March 2011

Firstly, the running. After a few setbacks as explained last month I feel back on track with the running element. Admittedly I did struggle a little last week due to achy legs and a grumpy temper for which I have no good reason. This Sunday though I did my first 20 mile run and it was awesome.

Before a run I have a routine to help me enter ‘the zone’ which involves carb overload the previous night, hydrating my socks off, ensuring my shorts match my top and a variety of other minor rituals which have to be administered in such a particular way that I’m seriously wondering if I’m slightly autistic. I’ve found that simultaneously downing a double espresso and a couple of Imodium an hour before works miracles although I’ve yet to find that top tip written in any official training guide.

Onto the outfit. As I mentioned last month, I let the kids at school decide what I was going to wear. The votes were casted and counted and the decision was made that a double take baby/gran outfit be worn. This played heavily on the fact that the inflatable elements of the costume made it look as if an old granny was giving a baby a piggy back. However I not only had one but two wardrobe malfunctions with this as first the baby legs popped when I blew them up and then the granny arms did the same on the replacement.

Second up was a green fairy Tinkerbelly outfit which as you can see is pretty cool. Oh, come on, you know you’d like to try it on! Organisers of marathons advise fun runners to practise up to at least 16 miles in their costumes prior to the event but I ask you this. Where in the world are you supposed to do that? It ain’t going to happen along the seafront on a Sunday afternoon nor at the gym of an evening of that I’m certain. So, with absolutely no pun intended, I’m just going to wing it on the day.

And finally, the last part of preparing for a marathon is the fundraising. An element that needs almost as much organisation as the training itself. Friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and local businesses have all been invited to sponsor me. I even had a brainwave (albeit a slightly left field one) of writing to celebrities such as Elton and Kylie to see if they’d be willing to part with a fiver.

As you know I’m running for the 2011 CHIVA (Children with HIV Association) summer camp. If you would like to find out more about the work of CHIVA, volunteering on the camp or sponsoring me then please visit:–

www.justgiving.com/Paul-Harrington224

Have a great month and do wave at the green fairy if you are in Brighton on the 10th April.

xx

• Read more