2nd November 2025
C’est toujours la meme histoire. Every year since 2012 I have entered the Marlow Half Marathon. It is held near to Guy Fawkes Day and this year the rain stopped and the sun shone the whole way. The race is through gently undulating hills on tarmacked countryside lanes overhung with autumnal leaves and giving some great views.
Marlow is the race to kick me back into action after a summer of sailing. I do take my trainers on the boat but never seem to use them. When I get safely into a port or get the anchor down, opening a beer seems the best thing to do. Sailing is probably quite good for flexibility, hanging on to those grab rails and wedging yourself in the cockpit all helps. It is good for strength too, especially as I have no anchor winch, but it’s pretty useless for cardio. That’s where my three favourite half marathons kick in. By doing them every year I can study the results to try to avoid the inevitable gentle downward spiral towards time disqualification.
Every year I need to have my excuses ready. This year a troublesome ankle/heel has been plaguing me. Weirdly it doesn’t seem to hurt when I run, only when I walk. I suppose I could just run everywhere like a child but that might lead to me getting arrested. Some say I must change my walking shoes. Before setting off, I was worried that the pain would kick in and I would hobble over the finish line but luckily it was fine, but hurts like hell now.
I was aiming for 2 hours 20 minutes and finished 2 hours 17 minutes 34 seconds which I was well pleased with. It was my fastest time in four years. If I ran 8 seconds faster I would have come 4th in my age group, that was a bit annoying as I could probably have pulled that off if I had known. Next year I’ll need to slip-stream him and nab him at the finish line!
My nephew whizzed around in 1 hour 45 minutes irritatingly thrashing my all-time personal best time.
As always a massive thanks to the team behind the brilliantly organised event and to my sister for providing a lovely three course Sunday lunch.
Also I need to thank Ryan and everyone at Military Outdoor Fitness on Blackheath for helping to keep me in shape.
Yes, hopefully I will be back!
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