Less than twelve weeks to the big day and counting. You know how Christmas creeps up on you every year and then suddenly it's here? Well, marathon day feels ominously similar. For such a long time it was just a dim and distant dream on the horizon. Now however, reality has well and truly kicked in. I've got twelve weeks to try and convince my body that it can run the 26.2 miles of the most popular marathon course in the world. Just as daunting is the fact that in the same time am I faced with trying to raise £2,000 for my chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.
In an attempt to kick start the fund raising I contacted my local paper to see if they might run a story, my story. For anyone who hasn't come across my blogs before, I suffered from an eating disorder for some twenty years, during which time I became a weak, friendless, recluse. My wake-up call came after suffering pneumonia and a collapsed lung in 2008. Thank goodness I am now 99.9% back to full health. I have been given a second chance in life and I don't intend to waste it.
The paper ran the aforementioned story (front page job and all!).
Within 24 hours I was staggered to receive a call from the paper to hear that a couple of people having seen the article, were keen to sponsor me. These were people that I had never met before but, were willing to pick up the phone and call the paper to find out how they could support me. I spoke to the individuals and was staggered that they found my story somehow inspirational. This was incredibly humbling because I had always thought that I had simply wasted a large part of my life.
One particular pensioner said that she had often seen me over the years and wondered what could be wrong. "I didn't know if you had Cancer or Aids or something like that", she told me. "I think it's amazing what you are doing".
Over the past few days I have been reflecting just how incredible human beings really are. On one hand we see suicide bombers willing to throw themselves into crowds ending their own lives and those of innocent others, whilst at the same time, people of the same species can display incredible courage and strength (take a look at Haiti), and will give whatever they have to help their fellow human beings.
OK, there are some really nasty people about but, my marathon experience has without doubt driven home that there are a lot more really genuine, kind-hearted and truly inspirational characters out there. One must appreciate that money is still pretty tight for many people but, that hasn't stopped them wishing me well for London and providing real encouragement.
I went to see 'my pensioner' on Thursday evening. I spent an hour and a half listening to her stories of days gone by and why she wanted to make a donation to Macmillan. Somehow, my story had cheered her and she genuinely wanted me to succeed - for my sake, not for anyone else.
I have no doubt that when the legs are no longer communicating with the brain on the 25th April and the finish line still seems like hundreds of miles away, I will draw upon these words of support and encouragement . Knowing that every step raises a bit more money is a huge motivation.
If you would like to be a part of my journey please donate whatever you can. Every pound goes towards making a real difference to real people. People like you and me.
If you would like to support Ian click here
Ian Sockett
