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Calling all Flora London Marathon 2009 hopefuls...
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Hello.
My running history is unfortunately not very interesting. It has only been since I got my place in the Marathon that I have really got into it, before...I would occasionally go out, but not on a strict training schedule, purely for the enjoyment of it and keeping fit. My dad was always a really keen runner, and completed 3 marathons! Sadly he fell ill and died of cancer in 2003, it had been a wish of his to run the marathon one last time for the Teenage Cancer Trust and as he didnt get to fufill his wish, I have decided to do it for him.
I would really love the oppurtunity to work with some of your trainers so that I can complete this marathon in the best time possible! I don't really know where to start with training etc, and although I have been looking on Runners World to help me, to have someone with firsthand experience would be great! I have all the drive in the world to do this, I just want to do it to the best of my ability.
I am hoping to do this in under 5 hours - I would be so happy with 4.30!
Thank you xx
My Name is Gary (Age 59/60)
Running History: During the early 1980's I was nagged into playing rugby ,by a fso called riend, as I was a bit of a lard bucket ( 16st.) and playing as second row prop seemed the best place for me. After a few months of playing rugby I did eventually pick-up an injury and couldn't walk without a stick for at least 2 months. When the time came where I could actually jog Ireally started to enjoy it and it helped me pack up smoking, my age then was about 27. After a few months of running my missus said she thought it was selfish of me to out running after getting home from work so I started to run to work and back, which was about 12miles a day. My first London was in 1982 and I finished in 3hrs. 38mins. After training for a further year my times were coming down and in 1985 I ran in 2hrs. 52mins. I have been under three hours eight times in the London and have run 16 London's.
Reason for training me is to see if I can do a good for age time when I'm sixty on the 2nd.Jan'2009.Have I still got what it takes!!
some great stories here
Good luck to all
Brief running history: I have been running since March of this year but had done two moonwalks before that. I started running using the run/walk method (run one minute/walk one minute) and now I can run for over one hour non-stop. I've completed three 10k races this year.
Reason why we should train you: My friend who was a keen runner died very suddenly from an aggressive cancer recently. I want to raise money for Marie Curie in his memory. He talked about running the marathon but never had the opportunity and I want to do it for him. I started this year with a resolution to run 10k and I want to start next year with a resolution to run the marathon for my friend.
Predicted marathon time: 5.5 hours
Name Lesley Hedley (age 48yrs)
Running History.
Before I had my knees operated on I was enjoying running purely for enjoyment and have never worried about setting myself a PB goal and have never finished a marathon in under 5hrs 30mins. I had gone up to just shy of 14 stone in weight and since I have been taking some special needs students to the gym to train for the Lincoln 10k next year I decided it was time to set myself a challenge. I have lost nearly a stone and have been going to the gym 4 times a week. I plan to hit the roads when I have lost another 1/2 stone or so to prevent injury to the knees and I amdetermined to finish London in a time of 4hrs 30 which I believe I can achieve. I have never been more determined to achieve this and it is working with the students who have a range of physical disabilities, including Autism, Haemoplegia,and loss of eyesight who are training for the 10k that have really inspired me.
Reasons Why I would Love to train with you
Training with you would give me the final incentive to achieve my target and I know that you would keep me on task with this challenge. I would love to complete this event in a good time before I am 50!!! (It's on my top 10 list of things to do). With your support and a structured training schedule throughout I know that I can achieve this and at the end of 26.2 miles be proud and content of the days efforts. I know I can do this in a time of 4.30hrs or less but need to guided to keep injury free and get the best performance possible.
Name: Brian Runciman
Brief running history:
2005: Got lardy, got worried, got fit.
2006: Got better, did half marathons and 10Ks.
2007: Moved house, lost initiative, had mini-stroke.
2008: Got painfully reacquainted with the road.
Reason why we should train you:
What a story of (not very) tragic circumstances being overcome! And, as a journalist, what (slightly) witty communications you would get from me. (If you don't believe me check out the witty, committed, almost athletic video podcast here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P-rqhPCajuI ). Also, when you hit your forties as hard as I have you have the combination of life experience and grit that responds well to training.
Predicted marathon time: 4 hours
Name: Mark Calway
Brief running history:
Age 1 - First steps
Age 2 - Starting running (approx.)
Age 3 to 11 - Ran around constantly (once ran round the school playground so many times I was sick. I recall making it to about a million laps)
Age 12 to 18 - Ran after footballs, girls and girls playing football. Did some cross country running with school, but my talent was never recognised (no I'm not bitter).
Age 18 to 22 - Barely moved a muscle training as a heavy metal fan required more head shaking than foot pounding
Age 23 to 25 - Ran with the Hash House Harriers (I formed the smallest Hash in the world which ran in Stockholm with just 10 people)
Age 25 to 30 - Met my wife who had me pushed in proper running and in 5 years provided me with 4 children to run round after. Found my first achievement in life with a medal for completing a half marathon. Surely it couldn't be that easy? So then spent may weekends running round cities, fields, beaches and wherever my trainers would go. Completed the London Marathon in 1997 for the first time and beat Steve Cram over the first 200m. In 1998 completed the London Marathon for the second time and then did 3 half marathons in the following 4 weeks. In 1999 completed the London marathon with barely any training. In 2000 I got a cold so bad two days before I considered pulling out, on the day before I still had the cold and there was a hint of snow, I decided to pull out.
Age 31 to 37 - Kids taken over everything in my life, trainings and medal put on display.
Age 38 - Kids are older so the trainers are back out, running again in gym, across country and first 10k due in November! Woo hoo.
Reason why we should train you:
1. I won't die half way round (albeit I might slow up around Canary Wharf. I'll be looking at the tall buildings honest)
2. I would be fully committed (as in following the programme, not dragged off by people in white coats)
3. My typing is as good as my running
4. I travel most of the country so I could make a point to run in as many places as possible
Predicted marathon time:
4 hours normally or 6 hours dressed a tub of Flora Margarine
I am 32 years old mother of two. I first started to run in 2004 when i wanted to do something special in memory of my mother who died from Breast Cancer in 1995. I ran the FLM in April 2005 and achieved my goal together with my friend in 4 hrs. My friend, my running and training partner, left to do her PHD in Toronto earlier this year and I have been unable to train by myself since. Felling quite low without having a personal goal I feel that this will be a great opportunity for me to do something for others whilst training myself.
Reasons I would love to train with you is because I would feel 100% comitted and feel I would have goals that I could achieve with suppor from you all. I feel that I would work as part of the team and do that well. I really would like to set a goal for myslef and set a PB time of less that 3.5 hrs.
It would also be an achievemnet for my children to see their mother achieving her goal.
Hi Catherine
My name is Malcolm Muir and I'm 63 years old.
I have run London on 15 previous occasions, the last bein g in 2006, when sadly I had to pull out after 15 miles! This was very disappointing as I had successfully completed all the previous times.
I think the main reason I did not finish was not due to lack of training, but ignoring one of the basics of long distance running. It was nearly 10 miles before I took on any liquid, so as a result ended up somewaht dehydrated! What made this even more annoying is that I'd been running over 24 years at the time, so should have known better!
On top of that I didn't even take full advantage of hydrating before the race - all that free Lucozade too.
I would like the opportunity to put things right in 2009, and think the support offered by Lucozade Sport would be an invaluable addition to my own previous experience of running London.
NamePhill" Lil Fil" Minns
Breif Running History:
I have spent over 20 years in the army before being medically discharged. I class myself as being fit and healthy.
I have run the 2007 ( as Monty the duck) for charity in 5 hrs 30 mins
I have run the 2008 (as BuzzLightyear0 for charity in 3 hrs 30 mins
I have a place for the 2009 marathin and plan to break the world recod for the fastest Tv character.
I ahve a place in the silverstone 1/2 also.
Reasons why we should train you:
well I have overcome the military career ( operational tours) and I have coped well with the transition to cilivian life. The reason I would love to have you train me is soley that your proffesionalism and skills that you can offer me is second to none. I believe that you can give me the extra mile that I need to ensure that I can make the extra mile to break the world record and raise thousands for charity. Please help me help the charoty and break the world recvod. I have started training already and with your help will be able to run the perfect race. thank you. Predicted time: 3hrs ...
Name: Simon Lewis
Brief running history: Started running in 2002. Did the London marathon that year in 4:59. Tired again in 2003 and 2006 to break 4 hours but did 5:10 and 4:23 in spite of good training. Did New York in 2002 in 5:15 (a terrible run) but finally beat 4 hours in Edinburgh this year.
Reason why we should train you: I need help to "beat" the Flora London Marathon. I have run FLM three times before and each time I have had a terrible race. Either through incorrect training or going off too fast, bad nutrition or nerves (my biggest problem), I have had really unpleasant runs and whilst I have the medals in pride of place on my wall, I feel I have unfinished business with this race and I really want to conquer it. Other people have nothing but good things to say about London but all I have is negative thoughts and I want to banish them, run strong and finish on the Mall with a huge grin on my face.
Predicted marathon time: 3:45
Brief history
I started running 1 January this year by setting myself the goal of running a 5K and a 10K this year, I hit both those goals and I am now training towards running a half marathon in December. My times aren't going to win any competitions, but I feel that the only person I am competing with is myself in order to get my times down.
Why should you train me?
Well, I could go into the real hard luck story about how my partner has just left me with 3 kids and I need this to give me a definitive goal to work towards. But that's not true, because I am very good at working towards a particular goal. You should pick me because I am committed and hard working and would be interested in how my performance could improve with the right type of training. I have never run a marathon before, let alone the London marathon but have always sat there on the Sunday morning of the race watching the Grandstand coverage and wishing it was me. Well this year I want it to be me!!!
I am a soldier currently based abroad. I was acccepted once in 1998 for the Marathon but have not been accepted since as I have only been able to apply when I have not been away on operations. I think I can offer dedication to the last and would benefit massively from competing with the back up from your team.
My name is Steve Hinton. I am 55 and own a management consultancy company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
I’ve been running for 30 years. It keeps me (fairly) fit and, since a running club started in our village of Tickhill 3 years ago, it’s given me a wider social perspective too. In our first year as a proper club, I won the ballot for our guaranteed entry to the FLM for 2006. I felt really honoured, did every mile of my training schedule and then had food poisoning on the Friday night before the race. I still ran on the Sunday but had to visit every loo on the way round and was very disappointed in my time. This year I did the Edinburgh Marathon in 4:26 and wondered whether I would do another. However, when I reflected on it I realised that I still have some very live and current goals and they are to
- Do London properly!
- Reach my full potential – I know I can run a sub 4:00 time for the marathon and it would be so brilliant to do it in London
- Be an inspiration to others who may be thinking that 55 is time to slow down
- Put our club on the map
My predicted marathon time is 4:00. Other reasons for me receiving the elite package include
- I am comfortable using forums and blogs etc and through my profession I can write reasonably well
- I can take instruction well and know I would gain loads of benefit from the coaching and advice I would receive.Hi
I am Gary Price, aged 45 and I have been a runner all my life with varying degrees of commitment and enthusiasm over time. I have ran several half marathons (PB of 1 hr 18mins but more recently 1hr 27mins in last years Great North Run after cutting both legs whilst crawling into a pen near the front to give me a chance of breaking an hour and a half!)
I have twice trained for a marathon but got injured in the latter stages times and could not run - an experience many people seem to have had. I'd like to learn from that and share that with others. The first time this happened I organised a sponsored relay at work instead where 26 of my colleagues each ran a mile (whilst I cycled with them to motivate them!) and my sponsors were happy to still pay so I raised £3200 and we had a great time too.
I am now trying for a third time but from a lower base of running fitness so I am interested in how my running fitness returns and what is possible without getting injured. Previously I aimed to break 3 hours but I'd probably have to be a little less ambitious this time - say 3 and a half.
I'm used to blogging, sharing quirky and hopefully interesting observations that people can connect with and am looking forward to a good winters training. Elite training would be a fantastic and fascinating experience that I would love to share with your readers.
Name: Clare Lambert
Brief running history: I started running this year, and have run 2 x 10ks & recently completed the inaugral Royal Parks 1/2 marathon. Running has done wonders for me, I feel less stressed and much fitter this year than at any time over the past 3 years (I've been a regular gym bunny). It's replaced shopping as my new hobby (much to my husbands relief, as it's much cheaper!)
Reason why we should train you: Now that we're heading into winter I need something to motivate me to keep running on those dark, wet, windy and cold mornings. There's nothing like a looming deadline (or race) to get your out of bed, into those trainers, and pouding the streets. I missed out on a place in the ballot and I'd love the opportunity to run in the worlds most popular marathon, with all the training and support you're offering.
Predicted marathon time: Based on my previous race history I'd love to complete in 4 hours - with your help and training I might even beat this!
Name: Krys Williams (female)
Brief running history: Started running 5 years ago at the age of 50 after a lifetime of no involvement with any form of sport. I was never very fast, and needed walking breaks, but I did succeed in completing the Nottingham Half Marathon and the Great North Run in 2006. After that things went very pear-shaped and I have faced almost endless crises in my personal life since then, including major chest surgery in April of this year to remove some thyroid tissue that had wandered down there and grown to the size of a melon (in the words of my surgeon), an evil and still ongoing divorce, and massive worries about someone dear to me. I want to get back to running very much, but need motivation, a goal and lots of help. I believe that doing this would help me regain the energy and joy in life that vanished two years ago.
Reason why we should train you: (a) I cannot do this on my own (b) I hope that my experiences might inspire and give hope to others who are battling with worries, depression and a lack of belief in self.
Predicted marathon time: To complete the distance would be a major victory.
Hi
I;m Rick aged 43 and full time student, with a wife , a son 4 dogs and numerous other pets.
I have run 3 marathons(one every 11 years) with time from 4hrs to 7:26 (London2007, Tip do not use the charity laces unless well worn in, as mine stretched and caused major blisters from 12 miles on )
Why should i do the marathon. To be honest to get me fit, after suffering in the marathon in 2007 , i have lost all motivation and put on more pounds than i should. The prize would be the kick up the butt i need to get back into a good fitness routine and also make make 4 year old proud of his Dad.
My time expectation is around 5 hours ,as i will be starting from scratch but know once back into it will be hooked again, and then join the local harriers with my wife and carry on to beat my personal best and plan to complete an ultra marathon
Name
Beanie 1
Running History
I’m 28 and have been running off and on since uni. This year is the first year I’ve competed in races, entering the British London 10k in July (59:30) and Royal Parks Half Marathon (2:11). I have quite a demanding job which means I sometimes have to work late, and socialising is expected, therefore I need to be disciplined to fit running in around other commitments. I have to make the most of both days at the weekends to train, and am facing the prospect of some early rises mid-week during the dark winter months! In both the races I’ve taken part in this year I feel I’ve hugely underperformed my potential, messing up my training in the last 6 weeks and missing my target times by about 10 mins. People say I “look like a runner” (slim and athletic) and they expect me to be fast - but I’m not, and I’m fed up of underperforming their (and my!) expectations! Really feel I should be capable of 50 min 10k and 1:50 Half.
Reasons why you should train me
One day I would like to run the Jungfrau Marathon! This is a huge goal for me, and there will be lots of mini goals for me on the way, as I’ve not even run my first marathon yet! The first of which would be to complete a flat road marathon in a respectable time that would make the 6:30 cut-off time for the Jungfrau marathon a conceivable possibility. To reach my potential I really feel I will need the guidance of professional coaches, as shown by messing up my last 2 races. I would also like to demonstrate that you can achieve your potential even if you have other commitments in your work and social life! I entered the FLM ballot for 2009 but unfortunately didn’t get a place. Have since set my sights on Edinburgh, but would really love my first marathon to be in my home town. I live a couple of 100m from the FLM route and last year stood outside in the cold watching the race on Tower Bridge Road! I’m planning to use sections of the FLM course for some of my long training runs, as I can pretty much step out the door onto the course. I love to run around central London as I think it’s an amazingly beautiful city, and running is a great way to see the sights. I call them my “sight-seeing runs” and the novelty of running past Tate Modern, Battersea Power Station, Big Ben, Canary Wharf etc still hasn’t worn off! Running from sight to sight certainly helps when the going gets tough.
Predicted Finish time
With my own training - 4:20
With RW training - sub 4 hours
Brief Running History : Been running on and off for about 15 years but never with any real training or structure but for some reason seem to have the ability to run long distances at a decent pace. I have competed in about 10 'events', from 5k's, to 10k's to 10 milers, the latest being the Great South Run which i finished in 1 hr 21 mins. Every time I do an event, I hit a PB, I am ultra competitive so the thrill of the race spurs me on and I love it!!
I would love to do a marathon but due to my competitiveness I would not want to do it without full training and dedication to get the best possible time, ideally anything between 3 hrs 30 and 3 hrs 45 which I realise will force me to really work hard to achieve this target.
I am 45 years of age but fitter now than I was at 25 years of age and fully ready to take my running to the next level and in doing so, inspire others to do the same.
For my job I am a communications Director for a sports team so well used to writing up stories, blogging during race events and sharing the emotions of sport with others.
Please pick me and I will make sure I deliver and help you to inspire others!!
Lesliex
Name: Jovi Runner (age 41)
Brief running history:
Although I have only been distance running for 3 years I used to be quite a serious sprinter (200m) in my youth. I restarted running after a 20 year gap in May 2005 with the aim of running the 2005 Great North Run, which I went on to complete in a time of 2hrs 24minutes. I joined Harrogate Harriers in October 2005 and have gone on to get my half marathon personal best down to 1 hour 40 minutes. My competitive streak has re-emerged and I now enter a number of races each year. I completed my first marathon (FLM08) in 4:06. My running goals for 2008-09 are a sub 44minute 10K, sub 1hr40 half and to complete a marathon in sub 3:45
Reason why we should train you:
In 2000, aged 32, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. On the day of the 2009 London Marathon it will be almost 9 years to the day from my initial diagnosis and I am pleased to continue to be free from any further illness. Running the marathon is my way of showing that cancer is not a death sentence but can be the spark that triggers of a whole new part of your life and you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. II believe training with RW will give me the boost I need to get my marathon time to sub 3:45.
Predicted marathon time: Sub 3.45. (I am aiming for a 2010 good for age place - my half marathon PB of 1:40 suggests this should be achievable !)
Name: Corinne Ellison
Brief running History: I started running on the treadmill in 2006, managing only ten minutes on the treadmill initially. I ran the London Marathon in 2007 for the Institute of Cancer Research for my auntie and partner's father, both of whom were ill at the time with cancer. The running was secondary to raising money for charity and raising awareness of cancer research. However, I caught the running bug and was determined to do well on the day. Unfortunately. the tube I caught to the start line broke down on the morning of the marathon hence I missed the start, lost my partner Damon and cried with disappointment rather than happiness when I completed the course in 6:19 instead of my estimated 5 hours. I since have continued to run, completed one half marathon and run 2-3 times a week, mainly at the gym.
Reasons to train me: I'm a nurse and really struggle to fit training in around my shifts (mainly nights). I have plenty of motivation to go out running but falter when training independently, lack the ability to push myself to achieve a good time for my age and fitness!
Predicted marathon time: sub 5 hours would be my dream.
Name: Barry Tappenden (age 63)
Brief running history: Iv'e been running since I joined the RAF in 1961 mainly fitness training but have completed a couple of London Marathons would have done more but failed to get an entry. Always keen to do 5k,10k and half marathons raising money for military charities.
Reason why we should train you: I have been running for quite a long time raising money for the military charities but this year, 2009, I have formed, with the help of some dedicated people, a charity called Project 65. This charity was set up to run 65 miles, a mile for each year since D-Day (1944). The FLM would be a ideal spring board to advertise the June 2009 event. Many young men are coming back to UK with some herrendous injuries and as an ex-serviceman I just want to help them and to pass on the message that we do care about them.
Predicted marathon time: 5 hours as I will be running at the speed I have selected for the 65 mile ultra run.
BTW I am an opinion columnist in an international business paper and could use this experience to convey key learning experiences that could be applied to the boardroom. I am also a professional speaker and again could link this experience into my conference keynote speeches. Hopefully that would benefit all concerned.
I am also a keen dancer – French jive. But not sure what value that adds! It would be great to benefit from such expert tuition. As a marathon virgin it would be great to short circuit all the school boy mistakes that I am sure I am destined to make without your input. Predicted marathon time: 3:15 - 3:30.I have only ever wanted to run the London Marathon - for me there is no other. I began running as a means of getting fit in 2002 and increased my distances to half marathons which I have been achieving for the last 2-3 years.
I first entered London 3 years ago and have been turned down each year since then. I can't explain how disappointed I am.
I am a trier - I enter lots of local races and manage a steady 11 min miles for 99% of the time. I mix training in terms of road running with gym work but find working 40+ hours per week and enjoying time with my hubbie and 2 energetic dogs a juggling exercise.
I hope that you will pick me as if I am successful I will give it my all. I work on the principle that if other 'normal' people can achieve something I can - I even began skiing 2 years ago and am now obsessed with that after refusing to go each year for 15 years when my hubbie suggested an alternative holiday.
I have no sob story to offer - what you see is what you get but I am very committed, hard working and will try my best!!
I don't normally apply for these things, but I must admit it sounds like a pretty splendid magnolia prize so.......
Name: Coops
Brief running history: I run lots but mainly on a football pitch. However, my ex girlfriend is a very good runner. When we split up in 2004, I decided that for my own amusement it would be fooking great if I bought a pair of trainers and entered a half marathon, purely to beat her PB and really wind her up. It worked. Ever since then, I rarely run races due to football but since finding the forum for one of the 2 marathons I have done, I have been a daily pest on here ever since. And don't you lot know it.
Reason why we should train you: Because you know it makes sense. I feel that my diary/video diary will be informative and amusing, and by including some special secret footage, it will be even better viewing than Eldorado and that was wicked. It is an ambition on mine to run London, and this will give me the best chance to achieve my best possible time. I think it is a safe bet that I will stay on the forums to keep everyone up to speed!
Predicted marathon time: 3.30 - 3.45ish, possibly better if you make me stop eating chowmeins.
I have run 9 Marathons and now want (blessedly) to go for the decade. I am training for the Ministry, wow at 51 years old!, and recently have been elected as a Director of St Georges Crypt, Leeds as a UK recognised Charity for the homeless. Pick me to represent the spiritual aspect of the "work-my-backside-off" in training. Tell you what:; I find my faith out there on the cold dark evenings of the training!