I feel I finished in pretty good shape.
• I saw Vicky and George at 20 Miles.It was great to see them.I felt very emotional. I knew I could finish from there. Maybe another hour and twenty. I had broken the back of it. There were many walking which somehow made me even more determined not too? When we chatted after the race Vic and George said how relieved they were to see me in reasonably good shape. Up to that point they admitted they were pretty anxious! Sorry kids!
• We ran along the Seine - past the Eiffel Tower - wonderful landmarks - but truthfully at that time I hardly looked. Just running - mind in a daze.
• Surprisingly much of the last part of the marathon was through woodland (I subsequently find out it is the Bois de Boulogne). The support was thinner but there were still plenty of support - lots of atmospheric music. It was mega hot - many runners walking. Weirdly - maybe masochistically - I sort of enjoyed those last 3 or 4 miles. It was not that I wasn't desperate to see the finish post - or that everything wasn't aching. They were. My legs were running themselves after doing the same thing for so many hours. I keep on about feeling emotional - but that is how it was. I knew I had prepared well. (No beer for 10 days, drank 5 or 6 pints of water each  day for the last week and carb loaded in the last few days). I knew I should be able to get there. I had the strength and motivation from not stopping. I knew for me I was going to pass the test. I was obsessed by working out the part distances in miles to go from the kilometer posts and relating to the regular training runs I do at home. All you have to do is to get home from the golf course, the boating lake, Appley café! I really like kilometers now. They come more regularly than miles - ha! I have found when training that trying to get your mind off the running and think about something else makes the miles go faster. For the whole Paris Marathon I couldn't do it. I just thought about the distance to go and finishing. When you are not even half way it is hard but as I got closer and closer it really was a fantastic lift.
• And then past the stunning Fondation Louis Vuitton building and emerge into the streets with the crowds clapping and cheering - half a kilometer to go. The finish in sight. Wow - a precious moment - you run in up the funnel - mesmerized by the faces - and arms raised just on the line - and then in a heap. Its done and I am safe. Thank you. Amazing. Have I really finished! Have a really done it!
• Runners are everywhere - happy tiredness prevails. My big medal is collected with a T Shirt that says Paris Marathon 2017 Finisher! I take on more water and slowly make my way through the runners village towards the Arc de Triomphe to meet George and Victoria. It is fantastic to see them - a big sweaty hug. They will look after me for the rest of the day. I am spent.
• I just want to sit down - more water - but then what I really fancy - like many other runners on this hot day - is a cold beer - and George quickly obliges. We sit there for a while amongst other runners and their families. A lovely Irish couple. Wow - it all felt so good. Vicky and George seemed so chuffed and relieved that it had all worked out well. (It is tough for the spectators too - rushing around Paris trying to get to points on the course for a fleeting moment as their runner passes.)
• Fleetingly I am disappointed when we find out my finish time - I thought I was faster. It is very slow. Vicky and George are having none of it. Dad you are nearly 63. You have RUN a marathon - the time doesn't matter! They were absolutely right. I know to my core I had run a marathon. In a perverse way being out there battling for over 5 and half hours on such a hot day added something extra. I have done it. In the great scheme of things so what? but it means something special to me - it always will.

Thereafter it was all great. A stagger back to the hotel - for a shower and recovery. A lovely dinner out - and the next day a sightseeing boat trip on the Seine, superb lunch at the Chat Noir in Pigalle (Pigalle is a famous suburb of Paris but I didn't realise it was their Soho with bells on!) before the Eurostar back to London.

It is done - the monkey is off my back. My wonderful daughter kept reminding me - dad you have run a marathon. I bloody have! I have no desire to run another marathon (I think - but this high is addictive though) but already I am missing the running. I am pretty sure I will keep ticking over - I will.

Finally mega mega thanks to my family and to Jo for all their encouragement and support. It meant/means so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS here are a couple of links to short videos of the Paris marathon 2017. They bring a lump to my throat. I was in there and part of the wonderful endeavor. Respect to anyone who runs a marathon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fDeUs1Cxhs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29gCwocwJK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7FoEHw7OiY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA

Here are some photos :

At the Expo the day before. Premature!

Anxious at the start. Knees covered with Deep Heat

It was a hot day - fireman's hose shower so welcome

Approaching Vicky & George around 20 miles. Don't know what I had to smile about. Very emotional. Fantastic to see them. I knew I was going to do it running every step.

Exhausted at the finish. Weirdly no sweat.

Not long before I start to perk up. Great feeling.

It was all worth it!

A lovely celebration dinner to follow on a balmy Parisian evening

We are all keen on snails

Notre Dame

Not keen to climb today

Weary the next day sightseeing - and it was much cooler!

#marathon "monkeyonmyback" - PT7 Penultimate (before the Paris 2017 marathon)

It is Friday 7th April. I have done my final preparation run. We are getting ready to head for Paris. I run the Paris Marathon on Sunday. It is finally here.

To explain the full motivation behind the run and this blog you could read the previous 6 "monkey on my back" blogs - but particularly #Marathon "monkeyonmyback" PT1 which I posted 17/6/2016. In a nutshell - I have never done a marathon but always wanted and expected to at some point as it is a huge test and a big achievement - but the time never seemed quite right to commit to the training. In what seems like in no time - lo and behold - I am approaching 60 - time is running out/has it run out!? I better get on with it if I am going to try to do one! I sign up for the 2015 Paris Marathon. However for a number of reasons - mostly objective (knees etc) I pulled out after running the Exeter half marathon (just!). Put another way - I chickened out - and it has bugged me ever since - a "monkey on my back". I knew/know it will only lift if I run a marathon - hence Paris 2017.

In a couple of months I will be 63. Plenty of men and women of my age and older still run fantastic marathon times - unbelievable ones - but I think most have a long distance running pedigree and their bodies are pared down - ha! I have always been active - but I am not really built for marathon running - this is not an excuse - but a reality - my weight has been stubborn around 14 stone. But millions of people have run a marathon - so why can't I? I should be able to do it - it is true my knees (who have been so faithful to me - bless them) actually do hurt and get sore and stiff (shock absorbers that are no longer quite absorbing the shock) - but is it really a deal breaker?

So I have been trying to prepare. The running I have found has quite a big impact on day to day life for 2 reasons - 1) the training schedule is always hanging over you - and it is time consuming and 2) more significantly I have found the running draining - and as a consequence energy for other things is affected. Having said that I have really loved the feeling of putting the effort in and the feeling you get from being depleted but sated at the end. It is a truly wonderful feeling if you have never felt it - being so tired - so stiff - but smiling and content because you have done it.

Training is of course physical - but mainly it is a mental thing - going for a run when it cold or wet - keeping going when you are out there doing it - not finding excuses (and there are always plenty of those nagging in your head). On finishing the distance you set out to do without stopping - my personal reminder - the only thing that keeps you going is not stopping. That is it.

Since the start of the year I have kept a record of the runs I have done. I have not followed any particular plan but just done what I could manage and what felt about right.. Here it is :

MARATHON TRAINING RECORD
DATE	COURSE	DISTANCE	TIME	TIME	CALORIES	TOTAL	TOTAL
		(MILES)		PER MILE		MILES	CALORIES
2017						RUN	BURNED
JAN
3	SEAVIEW FISHBOURNE	10	1.55.00	11.35	1171
5	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.43.05	10.45	489
6	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.41.43	10.28	482
9	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.45.34	11.27	477
10	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.45.34	11.27	477
11	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.47.05	11.41	474
13	ALDERBURY	10	1.48.40	10.47	1201
16	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X 3	4	0.45.48	11.27	471
17	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X 3	4	0.47.29	11.45	464
19	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X 1	1	0.15.53	11.26	167
21	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X 1	1	0.16.07	11.36	167
22	FARNBOROUGH HALF	13	2.21.09	10.43	1547
28	SHIDE SANDOWN RETURN	17	3.40.03	12.57	1705	81	9292
FEB
1	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.45.19	11.27	471
4	ALDERBURY	8	1.34.00	11.17	966
8	RYDE GOLF COURSE	7	1.10.14	10.44	782
9	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.41.09	10.22	477
11	SANDOWN NEWPORT RET	16	3.05.50	11.35	1817
19	BRAMLEY 20	20	4.11.18	12.30	2117
22	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.42.49	10.41	480
23	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.43.41	10.57	484
24	SANDOWN NEWPORT RET	10	1.44.30	10.27	1210
26	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.45.31	11.21	481
27	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.43.54	10.49	485	85	9770
MCH
1	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.43.03	10.49	485
3	SANDOWN NEWPORT RET	16	3.09.25	11.50	1799
6	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.39.20	9.56	472
7	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.38.04	9.36	471
9	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.41.03	10.16	484
11	SANDOWN NEWPORT RET	20	4.08.11	12.25	2084
18	SANDOWN NEWPORT RET	8	1.31.07	11.25	946
19	SANDOWN NEWPORT RET	16	3.01.00	12.00	1940
21	RYDE BOATING LAKE	4	0.41.22	10.22	480
24	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X3	4	0.42.04	10.30	486
26	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X3	4	0.41.30	10.23	479
27	HAMLIN LANE EXETER X5	7	1.09.30	10.21	804
29	WOODS	2	0.21.47	10.51	236	97	11166
APR
1	RYDE GOLF COURSE	7	1.08.16	10.25	785
3	WOODS	2	0.22.07	11.08	236
5	WOODS	2	0.21.20	10.40	236
7	WOODS	2	0.21.12	10.38	236	13	1493
TOTAL						275	31721

Ps so I have run 275 miles this year and burnt over 31000 calories (according to my Garmin watch).

So how do I feel about Sunday? There is not a static or clear answer. In all my training I have never found it comfortable running. Rarely have I had an easy mile. My times have not improved much but the distances have increased. I have run 20 miles without stopping - albeit chronically slowly. At times I have dreamt about finishing in under four and a half hours. That is not going to happen. I will be ecstatic if I can break 5 hours - I think 5.20 is more likely. I have decided not to use a watch. I don't think it helps. There will be mile posts. I am just going to run it the best I can. My mantra will be to never stop - nothing other than run - however slow the pace. It is now - really only about finishing, While I feel like I am going into an exam having not done enough preparation - I can do this - touchwood. I read something the other day in a book about the Clipper sailing race - a quote - it is general to life. It captures brilliantly - encapsulates what I know. Made me feel emotional. It was " the rewards for those who persevere far outweigh the pain that must precede victory " (Ted W Engstrom).

I am looking forward to running around Paris and I know finishing up the Champs-Elysées and under the Arc de Triomphe will be amazing whatever the time - as long as I finish having done my best - it will mean a lot to me. I feel nervous - a bit anxious - a bit scared even - a bit foolhardy maybe (especially if it goes wrong) - but I said to myself years ago I was going to run a marathon - so I feel I want to do one to get what has become a monkey on my back - off my back - and I will be very satisfied to achieve it - because stating the obvious - it is still a real challenge for the average person. And Engstrom's words above are true. Fingers crossed. Touch wood. xxxxxxx