Smull's London Marathon 2010 by smull

My first Marathon; the story....

Ok so here's a bit of background. In November 2008 I was 21 stones and couldn't tie my shoes without getting out of breath (seriously) so I decided in January 2009 things would change. Running was the only sport I felt I could do as I just don't have the skill for ball sports and I had previously ran a sub 1 hour 10k back in 1994 so knew I could do it.

At first I was too embarrased to pound the streets so stuck to the treadmill at my local gym. After I shed a stone I moved to a deserted outside running track before finally hitting the streets in about March 2009. It was at this point I decided I needed a focus for my training and entered the Blackpool 10k in May 2009. I completed this in a time of 59 mins and 50 seconds and was over the moon. It is worth noting my weight was now around 16 stones (A total loss of 5 stones in 6 months!).

From here it just snowballed and I asked myself; 'What if?' so I entered a few more 10ks and built up to the Sale 10 miler in August 2009 (A semi pro race in which I came 2nd to last but did it in 1 hr 43 mins so was more than happy!). Finally I took a deep breath and applied for the Warrington Half Marathon and The London Marathon 2010 figuring that if I got into the LM 2010 I would just step up my training from the half marathon onwards. I completed the Warrington Half Marathon (ahead of my target time of 2 hrs 30mins) in 2 hrs 23 mins and that was with agonising cramp in both calf muscles after I stupidly swerved to pick up a drink from a drink station at 11 miles! If it had not been for this I would have finished in around 2 hrs 15 mins. I was lucky the injury was near the end otherwise I could not have completed the course.

So that brings me to where I am now. After being initially rejected in the London Marathon ballot I found a charity to run the LM 2010 for ( http://www.presidentssportingclub.co.uk/ ) and am well into my training. On Sunday 14th February I ran 17 miles in 3 hrs 4 mins which puts me on track for my target of sub 5 hours on the big day. The 17 miles were very hard towards the end but I did it. My next big milestone is a 19 mile run on Sunday 28th February so watch this space.

I have always wanted to run the London Marathon but I guess I never thought I actually would!

Follow me here to see how it goes!