Congratulations - what a time. You must be very proud.
Thank you! I am very proud, though not as proud as you are of me. Not only did I finish the run in a barnstorming time of 3.52 - in extraordinarily harsh conditions, I should add - but I beat the times of world-class celebrities like Steve Coogan, Ed Balls and Arg from Towie. I don’t think people will ever misunderestimate me again.
What you would say was your greatest achievement?
What with the injuries, my asthma and the dog attack, it was touch and go there for a while! But I’d say my greatest achievement was to touch so many lives.
Tell us about the run. I hear the conditions were horrendous
You heard right. Freezing winds, sleep and hail - it couldn’t have been much worse. I’m certainly not one to make exaggerated claims, but it was quite literally a war zone out there. In fact it was so cold I couldn’t get my jelly babies out of my pocket - and no, before you ask, that’s not a euphemism! After the run I didn’t warm up for fully ten or 15 minutes. Much longer and I’d have been a goner for sure.
Hi Sam, love the blog! How come you haven’t updated it since the run?
Thank you so much. It was great to be say ‘OK, I’ve set myself an incredibly tough target, I might not make it but I’ll be doing my damnedest’, and take people with me on that journey. Sadly, since the run I just haven’t had the time to update it, what with juggling a full time job with bringing up three kids. And of course, my Twitter won’t update itself (those who missed my recent ‘songs that you didn’t know were covers’ five tweet series can click here for a recap.)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun was a cover. My head still can’t get itself around that fact.
I know, right!
You ran a great race, your blog was amazing - and yet you did so well with the fundraising as well.
I know - quite the hat trick! Being able to do something for people less fortunate made me feel very humble - and yet, at the same time, quite special. In fact, discovering that you can do not one, not two, but three different things so well is, in itself, very very humbling.
How come you didn’t thank me for sponsoring you?
Of course, I really appreciated every donation, but unfortunately I just don’t have the time to thank everyone directly. I'm a lot busier than you are and every bit of spare energy had to go into focusing on the big day. I’m sure you’d all prefer I focused my efforts where they were most needed, rather than wasting my time stroking your egos. And in any case you should have received an automated acknowledgement.
What was your biggest challenge?
Undoubtedly it was being away from my family for long periods while I was training for the run. The marathon claims a big part of us I’m afraid, and that’s something that isn’t easy to deal with. My partner, Kate, likes to joke that I only did it to get away from her and the kids!
Do you have any tips for other people?
Let’s be honest here - not everyone can do what I did. In fact, statistics show less than 1% of the population have the will and sheer ability to run a marathon. You can still achieve a lot though, albeit on a much, much smaller scale. That sponsored walk - that’s your marathon. Helping that old lady across the road - that’s your marathon.
Can we see any pictures of you during the run online?
I’ve been asked this question a lot. I’m afraid the short answer is no. I realise that people want to see me in a tight pair of shorts and a vest top, soaking wet from the rain, clothes clinging to my honed body. Unfortunately I just can’t risk being recognised on the street - I do need to be able to continue with my life with some sort of freedom. So I had to have the photos taken down.
Well reem time in the marathon mate stop much reemer than mine stop oh and your blog was reem as well stop thanks for the mentions stop REEM! stop love Arg from Towie stop
Thanks Arg!
So there we have it...oh hold on, a few more texts and emails are just coming in now...
Hi, didn’t you just use this marathon as an excuse to get out of the house, leaving your partner to struggle with the kids?
Hello, I recognise that number - hi Kate! Yes, this issue of running-life balance is certainly a vexed one. The thing is, what makes we runners tick is impossible for ordinary people to understand, so there’s little point trying to explain.
Hi Daddy, I'd just like to remind you that I exist.
Only 21 months old and already texting, eh! Look, I’m sorry if I haven’t been around as much over the past months. Sadly, an undertaking like this does inevitably mean making some sacrifices. And it breaks my heart, it really does, it rips me in two. But of course, you can always contact me by leaving a comment on my blog, and I’ll do my best to get back to you.
Hi, I make a point of always looking through your emails. I can’t find any from someone called
Hi again Kate. It’s well known that Arg always communicates by telegram. It’s just the way he rolls.
And those letters are in your own writing.
Ha ha!
If you were training so hard how come your ‘office’ is full of empty beer cans and pizza boxes?
Ha, thanks Kate, it’s always good to bring a bit of humour into what is essentially a very serious topic! Training for a marathon uses thousands of calories a week and sometimes it’s a struggle to take in enough to replace them. There are a lot of schools of thought about the best way to do it - and don’t forget even athletes need to wind down now and again.
Ah, that must why you’ve been visiting those online poker sites. And if you’ve done all this training, how come you’ve actually put on weight?
Hi again Kate. Well, it’s all about distribution, about toning. Muscle is actually much denser than fat. It’s not just about weight - that’s a very crude way of looking at it. I thought I’d explained that to you.
But you don’t look very toned.
Appearances can be deceptive!
How can they?
I’m sorry?
You said appearances can be deceptive, but that makes no sense in this context
Thanks for your messages Kate! Unfortunately we do need to keep things moving on.
We do not appear to have received any sponsorship money from you to date. We should point out that obtaining sponsorship by deception is a very serious offence.
Hi, it’s been fantastic to be a part of such a great cause. I can assure you that you will receive every penny, and more. I just need a few good hands to come my way...
We’re so sorry you couldn’t take up your place this year. If you would like to register for next year’s...
OK, we going to have to wrap this up now. Thanks for all your messages, and see you next year!
