The Big One
I remember on New Years' Eve 2004 telling myself 2005 was going to be a great year for me. And so it has proved so far (mostly): England have won the Ashes. Whilst I have not yet got myself published, I have got my writing career off the ground, and am at least writing for an (hopefully!) appreciative audience, and I have made a career change - call centre monkey to marketing. Not bad eh?
But more importantly, I have learnt something this year. I think I have it cracked. I now know how a smoker can give up cigarettes. I know how an alcoholic can give up the demon drink. I know how an addict can give up drugs. I know how Freddie Flintoff can make the most of his talents, take on Australia and come out on top. I also know how someone like me can achieve something he thought was way beyond him - run a half marathon.
The common denominator is this: the person in question has to really, really want to achieve their ambition. Now I'm not saying I'm the same as dear Freddie. Heavens no. He is 10 years younger than me, better looking, bigger, fitter, and stronger, has a beautiful wife and family and is a public hero. Oh and he plays cricket for England.
But in some ways we're not that different. Running a half marathon, at any course, in any circumstances and in any time is no mean feat. Swindon half marathon is universally accepted as one of the toughest courses in the land. Despite a bad night's sleep I managed it in a very respectable 2 hours, 4 minutes and something seconds. Not bad for a first-timer, eh?
Thankfully the weather was almost perfect (dry, not too cold, nor too hot or humid). But the race was still hard going. It was every bit as hilly as people made out. But I had faith in myself, thanks in no small part to Anthony. He has been fantastic - pushing me to my limits, making the occasional jibe about my weight (and rightly so - I have a lot to lose, and I'll be a different person for it. At least he tells me what he thinks rather than looking at my belly and pulling a face like most people do!!) But all the while he has filled me with confidence in my own ability.
And he has been great fun to work with. He is under pressure - his girlfriend is expecting in the New Year - a lovely pressure, but pressure nonetheless and to his enormous credit he has never let it show. I've always admired his sense of perspective - whilst he clearly wants me to achieve the best I can, he still encourages me to have the odd glass of wine and a few beers after a race.
Anyway back to the race. Yes it was hard, bloody hard. After about 8 miles I was running on empty. I had severe stomach pains (possibly because I had burnt off the carbohydrates I had loaded up on the last few days). But I kept thinking about what this means. And so I carried on.
About the 12-mile marker I experienced something I had never experienced before: I felt dizzy and faint. I was scared for the first time ever during a run. So I stopped and walked for a couple of minutes and I was fine. By the time I got to the finish line I was spent. Totally. I'll never know how I did it, but I managed to sprint the last 400 metres to the line.
So why did I put myself through this? Well, for me this should be a turning point. It’s about doing something you don't think you can do. Today it was running a half marathon (on a notoriously hard route, in a storming time). Next up it'll be getting ready for the London marathon and writing my first novel. Anyone want to bet against me?
In the meantime, I have earned a break. So I'm off to one of my favourite places, the peaceful resort of Gouves in Crete. It's lovely there. A short drive from the capital, Heraklion, the beaches are long and sandy, the people are lovely, the food is great and the beer is cold.
It won't be a complete break however. I will take my trainers in case I get restless, and I will be honing my writing craft by enjoying the following great reads:
Andrew Flintoff - Being Freddie
Rising From The Ashes - Graham Thorpe
A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby
Vince and Joy - Lisa Jewell
Brand New Friend - Mike Gayle
The Understudy - David Nicholls
I'll let you know what I think. Right now though, I'm off to my mate Graeme's house (he ran the race today, his third half marathon, and did very, very well considering his lack of training) for a magnificent Sunday roast. I think I've earned it.
About this time last year I went to another part of Greece, the resort of Nidri in Lefkas. I remember texting Graeme to say I felt "physically sick" at the thought of coming home (due mostly to the situation at work and the impending redundancy). This time I'll have a lot to look forward to when I get back: more running, more races, a new job, cracking on with the writing, and spending time with my friends, old and new. What a difference a year makes.
Copyright © Jonathan Weedon October 2005
But more importantly, I have learnt something this year. I think I have it cracked. I now know how a smoker can give up cigarettes. I know how an alcoholic can give up the demon drink. I know how an addict can give up drugs. I know how Freddie Flintoff can make the most of his talents, take on Australia and come out on top. I also know how someone like me can achieve something he thought was way beyond him - run a half marathon.
The common denominator is this: the person in question has to really, really want to achieve their ambition. Now I'm not saying I'm the same as dear Freddie. Heavens no. He is 10 years younger than me, better looking, bigger, fitter, and stronger, has a beautiful wife and family and is a public hero. Oh and he plays cricket for England.
But in some ways we're not that different. Running a half marathon, at any course, in any circumstances and in any time is no mean feat. Swindon half marathon is universally accepted as one of the toughest courses in the land. Despite a bad night's sleep I managed it in a very respectable 2 hours, 4 minutes and something seconds. Not bad for a first-timer, eh?
Thankfully the weather was almost perfect (dry, not too cold, nor too hot or humid). But the race was still hard going. It was every bit as hilly as people made out. But I had faith in myself, thanks in no small part to Anthony. He has been fantastic - pushing me to my limits, making the occasional jibe about my weight (and rightly so - I have a lot to lose, and I'll be a different person for it. At least he tells me what he thinks rather than looking at my belly and pulling a face like most people do!!) But all the while he has filled me with confidence in my own ability.
And he has been great fun to work with. He is under pressure - his girlfriend is expecting in the New Year - a lovely pressure, but pressure nonetheless and to his enormous credit he has never let it show. I've always admired his sense of perspective - whilst he clearly wants me to achieve the best I can, he still encourages me to have the odd glass of wine and a few beers after a race.
Anyway back to the race. Yes it was hard, bloody hard. After about 8 miles I was running on empty. I had severe stomach pains (possibly because I had burnt off the carbohydrates I had loaded up on the last few days). But I kept thinking about what this means. And so I carried on.
About the 12-mile marker I experienced something I had never experienced before: I felt dizzy and faint. I was scared for the first time ever during a run. So I stopped and walked for a couple of minutes and I was fine. By the time I got to the finish line I was spent. Totally. I'll never know how I did it, but I managed to sprint the last 400 metres to the line.
So why did I put myself through this? Well, for me this should be a turning point. It’s about doing something you don't think you can do. Today it was running a half marathon (on a notoriously hard route, in a storming time). Next up it'll be getting ready for the London marathon and writing my first novel. Anyone want to bet against me?
In the meantime, I have earned a break. So I'm off to one of my favourite places, the peaceful resort of Gouves in Crete. It's lovely there. A short drive from the capital, Heraklion, the beaches are long and sandy, the people are lovely, the food is great and the beer is cold.
It won't be a complete break however. I will take my trainers in case I get restless, and I will be honing my writing craft by enjoying the following great reads:
Andrew Flintoff - Being Freddie
Rising From The Ashes - Graham Thorpe
A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby
Vince and Joy - Lisa Jewell
Brand New Friend - Mike Gayle
The Understudy - David Nicholls
I'll let you know what I think. Right now though, I'm off to my mate Graeme's house (he ran the race today, his third half marathon, and did very, very well considering his lack of training) for a magnificent Sunday roast. I think I've earned it.
About this time last year I went to another part of Greece, the resort of Nidri in Lefkas. I remember texting Graeme to say I felt "physically sick" at the thought of coming home (due mostly to the situation at work and the impending redundancy). This time I'll have a lot to look forward to when I get back: more running, more races, a new job, cracking on with the writing, and spending time with my friends, old and new. What a difference a year makes.
Copyright © Jonathan Weedon October 2005
posted by Jon | 3:17 pm
1 Comments:
Cheers me dear, I can tell you a result like that would have been impossible a few months ago never mind a year ago..shows how hard I have worked.
Glad you are enjoying the blog, I read some fantastic books on holiday by Lisa Jewell and Mike Gayle especially, I know I have it all to do if I ever want to be that good.. Only time will tell.
Take care, Jon xxx
Everyone else out there - in case you're wondering - no I didn't pay Donna or provide any other "favours" to get her to post this comment. Honest.
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