Wow! And what a come down!

A long time ago in a land far away (about 6 years ago in London) I told some new workmates trying to convince me to join a running club that "Runners are MAD! A completely senseless waste of energy in a pointless exercise!".

On Sunday May 15th, I took part in my first public running event, which also happened to be my first half marathon and the 20th Anniversary of the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon in Sydney.  An early start with a glorious dawn gave way to a beautiful day bright with sunshine and almost 11,000 people completed the to the 21km race which wound through some of the best parts of the city.  I was thrilled with my time of 2:25:56 and this was an important psychological as well as physical milestone on my way to New York in November.  I spent the rest of the day basking in my achievement and enjoying the company of my extended family.  A truly great day and even the cold bath to help soothe muscles and aid recovery was somehow enjoyable - runners are truly mad and I now count myself among them!

I read in one of my (many) marathon books that the days following a race can be a let down IF you don't have a new goal already set.  My next goal is New York and the days after this race were a let down ... so I'd like to correct that.  The days following a race can be a let down regardless of your goals!
I'm still fired up for training for New York and my first full marathon (I'm certain now it won't be my last) and I have more and more ideas for fundraising coming to me with renewed vigour, however the return to work and the rude shock of normality first thing on the Monday morning was just plain RUDE!!!  By Monday night I was struggling with a fit of the doldrums and the next few days were simply horrible with the elation of completing a major personal challenge rapidly dwindling away.  

Fortunately a return to exercise (ok, it was a 3km brisk walk) on Friday morning followed by a change of pace with a management away day at work has helped to snap me out of the lows and taught me a valuable lesson - mental discipline is not just necessary for the race, I'm going to need it in the days that follow as well.  I have already thought ahead and organised to take the week following the marathon off as annual leave to delay that return to normality (and hopefully avoid the crash). 

Looking back, last week actually wasn't that bad.  Eight of us from work took part in the half marathon and there was a write up in the company newsletter so the word is out again about my running New York. I finally met Rose and Colette - our wonderful Team World Vision liaison supporters, and I can hold my head up knowing that with rather interrupted preparation and a brief visit to hospital for a general anaesthetic and routine procedure 4 days before the race, I still managed to come in under 2 1/2 hours!

4 months and counting ...

4 months in and it has already been a roller coaster ride for both the training and the fundraising.

Fundraising has not been as smooth as hoped with less support than anticipated from certain areas, however I have $3,850 raised on the way towards the $10,000 goal and there are plenty of options in the pipeline!

I have dealt with health & fitness issues ranging from the aches and pains associated with getting used to running again, through to a bout of Giardia and all the complications that brings - including wanting to give up as the symptoms dragged on and I lost over 6 weeks out of my training plan!  Finally, with the support of friends, family and a magnificent physiotherapist, my training is back on track and a pair of orthotics combined with new running shoes means pain free runs :)

This week brings 2 new challenges - day surgery tomorrow (including a light general anaesthetic) and the SMH Half Marathon on Sunday for which I feel unprepared AND it will be a great experience anyway.

Join Hugh Jackman in giving the world's poor a hand up, not a hand out, and support me in my marathon bid by donating today at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/mikeedyejones_mmm.