"Whit's fur ye'll no go past ye."

It’s been a funny week, the time between the Lochaber marathon and the London Marathon. Lochaber was a marathon we had contemplated doing but if and only if we were mentally and physically ready for the challenge. The training through the winter had been going well but a combination of factors resulted in us deciding that Lochaber was not for us this year. It was the correct decision as we had so much on our plate especially has we had decided to become run leaders at the Speed of Light in the summer. However, it didn’t stop us wishing we were entered as Lochaber marathon day approached.

Just to emphasis the correctness of our decision, last week I started to notice that the problem with my ankle was getting worse, this was a strange injury. I seemed to be able to run freely but after running I was limping on my right ankle for a couple of hours. It didn’t stop me running Strathclyde parkrun on Saturday. I did, however, give my freedom run a miss which gave me the opportunity to partake of the pre-race banter much of which featured the marathons both London and Lochaber.

We were having a quiet weekend but made the mistake of tuning into the television coverage of the Virgin London Marathon. There is nothing surer to get you uttering those words – must enter the ballot for next year! The event was overshadowed by the tragic death of Claire Squires in the final stages of the marathon.  Although what happened next was proof if proof were needed of the power of social networks and television and indeed the nature the sport of running when her donation site went into overdrive – testament to potential of charity runners.

The marathon does remain the ultimate challenge and will always have an enormous pull for people. Make  no mistake, the runners that complete the distance deserve RESPECT, and are worth a donation to their favourite charity, we are sure we all know someone that is looking for a donation. Go on make their day!

Thanks to Ross Goodman for the photographs