49 and First Ever Marathon ... seeking support

10th Apr '18 by PhilHofGrowYourDough

15 comments 6029 reads

Hi All,

As some of you have recently indicated that some of my ideas have helped in your investing decisions/strategy I wondered if I might invite you to sponsor me in my first ever marathon?

At the tender age of 49 I'm running the ABP Newport Wales Marathon on 29th April 2018 and I have to admit I'm starting to get a little nervous.

My official number turning up has brought the race into sharp focus.

I've undertaken loads of training over the winter, averaging 150 kms a month. The furthest I've ever run was 33km two weeks ago and make no mistake, every time I step up in distance it hurts! So trust me the marathon distance is going to hurt on the day and for a few days following.

Here's an example of me hurting in a 5Km ParkRun. You an multiply the pain by a factor of at least 7. Gawd knows what faces I'll be pulling in the last 3 miles.

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(Photo: J M Ross)

I've chosen to seek donations for two charities, Sesame Counselling Service in Newport & Cancer Research UK.

Sesame Counselling Service is a charitable donation based counselling service based in Newport, South Wales. The charity was established in the 1990's and since that time it has received no external funding instead running on a shoestring that is the client donations. The service operates for 3 hours a week and is staffed by volunteers. As well as offering low cost counselling it also serves as a placement for trainee counsellors and it served as my placement when I went through my training between 2007 & 2009. I'm currently on the Management Committee of the charity and any funds raised will be put towards funding the supervision of the counsellors. Supervision in this context is the support and oversight of an experienced counsellor in order to ensure that the counsellors delivering the service are operating in an ethical manner. Regular and ongoing supervision is a mandatory requirement of our professional body, the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). Of late Sesame has found it hard to recruit supervisors due to limited funds and without supervision, counselling cannot be offered so the funds raised would play a crucial role in ensuring…

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jonthetourist

10th Apr '18

Hi Phil

I have watched a lot of marathons. When my partner ran her first, also in Wales, she had some very interesting advice from her more experienced running partner. He said they would walk the first 400 yards, until the other runners were out of sight.

Two reasons, first is you don't stress your body by being influenced to run at a pace that is wrong for you. Second is that every runner you see thereafter you will be passing, which is a series of little lifts to morale, which come moe and more often.

FWIW, she broke 4 hours. :)

Jon

PhilHofGrowYourDough

Hi Jon,

Yes running 5:40 pace for a 4hr finish is challenging at the start as I naturally run faster than that and challenging at the end as by that point I'm struggling to run that pace.

Hopefully I can stay sensible.

I've been advised hit beetroot shots in the last week before the race. I'm not convinced that it'll make much difference but I'll be so distracted by peeing pink that I won't be able to worry about the event.

13th Apr '18

Many thanks for the donations so far.

Very much appreciated.
Phil

25th Apr '18

Ed & Team,

Many thanks for highlighting my upcoming marathon, I'm very grateful.

Even more thanks go to the individuals who have sponsored me so far. The funds will make such a difference especially to Sesame which is a tiny charity.

As a bit of a 'treat' you could watch this video of me grappling with my Beetroot juice regime (apparently it's quite funny) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q8fPppVlgM

Or a video in which I explain my motivation and a talk a bit about the charities I'm raising funds for ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H7Xu1dTStI&t=3s

Thanks again
Phil

Edward Croft

Phil - I've donated to both your charities... I can't imagine how hard running that far is. I've only ever run 8 miles. I did cycle a long way, but that was with a padded backside and low impact !!!

Wishing you all the best.

Ed

TheWatchmaker

26th Apr '18

Good Luck Phil.
The good news is that it doesn't matter what you look like while you run! What matters is your personal pride in taking part and in the knowledge that you are raising money for a cause that you care about.
Try to enjoy it.

Ed thanks so much for your generous donation.
I've run for 3 hrs 20m for about 33km and that hurt so I'll be in new territory on Sunday.

The step up in mileage is always painful but I've run over 1000km since October so hopefully that'll serve me well.

Thanks again
Phil

Thanks TheWatchmaker, very much appreciate your donations.

I shall try to enjoy it :-)

aflash

27th Apr '18

Phil,

I do not expect you to have any problems during the event.

Adrenaline carries everybody along.

Afterwards of course but light exercise and lots of stretching, yoga, saunas, massages gets you back on your feet in a week or so.

It is too late to suggest Cabohydrate Loading for this event but it does help.

Try it for the next one. I have completed around 20 including two of 3hrs, albeit when younger than you.

Thanks aflash,

I've been on noodles and pasta over the last few days so hopefully I'm topped up on Glygocen.
I'm also on a disgusting Beetroot shot regime!

I'll be taking nutrition out with me too. I can't stand the gels but the bars are ok.
The weather forecast is cool which is great

The best part is with all of the fantastic donations I've currently raised £650 for Sesame Counselling Service & £319 for Cancer Research UK.

That'll really help in the last 10km

Cheers
Phil

JohnEustace

29th Apr '18

Looks like you made it Phil - well done.

Congratulations Phil !

Thanks guys ... oh boy legs and core are sore. Feet surprisingly good though.
Had two bacon sandwiches and now I'm going to have a soak in a warm bath

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Thanks so much to the Stockopedia community who have really helped to push up the fundraising totals.

£705 for Sesame Counselling Service & £359 for Cancer Research UK for a grand total of £1064. Outstanding! Many thanks once again.

Warm regards
Phil

Job done, Phil. Great work raising all the money. Take a well earned a rest.

seismo101a

Well done Phil.

The max I've ever done is a half Marathon. I couldn't imagine having do the same again to make it a full Marathon. Congratulations too, on the fund raising.

49 and First Ever Marathon ... seeking support

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PhilHofGrowYourDough

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