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The Race That Was

Marathon1

A sweaty and knackered me

After the race that never was, the race that was. Yesterday I ran my first marathon. When I had to pull out of doing the London Marathon earlier this year due to illness I was massively disappointed, but I set my sights on doing another one before the year was out. To be honest, having done all the training and build up for London it felt like unfinished business, and although everyone kindly allowed the charity to keep all the money I'd raised, I still felt like I wanted to complete the distance to somehow 'earn' the sponsorhip.

So I signed up for the New Forest Marathon which meant a whole bunch more training, another new pair of trainers, and a few more blisters – but I'm not complaining, because it was an amazing experience. It's funny how it's the little things that give you such encouragement and inspiration. So thanks should go to the guy from the Royal Navy that I ran 8 miles with when the heat was really kicking in, the girl that high-fived me at 16 miles, and to the lady that offered me biscuits at 21 miles (it's the thought that counts). And at the risk of this turning into a gushing Gwyneth Paltrow speech, thanks again to all those who were so generous with their sponsorship (I raised over £1600 for the PSP Association), and special thanks to my better half for the immeasurable support (and the Hawaiian Lei). I loved it all.

20 responses to “The Race That Was”

  1. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    Awesome awesome achievement sir. Hope you enjoyed it and recover quickly!

  2. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    Awesome awesome achievement sir. Hope you enjoyed it and recover quickly!

  3. Vic Houghton Avatar
    Vic Houghton

    Good work that man

  4. Vic Houghton Avatar
    Vic Houghton

    Good work that man

  5. BenAS Avatar
    BenAS

    Well done mate. That is a huge effort! A big “congratulations” on both the race and the £1600!
    Enjoy the recovery/mug feeling, and remember there’s no shame in walking backwards down stairs for 48 hours after a marathon!

  6. BenAS Avatar
    BenAS

    Well done mate. That is a huge effort! A big “congratulations” on both the race and the £1600!
    Enjoy the recovery/mug feeling, and remember there’s no shame in walking backwards down stairs for 48 hours after a marathon!

  7. neilperkin Avatar
    neilperkin

    Thanks for the kind words all.
    Ben – definitely a lot of backwards-stair-walking going on 🙂

  8. neilperkin Avatar
    neilperkin

    Thanks for the kind words all.
    Ben – definitely a lot of backwards-stair-walking going on 🙂

  9. Brett T. T. Macfarlane Avatar
    Brett T. T. Macfarlane

    Bravo. Nicely done, soak up the satisfaction.
    I can appreciate the need to recognize the little people. I forever thank overweight angry military guy on mile 24.25 of the 2008 Chicago marathon yelling bitterly at me as cramps forced 3 steps of walking.

  10. Brett T. T. Macfarlane Avatar
    Brett T. T. Macfarlane

    Bravo. Nicely done, soak up the satisfaction.
    I can appreciate the need to recognize the little people. I forever thank overweight angry military guy on mile 24.25 of the 2008 Chicago marathon yelling bitterly at me as cramps forced 3 steps of walking.

  11. Stan Lee Avatar
    Stan Lee

    Outstanding achievement. Well done!

  12. Stan Lee Avatar
    Stan Lee

    Outstanding achievement. Well done!

  13. neilperkin Avatar
    neilperkin

    Nice one Brett and thanks Stan 🙂

  14. neilperkin Avatar
    neilperkin

    Nice one Brett and thanks Stan 🙂

  15. andy Avatar
    andy

    Congratulations Neil. Glad you finished your unfinished business! Andy

  16. andy Avatar
    andy

    Congratulations Neil. Glad you finished your unfinished business! Andy

  17. Simon Avatar
    Simon

    Congratulations – sterling effort!

  18. Simon Avatar
    Simon

    Congratulations – sterling effort!

  19. neilperkin Avatar
    neilperkin

    Thanks guys

  20. neilperkin Avatar
    neilperkin

    Thanks guys

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