Rachel and Paul – London Marathon 2022

I got into running about four years ago when I joined a local running group and I haven’t looked back since, it’s become incredibly important to me and I’d go as far as to say it helped keep me sane during the Pandemic and various lockdowns when it was about the only thing we were all allowed to do!  At first, it was just local park runs but as I did more I progressed to 10k’s and eventually my first half marathon – the Robin Hood half which is our local event in Nottingham.  It was both tough and enjoyable at the same time but I definitely had no ambition or intention to run a full marathon, although I’ve since done a few more halves.

But when my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August last year I felt compelled to do something positive, and so I looked to the biggest charity fundraising event I know of – which happens to be the London Marathon.

Around 6 months later I was amazed when an email arrived to say I was in, the chances of getting in through the public ballot are notoriously low and this had been my first attempt, it was only then that the reality dawned! A few more months passed with me trying not to think too much about it before I finally started a training program at the beginning of June.

It’s already clear this will be by far the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever undertaken and I have no doubt just how tough it’s going to be, 26.2 miles is such a daunting distance to run and the fear of injury is ever-present, but the reasons behind me doing it are also ever-present. I want to raise as much money as possible for Pancreatic Cancer UK to help towards better awareness, early diagnosis and obviously work on more effective treatments, pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers.

Training for a marathon obviously requires dedication, determination and sacrifice, and again that sounds very much like running a business! Also whether running or running a business it’s just a case of putting one foot in front of the other, and not allowing yourself to give in when things get tough….and of course, they will.

I may be wrong but it feels like the marathon itself will be like the first morning of a trade show, a feeling of excitement and nervous anticipation but almost a relief after months of hard work behind the scenes!!

All I can hope is that everything goes to plan and I cross the finish line in one piece, hopefully having enjoyed it and with a sense of achievement and pride.

This is what Paul said about his EXTREME challenge…

Anyone who knows me is aware that I’ve always been active and looked to challenge myself physically in as many ways as possible – there isn’t much I haven’t tried and I’ve had some amazing experiences and met some wonderful people over the years. Some may think that I’ve taken it to the extreme but for me, it’s completely normal – and that includes the world of extreme ironing!

I’ve run London Marathon twice and I have to say I didn’t enjoy either, I’ve never been a natural runner and at the first one 23 years ago I aimed for an unrealistic time and the second I just didn’t train! This may sound bizarre but it’s only when I started doing ultra-marathons that I learned to love running, in that for me time and pace became secondary or irrelevant, it was just a case of finishing and taking as much as possible from the experience and what you learnt about yourself along the way. The 155-mile Marathon des Sables through the northern Sahara was probably the pick of my running adventures, for me and my ironing board!

But that was 10 years ago and I was sure my long-distance running days were behind me, I had no intention whatsoever to do anything but run for pleasure and general fitness again. The only reason I entered this year was to show solidarity and support for Rachel after her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and to raise as much money as I could alongside her for charity.

But I felt I couldn’t just run it conventionally if I wanted people to sponsor me, and as I’ve previously completed ultra-marathons carrying my ironing board – it needed to be something more….more extreme….more stupid.

Paul was Interviewed on the BBC!

And so the seed of an idea was sewn and on the 2^nd October I’ll not just be running the 26.2 miles, I’ll not just have my ironing board and steam iron strapped to my back, but I’ll also be carrying a Whirly Gig throughout the entire 26.2 miles. I haven’t really considered just how hideous it may be to run any distance with everything in tow, let alone for what will probably be 6 hours or more!

 

Rachel and Paul, we are so proud of you both.