The day after.......

Waheyyyyyy!!!! I only went and did it!!!! I completed the London Marathon in 5 hours 51 minutes and 7 seconds. So how was it.....

It was amazing, I arrived with plenty of time, the temperature was considerably higher than predicted. It took me 23 minutes to get across the start line and started off way too fast, I managed to run non stop for 13 miles and at that point I was on target for a sub 5 hour finish, however I noticed a bit later on (about 17 miles +) that quite a lot of people dropping out, through leg problems and dehydration, so I decided to ease back because I wanted to finish, at this point I managed to chat to a few people. I was chatting to Stevo so much both of us missed the 19 mile point, but we were well chuffed when we suddenly came across the 20 mile marker, we decided to run for a bit at which point i left Stevo behind, a little later I slowed to a fast walk alongside a chap called Matt who was struggling with 4 miles to go, we chatted and he was in quite some pain I told him I would see him through to the end as he was so close, we were joined by a guy called Chips and marched our way down the centre of the Embankment, The crowds made us feel like complete heroes, they were amazing.

We got to the 800 Metres to go marker and Matt let us run on, I hope he finished.

A wise OLD man (only joking) told me before,that there are many things in life that are so hyped up that they are an anticlimax but this is not one of them. The whole day was amazing, the crowds were fantastic, I got so much support on the way around and it was great that the same faces were even more vocal in the second half. Apart from my family and the FSI team who were awesome the sound of "here comes Snooky!!" and massive roar from total strangers was probably one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. So to all the supporters around the course, thank you, without you the experience would not have been a fraction of what it was.

Today... can I walk, since completing I have been back to Plymouth, travelled up to Sheffield and now I'm in Manchester so haven't really had chance to rest, but the only bit that is really sore are the tops of my thighs, especially when going up and down stairs. Other than that I feel good.


I just want to say a massive thank you to Paul, my brother who has added a further £500 to my donations taking me beyond my target, you are a star, thank you.


So the ultimate question....... would I do it again? (sorry Jude..) Bring it on........

So until next time

Cheers
Snooky

On My Way

Well I'm on my way, I'm on the train to London, I am heading straight for the Excel Centre to register and get my number and bits and pieces and start soaking up the atmosphere, tomorrow I'm going to pop in to see the team at the FSI office.

I'm travelling first class, wow a table to myself, a chair that fits and peace and quiet!! The joke is it cost me £1.90 less than standard class on the same train last week!

I want to do a couple of thank yous, firstly to my taxi driver from Taxi Fast in Plymouth who gave me half my fare back as a donation. A Big thanks goes to Jury's Inns in Croydon who have agreed to give me B & B for the next three nights at a very low rate and also Jury's Inn in Plymouth for their various donations.

I would like to thank Trudy and her son for offering accommodation in London, it really is appreciated, but to be honest (despite popular belief) I am really shy and however much you tell me it's ok, I really struggle with the concept of imposing myself on people I have not met before, for three days. So once again thank you sooooo much for the very kind offer.

I would like to thank the staff and customers of the Bank pub in Plymouth for both their financial and verbal support and I'll see you all next Wednesday.

I would like to thank Little Miss Motivator from the FSI for her supportive emails, I will see you tomorrow when I collect my Tutu!! Thanks for making it for me Kim.

I would like to thank my team at A4e for my Mascot "Snooky Bear" he's awesome, also to Hayley and the Pathways teams in Wales

I would also like to thank my Wife and kids for putting up with my absence, and giving me the support when I have been out training.

Thanks to the yellow coated stick insects who gave me the motivation when out training and so much material for updating my blog!

So Sunday, If you are in London and watching I have Snooky on my shirt, so if you want me to hear you call out Mike, I'll be the one walking until I spot a TV camera and then start running!!! (only joking), I will be in my FSI T-shirt with a lovely purple Tutu and aiming to complete in about 5 1/2 hours.

There is still time to sponsor me either through my Just Giving account or if you are not comfortable with that just email your pledge via my website www.funmachine-uk.com. At time of writing I'm still about £500 short of my target. Although I still have sponsorship forms with Pixieland in Saltash and A4e Pathways Wales are still fundraising for me, thanks guys it's really appreciated.

Right I had better go while I still have a signal.
Speak to you soon.

Cheers
Snooky

THE HOME RUN!!!!

Hi folks, well this time next week it will be all over!!! Hopefully I will have completed the marathon and achieved my biggest challenge of my life.

Sorry I didn't let you know how things have been going over the last couple of weeks it's been crazily busy, we have had two birthdays in our household, my 43rd on Tuesday and My little boys 5th on Friday, so there was a bit of partying all week.

I did go out for a run last Sunday about 8 miles around Saltash, another glorious Sunday followed by the rest of the day spent on the beach in Looe.

Mid week I didn't actually go out for a run, however I went up to London for one of my birthday presents which was to see AC/DC at the O2 Arena, so although I didn't run, I walked from Canning Town to my Hotel at London City Airport and then back to the DLR and spent 2 hours jumping on the spot as the veteran rockers showed no signs of slowing down, with probably the most OTT live show I have seen for a long time and by far the best opening to a live gig. Ironically the O2 Arena did well to transport us back to the eighties advertising future gigs from UB40, Spandau Ballet and Aha!!! oh and Cliff Richard and The Shadows.

The realisation and butterflies really kicked in with this trip to London especially as a rode the DLR past Canary Wharf thinking I will be running around that next week!

Today and another glorious sunny Sunday, watched the Grand Prix then got up and ran for an hour around the hills of Saltash, no issues apart from it seems to go so quick. I tried some new running clothes today, all the proper wicking clothes. All seemed to be good and light. Having said that the long range forecast to be overcast and about 5-6 degrees C, so should be quite comfortable providing it doesn't rain.

I'm sitting here with Secret Millionaire on the telly, and it just dawned on me if it wasn't for this programme I probably wouldn't be running the Marathon, because the FSI wouldn't exist. Emma started the FSI after her experience and learning from her time as the Secret Millionaire.

If you are reading this and have yet to donate please visit my Justgiving site by clicking on the widget on the right. If you want to kn ow more about the FSI please visit www.thefsi.org to see what it's all about. Every £1 raised for the FSI is worth £7-£8 to a smaller charity in training and support.

I've taken leave from work for the next two weeks (a week to prepare and a week to recover), I am however having a fundraising Karaoke night this Wednesday at the Bank Pub in Plymouth. So please come along and give your support.

I'm travelling up to London on Thursday to register and get settled in, so this will be my last blog before the Marathon, so speak to you after.

Cheers
Snooky

Yikes 20 days to go

As I said last week it's time to taper down my training, So yesterday I just ran for 10 miles, the great thing was it was easy, not only did I run the majority of it, I also did it at much faster pace than usual, in fact I actually over took other runners!! I think the pace was psychological because I knew I wasn't doing 20 miles, The weird thing is when you finish running only 10 miles you actually feel guilty thinking you have cheated.

So as far as fundraising goes I will be taking the sponsorship form and collection tin to the Bank Pub in Plymouth for the Karaoke for the next 3 Wednesdays, so come along and please make a contribution and have a great night.

There is a bonus for the Karaoke fans I will be at the Hogs Head on Thursday night as well.
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Remember check out www.thefsi.org to check out why I;m putting myself through this. £1 raised for the FSI is Worth about £7 to a small charity.

Cheers

Snooky