Edinburgh Marathon

What a change. Seven days ago, I was in China running over mountains, in 34 degree heat with less than 1,000 other people. This week I’m in Scotland, joining over 7,000 other runners for the Edinburgh marathon, it is blowing a gale and tipping with rain! I leave my hotel room just 20 minutes before the start to avoid getting too wet. My cheering party of one, decides it is too cold and wet to even consider leaving the hotel to wave me off the start line – so she stays at the hotel promising to be there in spirit. I know she is lying, she’s probably already tucked back up in bed asleep, which is where I wish I’d stayed this Sunday morning as I huddle under a tree for shelter in my soaking wet shorts somewhere close to the start.

I’m joined by a third time marathon runner (all three at Edinburgh) who explains that last year it had been too hot – I find it hard to believe but manage a smile through my shivering.

Edinburgh is slightly different from other large marathons in that alongside those running the full marathon, are those taking part in an organised four person team relay. I have to admit this is rather disconcerting when you’ve just run 14 miles and you are suddenly joined by a fresh legged runner taking part for a 6-7 mile stint in the relay.

On the up side, their presence did help me ensure I kept a reasonable pace going and, after last week, I was determined not to be overtaken too many times – especially those wearing full panda suits running for WWF.

Despite the weather, Edinburgh was beautiful and participants, spectators and marshals were all very friendly.

Similar to the event I’d run in Cape Town just a couple of months ago, the course started inland and then headed along coastal roads and paths. The difference here is that while I had my breath taken away in Cape Town by the amazing scenery, here my breath was taken away by the shock of the sudden cold howling wind, which hits you as you turn onto the coastal road. The scenery though was comparable to Cape Town, very beautiful. This certainly was not your normal big city race which takes you through a high rise city centre.

The completion of this event was an important milestone for me – it marked my passing through the first 200 miles of my challenge – and this gave the race special significance and provided me with the motivation I needed to get around.

It is quite comforting to go to races and start seeing familiar faces and here I was pleased to see some of the guys from the 100 marathon club – I’m still dreaming that if I get through this year some day I might even belong.

I also met yet more inspiring people on my way around. One guy, who’d also flown up from Southampton, was raising money for his local hospital. After a few miles together he explained that he was in recovery having had a tumor removed from his spine and wanted to give something back. He confessed he wasn’t sure how he’d fair but he was determined to complete the 26 miles just the same. Then at the 22 mile marker I met Lewis who was also running for CF. He had a reoccurring knee injury and was really struggling. To be honest, he was in so much discomfort he really shouldn’t have been running but he’d come this far so I could see there was no way he was going to quit now. I decided to run with him and both sporting CF Trust vests we had at least two common interests – marathons and CF so I knew we’d have plenty to chat about for the next four long miles.

He explained that his partner had CF and he wanted to achieve this for her and to raise funds for the charity. Not only did he show great determination in continuing to run, he then gave me a run for my money with a great last 100 meter sprint!

We crossed the finish line together and had a photo taken before he met for an emotional reunion with his girlfriend. It is strange, they say exercise is supposed to release happy cells within your brain, maybe there is something wrong with mine because for the last two marathons the emotion in me reached boiling point and I just wanted to collapse and cry. I didn’t though, I slipped quietly away leaving Lewis and his girlfriend to their personal victory and headed back to the hotel - where I found my solo cheering party still sleeping soundly – obviously her thoughts were with me… in her dreams!