I'm still here too!

Its been a long while since my last blog and I've not been in touch with all your blogs for the past week or so am only just catching up again.

Since I last blogged the London marathon has been and gone for another year.I was down purely as a spectator and had an amazing weekend. The Saturday picnic was all that I had hoped it to be, so many wonderful, warm and motivating people all gathered in one place for a few hours. It was a treat to finally meet so many of you, almost felt like meeting famous people ( but better and more interesting ). We must repeat these gatherings , I only got to speak properly to a few of you so we need to get together at another race sometime. I'm looking forward to Snowdon for that reason, a social marathon I hope.

Race day itself was very special. I loved every second of it and was lucky enough to see a fair few buzzers at my spectating points on Tower Bridge and at mile 25. It was draining emotionally to witness the marathon from the sidelines. I tried to give a lot as a spectator and after almost 6 hours of standing and shouting I was hoarse and pretty knackered ( not as knackered as those running of course ). There is a rawness to the whole occasion, as a supporter you witness at very close quarters such huge effort and commitment , so much physical pain and so many personal battles. It is deeply moving. I realised that for each runner that passed me there was a story: a chronicle of personal sacrifice and of dedication that had led them to this point. Stories perhaps of lost loved ones ,injuries overcome or a life turned around. I could read snippets of these stories in the focussed eyes and pained expressions of so many that passed me by. There was a sense too of shared experience, I had run this race twelve months prevoisly so I could identify with these people, thats why I yelled so hard.

It really was a day to remember and I won't name names because all who ran deserve praise and respect. Well done each and every one of you.

My own running has been very sporadic and it has co-incided with the lack of blogging. If i wasn't running I felt that I didn't have as much to write about. In a strange way I think I needed a little break from both. I've had a busy work and home life so have poured time and effort into both in equal measure.There's been a lot of climbing with my son ( in Austria with Team GB )and my daughter untertook her own challenge. She decided to swim the 2.25 mile distance to school for a childrens charity. 80 lengths later and she raised £200, I was really proud of her determination and thoughtfulness. I think it was her way of showing that she can apply herself to a physical challenge and she really proved something to herself I think.

I've come to realise that my running needs to be done firstly out of enjoymnet and with conviction, it then follows that the blogs are sincere and authentic and my comments to others mean a little more. I ran 8 miles last night and there was finally a feel good factor about the run both physically and mentally. I hit 1 hour bang on the nose but I wasn't just running out of a sense of duty or guilt last night I enjoyed the run which is how i have to feel if i'm going to have a serious crack at sub 3.25 for York. Its almost time to think about a training plan again, once that starts i'm in deep!

Having caught up late last night with most of the blogs from the last 10 days all that remains to say is I have so much respect for all of you on here who contribute, wo push themselves and who encourage others. Although I have not made comments in the last week I am inspired and excited by what I've been reading. Keep it going everyone, put challenges on the calendar, beacons on your horizons.