Achieving the Unachievable (From The Argus)

Achieving the Unachievable

10:12pm Monday 19th April 2010 in Blogs By Graham Bartlett

Achieving the Unachievable

Well how about that!! I actually managed run a marathon thereby notching one up on those ‘things to do before you die’ lists. Actually there were occasions during the run that I thought the two events would coincide! Seriously, I was so impressed with the organisers, the volunteers, the crowds, the runners and, of course, the emergency services. Everyone pulled together to make the whole day a really enjoyable experience. Most of all, I was really lifted by the appearance of my wonderful wife and children popping up at different points of the route, the kids having run the mini mile themselves and Julie keeping 5 children entertained throughout! Hang on; did I say enjoyable having run 26.2 miles in the midday sun with no breeze and 45 years of sedentary lifestyle behind me? I must still be delirious.

So how did I do, timing wise I hear you ask. Well – finishing was always my goal, not time. So when I registered I put down something like 5.5 hours. Then, as the training kicked in, I thought, maybe 5 hours so ----- the 4.33 my trusty Garmin (and reassuringly the Marathon computer) said I did, well, you can imagine my glee. I must say, one of the funniest things for me was the way runners, including me, were literally wandering around bumping into each other just after the finish line. I am not sure whether it was, exhaustion, relief, elation or confusion (probably a combination of all four) but it did bring home what an endurance the last few hours had been.

On a poignant note, I was struck by the number of personal tragedies, grief and hope there was on each and every charity shirt. Everyone seemed to have a really heartfelt reason to be there and those personal thoughts, I am sure drove people to achieve the unachievable.

Sunday showed what a special and wonderful place Brighton and Hove is. It demonstrated everything that is good about the city so well done to all involved, be they runners, organisers, volunteers, families or anyone else – we couldn’t have done it without you!! Here’s to next year’s event (where I will probably take a more familiar role!)