We Did it!

Thanks for all the support and charity money my fine friends.

Last Sunday Ant and I completed the London marathon and we have the medals to prove it.

It was a bit of a dodgy day for me as my leg infection flared and I felt like I had no energy left to give from about 6 miles in (Only 20 to go) but I finally stumbled across the line in just under 6 hours. Mr Groves aced it in 4 and a half hours. We both had a lovely beer to celebrate. Just one mind, let's not go crazy.

Thanks to everyone who supported us. Most thanks to Becky and Thea for suffering our training regimes for the past four months, being very patient and a great support. A massive thanks to everyone who came and supported on the day including Thea and Becky, Ants folks, uncle and and Aunt, the library crew - Kieron, Beth, Adam, Sian and Dan and Caroline along with Elizabeth all the way from the USA and Dan and Debra. Without you guys I'm not sure I would have got round, thanks for cheering us on. Thanks to Nicola for the amazing card, Holly for the fantastic multi-coloured banner and everybody else who sent messages of good luck to us both or sponsored us too.

The just giving page will remain open for a while so there's still time to get your cash in.

Some photos to follow.

Marathon done; never again!

Flucloxacillin (I'm on pills for me nerves)

Born to Run (Check out the thighs and the socks)

This week has been a funny one. I got a leg infection on Monday and immediately thought "I'm not pulling out of the marathon now I can tell thee!". Thankfully it doesn't look too serious and after 3 days on anti-biotics I'm feeling much better and raring to go. Well almost raring, I wouldn't quite exclaim that much enthusiasm. Pre-raring lets say.





However I did go to the Marathon Expo yesterday and collected my running number and race chip. They were playing the marathon music as you went in, which always makes me feel a little emotional. Sadly Mr Groves and I could arrange a time to go around together but he's going today. Oh Jesus, there's no turning back now! Let's hope I finish somewhere near Sir Steve Redgraves time of 4 hours 21 minutes. I'm sure as hell am going to complete it quicker than Katie Prices time of 7 hours 11 minutes or I'm going to demand a recount.





Two days to go, leg infection beat, loads of rest coming, plent O Carbs and a small question of 26.1 miles.

Brighton Marathon

I watched some of the Brighton Marathon this weekend. I thought, "I've got to do that next week. Bugger!"

Almost there - Over £1000 raised

Ant and I completed our last long training run before the London Marathon in two weeks time this Sunday and boy it was a hot one! I was melting under the heat but got through by listening the Liza Tarbuck and Adam Buxton iterviewing Paul Merton.

To my massive relief the next two weeks will include plenty of rest and a tiny strole here and there whilst my body recovers for the big one.

The Hornblowers charity event raised £200.04 for Scope, well done guys. Thanks very much to all the members of Curly Hair and Flash Bang Band for performing too. This takes the current total for moneys raised so far to well over £1000. A huge thanks to everyone who has donated so far.

There's still time to come on down to our second charity event this Friday. My group, A Fish Called Improv, are putting on their first solo show! Hope to see you down there.

This week training: minimal - Sweet Times!

20 MILES! AND Fundraising Events

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter. My Easter Sunday consisted of 4 hours running a huge amount of lovely rest.

So the big 20 miler is now under our belts. Hurrah for that. We did it and, for all the horror of facing the wall the week before, it wasn't that bad. Yeah the knees are just a tiny amount done in, yeah, bits have been rubbed sore I would have particularly chosen to be rubbed quite so vigorously over a four hour period and yeah after 3 months of no alcohol I'm feeling like I need a large glass of white wine and if I'd known giving up would just make me eat more to compensate would I have bothered? AND I haven't lost weight (I just loves the cake!) BUT it's done, the pinnacle of training has been reached and we are now ambling on the side of the taper down. Phew, what a relief.

That still means we've got 17 miles to run this weekend but for the first time the training schedule has said: "It is now important to stuff your face with chips and relax. No good will come for any other form of exertion other than running a little bit. In fact why not have some cake?" or it said something like that. I think I'm para-phrasing.

Mr Groves and I are now starting to feel excited about the actual day, soon enough we will be attending the Marathon Expo and getting our numbers.

We've got some fund raising events coming up: Ant's Band The Hornblower Brothers are playing at the Latest music bar this Sunday (11th April) and my improv comedy group A Fish Called Improv are putting on a show on Friday 16th April at the Sanctuary Cella in Hove.

If you get a chance please come down to have fun and help us raise some cash.

Simon T