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.

Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Running is like mouthwash.... if you can feel the burn you know it is working

Happy new year! So.... it is 2011 and my mother reliably informs me that it is 14 weeks to go until D-day… which is really not very long at all. However, what with it being a new year and all, I am making decisions (not resolutions, as resolutions are too easily broken) and I am taking it seriously. I had the fear of God instilled in me on Hogmanay by a Mr Alan Hay who ran the Glasgow marathon in 1983, as he was telling me about how a) he was awfully cocky and didn't train nearly enough; and b) it was hell and to invest in some Vaseline.

So, first day back at work after the festive period and I decided that I should run home. Not the most glamourous run in the world along Commercial Street for its entire length, but at least it is flat, unlike hilly Newton Mearns. It was OK – not great, just OK. It was just over 7k, about 4.3 miles, which is not the farthest, but it was dreadfully monotonous. I got a bit lost, and had to stop to look at a map on the bus stop to work out where I was/how to get south of the river… not ideal! It was also quite blustery in places and I found myself being blown backwards! Thank goodness for my body armour windproof jacket and under-armour.

I had a hot bath when I got home, but I am still in a world and a half of pain today – so I have signed up for a superstretch class at lunch time at the gym. Also – note to self – need to buy new running shoes yesterday. Mine are done. Actual factual fact.
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