This is, unapologetically, not about woodworking. I am proud to be running the London Marathon on April 27 in support of the British Heart Foundation.
It is an extraordinary event which I have long wanted to race. 840,000 people applied for 50,000 places in this year’s race which will raise over £70M for charity, making it the world’s biggest single day fundraising event. 750,000 people watch the race along the course and another 5 million watch on TV in the UK alone. I came across this short video which seems to capture the atmosphere (click the image).
I started training in May last year, initially for the Shrewsbury Half Marathon in September, then the Lake Garda Half Marathon in November. Since then, I have been focused on London. Training has moved into an intense phase and next week I shall run 60km. Stretching and strength training have become essential parts of my routine. The cumulative impact on muscles and tendons means each run ends in our river where the cold reduces inflammation.
Along with about 150 other runners, I am raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. Everyone has their reason and in my case it is 50 years since my father died suddenly and ten years since one of my pupils survived cardiac arrest on a fell run, today he is a teacher.
This part of the race has become so much more than I ever imagined. It has put me back in touch with old friends and yesterday, one of our neighbours stopped me to ask if I was running for a charity. I told him about the British Heart Foundation and he promptly gave me £10. So many people have been wonderfully generous and together we have raised nearly £5000.
Many of you have already donated, thank you very much. If this is the first time you have read about this challenge, please click this LINK to my Just Giving Page and, if possible, donate.
Andrew Fleck Furniture Design 