Last weekend I completed the Berlin marathon to raise funds for Anthony Nolan, a charity which takes back lives from leukaemia by providing life saving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.
I had the most amazing run considering I only managed 8 weeks training due to injury (half my usual amount). It was my fifth marathon to date and, although I have run faster times, I was pleased to finish in under 4 hours. I felt good most of the way usng a new strategy where I ran to my heart rate rather than to a specific time or pace. You can read more about the Marco technique here.
It was also very humbling to meet people who had meaningful connections with my charity. An American lady, called Melissa, spotted my vest at the start and came through the crowd to tell me that two years ago Anthony Nolan saved her life. I was so moved that I spent the next few minutes trying to pull myself together before the race began. At the finish I also met a doctor, called John Snowden, who ran for Anthony Nolan as his hospital has had a lot of invaluable support from them. Later he tracked my charity page down online and donated to my fundraising, which was really generous of him. The running community is so friendly and inspiring.
I also took part in an international 6km fun run the day before, which finished in the Olympic stadium. It was amazing to stand in the same place where the African American, Jesse Owens, won four golds in front of an the Aryan supremicist, Hitler, at the 1936 Olympic games. Luz Long, Owen's German competitor, helped him improve his run up to win the long jump medal and was the first to congratulate him. Even in troubled times the Olympic spirit rises above politics. Jesse Owens later said, "You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn't be a plating for the 24 carot friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment." Watch a two minute video of this story here.
The 41st BMW Berlin marathon was won by Dennis Kimetto who broke the world record completing the 26.22 mile (42.2km) course in two hours two minutes and 57 seconds. It was a beautiful sunny day for the 40,000 runners who took part in the race that finished through the iconic Brandenburg gate. It's pretty cool to be able to take part in the same race as the fastest man in the world.
I had some wonderful support from my friends and family for the marathon. On my return to the UK I even received a lovely congratulations card from the Anthony Nolan events team, thanking me for raising funds for them. I have run for many charities over the years and they are the first to take the time to send me a card, which really felt special.
I would like to thank everyone from the card industry, and in particular the 2013 Ladder Club delegates, who kindly donated to the funds I raised in support of my dear friend, Lynn Tait, who has had to call on the help of the Anthony Nolan Trust this year.
Please contribute to my Anthony Nolan fundraising page by clicking here
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