The 2018 Virgin London Marathon :-)

[John_W]

So this is what I was hinting at in my half-marathon post on Sunday.

3 days away from my 3rd Runniversary I am incredibly excited, nay PUMPED, to announce that, as of last Thursday morning, I have a place in this year's London Marathon. It will be my first marathon too.

Here's what I wrote to my works running club last Thursday lunchtime:

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Last April, I went down to London to see my sister run the VLM for the 4th time – it was my 1st time seeing it in person and I got taken in by the amazing atmosphere and resolved to try and run it in 2018.

Before that I’d not allowed myself to think it was a possibility for one reason and another. Having taking up running [Couch to 5k!] in early 2015 after a 21 year break (long story but dodgy knees finally resolved by custom-made orthotics), I’d been quite happy trying to improve my 5 and 10k times and wasn’t too bothered about races, t-shirts and medals. But the London Marathon always remained a dream a of mine since I first entered the ballot in 1991. I had a Unilever (Flora) [my employer] place in 2008 but that was absurdly naïve of me - very pie-in-the-sky - I had no fitness and my knees wouldn’t have lasted 2 weeks of training, so I gave it back almost immediately.

And so last year I entered the public ballot and got the entirely predictable “Sorry” magazine and black training top.

I then put my name into the Sunlight Runners [works club] ballot and missed out

I um-ed & ah-ed about a charity place and was a bit too slow - most had gone by Christmas. So I entered the Four Villages Half as a very minor consolation if only to see what I’m capable of right now.

However… I can happily reveal that as of 10:10am this morning ….

…. I HAVE A PLACE IN THE 2018 VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON!!!!

More details to follow but …. G.T.F.I. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just need a 12-week training plan now…. 😊

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So there you have it. S

It came about with a bit of luck, good timing and a bit of who-you-know. I'm delighted to be running for The London Playing Fields Foundation and they would like me to raise a modest £1000. More details in due course. Some of our lunchtime C25K graduate ladies, bless them, have said they'll do a cake-sale on my behalf.

I'll leave it there for now... I'll sign off by saying...

BRING. IT. ON. !!!

John

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

So exciting! I can hardly wait for April 22nd meself

You're off to a jolly good start with your half marathon, here's to the rest of your training -good luck and have fun!!

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Good for you. Very envious - even if deep down I think it would be beyond me.

Good luck with the training, that HM training was a brilliant start.

[benwill Marathon]

thats great, good luck.

[Lordi Marathon]

Is it hard to get in? Lottery?

[Atta1 in reply to Lordi]

Lordi its very hard to get a ballot place, but easier to get a charity place. You usually have to raise between £1,600 and £2,500 dependant on what charity

[Atta1]

Brilliant news, I am also running it, very scared since I only started running 4 months ago! But training going well so far, done a half marathon in December and slowly increasing the miles.

[poppypug Marathon]

Great news John ! I will be looking out for you on the telly .

Have a brilliant day and Good Luck with your training ! if your HM is anything to go by , you will smash it xxx

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Yankeedoodledandy this is just the best..... and I’m sure your nipples will survive 😉