This is a really difficult, if not THE most difficult post to write as I’m hoping it will help mend some fences, allow me to apologise profusely for my thoughtlessness and engender even an iota of self-belief in a lovely individual MARATHONER: As you already know my prose isn’t up to much so this is a VERY BIG ask today! Here’s hoping I don’t mess it up too badly............
Watching the London Marathon this morning courtesy of BBC iplayer and my bed – yup I’m officially lazy – I was vividly reliving Challenge Han’s and my route around the course – whoa that’s the section of the increasing frantic ETA loo countdown (opposite the Morgan Stanley building just as you enter Canary Wharf), that’s the bit where Big Ben needed to come into view about 40 mins earlier and the walk was getting a tad stressful. Home stretch baby, never been SOOOO relieved to see a finish line....... as I was urging on Keitany during the last mile from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace.
How incredible is Mary Keitany – winning the London Marathon in the Female elite category in 2 hours 19 min and 17 seconds and becoming the 4th fastest Marathon Runner in THE WORLD?
Not bad for a Sunday morning ;-)
However truthfully, Miss Challenge Hannah also deserves her recognition as WORLD CLASS. I casually rocked up yesterday at Greenwich Station for a long distance training walk – in preparation for the 60km walk on the 5th May - after Han had had the brilliant idea of walking the London Marathon route the day before the actual Marathon. Hannah even organised amazing pack lunches for us both and ensured I got out of bed sufficiently early so that we would finish before sunset! THANK YOUUUUU
What hadn’t fully sunk in for me was that this was a legitimately BIG DEAL for Hannah. This training walk was in fact an EPIC MILESTONE for Han – of course – so blatently obvious to anyone who knows Han and isn’t as dim witted as me.
As Hannah is WAY toooooo modest about her own accomplishments, I insist I fill you in........
A year ago Hannah was a size c.22 or thereabouts and unable to cover a kilometre comfortably. Two months ago, after meeting this lady with the BIGGEST and MOST FUN PERSONALITY POSSIBLE through group training, I talked a reluctant Han into undertaking a 60km walking challenge with me in May. At this point Han hadn’t even considered walking the 7km to work everyday as a possibility, and yesterday, now a foxy size 16 (the culmination of 12 months hard work – WOOP, WOOP), Hannah completed a full London Marathon course and the additional 5 miles entailed in not being able to follow the course route exactly (something about human beings minus cars not being allowed through the Limehouse Link Tunnel etc when it's not race day).
Moreover Hannah covered the 31 miles despite aching hips, recovering from a recent knee injury AND carrying a heavy backpack AND all in around 8 hours; mucho FASTER than the Hare and I who, last summer, free from any baggage (we were in our bras afterall!) completed just the Marathon distance in 7.5 hours. Hannah did it all too without the anticipation of a medal, pat on the back or getting any of the recognition that she REALLY REALLY deserves. I wouldn’t have been motivated to do anything similar. I am ALLLLL about the medal and recognition - as my family will testify - much to their chagrin I didn't take my Marathon medal off for ages.
Hannah at the kick off of her SERIOUSLY INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT.
Love this photo as despite my rubbish camera skills - it encapsulates Han's larger than life personality brilliantly.
Fittingly by comparison I'm not even half as fun/funny ;-)
Fittingly by comparison I'm not even half as fun/funny ;-)
As I've discovered over time any race is equally, if not MORE, a test of mental rather than physical prowess – I have only walked a marathon distance with two people – yesterday was a different and tougher experience for me mentally towards the end, though on reflection I think I pissed off my marathon compadres then and now equally. CRAPIOLA :-(
FYI - It takes nine people to put these miles markers up - four to do the work and five to stand around ;-)
Yesterday at the 21 mile mark, Hannah was starting to really feel the distance (her longest walk previously was 30km) and neither of us really appreciated the extra distance our detours were adding to the official Marathon distance, else I would have initiated an immediate sit down protest ;-) Yesterday’s training was nearly doubling Hannah’s previous PB distance. That’s like turning up to run a 10km and being told half way round you are actually running a half marathon. Not recommended by a long shot. You just don’t do it. SORRY Numero 1.
Over these sorts of distances you get an insight into different aspects of people’s characters – when I’m tired everything becomes hilarious (even things that are blatantly not) but my coping mechanism is laughing inanely at anything and everything. Not at all annoying!! SORRY Numero 2.
When Hannah's blood sugar drops she becomes frustrated by what she perceives to be her failings. Comparing yourself to anyone is a femme fatale curse though knowing that never stops us ladies from succumbing. I hadn't appreciated that by not verbalising my sore feet etc I was giving off the impression that this was a walk in the park for me. SORRY Numero 3.
Just under half way c. 13 miles.
I should have been picking up the signals that all was not well.
I am THAT dense.
SORRY Numero 4.
So it's time for some home truths.
Hannah is the life and soul of any group - she is HILARIOUS but she is also equally courageous and one of the most determined people I've met. It takes a lot to exercise in public when you're a size 16 plus. With Hannah, the last thing you notice is her size (particularly now that she is miniaturised!!), her personality is such a show stopper. Yesterday she was truly and legitimately fed up with the relentless walking by the 21 mile point (and at my failure to distract her sufficiently - SORRY Numero 5) and with still 5 miles and an hour and a bit left to go - she didn't pause or slow down (or keel over as I would have done in her place!) Neither did she accept any suggestion that we cut the distance down or stop for a breather - she just knuckled down and power walked express speed to the finish line. I REALLY had my work cut out keeping up with Hannah by the end, believe me. It wasn't the most relaxing finish but it was certainly the most determined. There were tears. (SORRY Numero 6)
In a very short amount of time Hannah will wipe the floor with me. To be honest, seeing her determination yesterday Hannah already has. What Hannah has achieved in a year is I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E. What Hannah achieved yesterday is I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E and she hasn't peaked by a long distance. I thought I could helpfully encourage people out of their comfort zone as I want them to see for themselves what they are capable of. Yesterday I learnt that I was bordering on meddling with things and people's feelings that I am not qualified to meddle with. Hannah - I'm really, truly SORRY (Numero 7) for pushing you too much, too far, too soon. I still know heart of hearts that you could/will run circles around me completing this 60km challenge or any of the challenges in the bet - but it is still a MASSIVE ask and I feel horribly like I've signed up a non-runner for an Iron Man as their first race. Totally, TOTALLY unfair. I'm so so SORRY (Numero 8 - a GAZILLION) and mortified by my thoughtlessness.
Also I would really rather not be at risk of aggravating anyone so much I end up getting punched - unwittingly it was a really close run thing yesterday so I'm SORRY (Numero Gazillion and 1)
Hannah you really should believe how incredible you actually are. You are a well deserved Marathoner and you have the guts to achieve ANYTHING you put your mind to - that much is abundantly clear.
As for me, in future I will try to keep my mouth firmly shut, not make any sudden movements and try to be wayyyyyyy less irritating ;-)
WELL DONE DUUUUUDE. So, so proud. xx
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