I am running the London Marathon 2011 in aid of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, a Glasgow-based charity providing specialist palliative care for people with terminal illnesses.

On Christmas Eve 1997, my dad, Stephen Edgar (nicknamed Schnoz because of his big nose) went into the Hospice at the end of his battle with cancer. He died on 25 January 1998.

The staff at the Hospice perform daily miracles to support patients and families across Glasgow and the west of Scotland. They have an almost impossible job in supporting people at what are the most difficult and distressing times of their lives. Although I was only 11, I will always vividly remember the calming, soothing care they gave me, my Mum and my brother. Running 26.2 miles is my way of saying thank you on behalf of all the families like mine that they have helped so far and to enable them to continue to do so.

Sunday, 21 November 2010

The miracle is that I had the courage to start

So it begins...

Some 6 months ago, I volunteered myself for the insanity that is running the London Marathon 2011 in aid of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice. The Hospice is a Glasgow based charity which provides palliative care for patients with terminal illnesses. It is a charity which I hold particularly close to my heart because on Christmas Eve 1997 my Dad, Stephen Edgar, went to stay in the Hospice for the last few weeks of the battle he was losing with cancer. I was 11 at the time and I can still vividly remember the loving, soothing and caring environment there, where the nurses and staff understand that they need to look after the needs of patient and family. They made a horrible 4 weeks more bearable with their incredible empathy and I will never forget what they did for my family during such a traumatic time.

I have supported the Hospice since this time, organising discos, charity cycles, the Forget-Me-Not Ball and by speaking at the Sportsman's Dinner 2008. However a recent move to the capital has meant that I can no longer be involved in the events in Glasgow. So volunteering to run the marathon is my way of supportig this charity which has done so much for me and my family.

I am not a runner. That much has been clear for years. But I want to run this for the Hospice to raise money so that they can continue to help families just like mine and prove to myself that I have the commitment to put myself through the pain to help something I care about. For the record, I would rather organise another ball!!

So it's 21 weeks today. And training began. One glass of prosecco and early to bed last night. 7.6km. My legs did not want to move. Every step hurt. I didn't have a good playlist (actually I didn't have any playlist). I didn't have enough clothes on, the stretch across Waterloo Bridge nearly killed me because the brutal November wind was pushing me backwards. I lost feeling in my fingers and my nose and my ears. I was jealous of all the runners along the Thames who made it look easy. I couldn't help but wonder what the hell I had signed up for. A seriously questionable decision. And I have a blister on the underside of my left foot.

They say that a marathon is one of the most incredible experiences... But the training is miserable. For now I am dreading the next 21 weeks.

Lessons for next time:
1. Get a good playlist (am open to suggestions).
2. Wear appropriate clothes.
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1 comment:

  1. Unknown22 November 2010 at 23:35

    We'll follow you all the way. Morvyn says you need earmuffs! Well, they work for her apparently. Moira x

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