My Virtual London Marathon Walk - October 2022!

So 4 weeks on from my accident up the hills I am gradually getting back to strength with my ankle. Fortunately, it wasn't a bad break and is healing nicely. My goal was just to make it to Keswick in June and I am happy to say that I feel like that is totally going to happen. I might not be able to go up all the hills I had planned but getting there and doing low-level walks will still be amazing. 

 In October Hazel and Yvonne (my wedding support crew aka bridesmaids) and I are going to walk the Virtual London Marathon (in Edinburgh) on the 2 October and I am going to do it to raise money for The Haemophilia Society. Some of you will know that Alistair had Christmas disease (which is a form of Haemophilia) and our lives were pretty much centred around making sure Ali had a full life without injuring himself (and being a mountain biker meant that wasn't always easy!). 

 I was just remarking to someone the other day that it is odd that I no longer have haemophilia in my life on a daily basis, however, our wonderful daughter Rhona is a carrier which means that she has her own trials with haemophilia and any children she may have (should she choose to have children) might well have to deal with haemophilia. 

 https://haemophilia.org.uk 

 I want to make sure that important research into treatments continues to be funded which will make the lives of people with haemophilia going forward easier. When Alistair was 2 years old he bit his tongue and at that point, his parents discovered that he had haemophilia. At that point, treatment meant a blood transfusion whereas latterly Alistair could administer his Factor 9 himself. There is also a wonderful tablet called Transexaminic Acid (TA) which can be taken orally to ensure quick clotting of small bleeds.  

I still continue to be a member of the Haemophilia Society to ensure I can support Rhona with her future as I know Alistair would have wanted me to. Alistair was very lucky to have good medical people around him who would put him back together when he broke himself! Usually on a mountain bike, coming down sideways!! 

 This challenge was planned before I broke my ankle, so currently I am just trying to build back strength before my official training starts (in a few weeks). I am looking forward to doing the training, it will be at a slightly different pace than my normal running marathon but no less physical. After all, a mile is a mile. Hazel and Yvonne have agreed to join me in my latest craziness. 

As Hazel remarked "it is the first wedding invite I have ever had where I have to do a marathon as part of it" What can I say? You know me!

The route we plan to take will involve leaving from Penicuik, over the Pentland hills and then into Edinburgh passing many of Edinburgh's landmarks Murrayfield, the Castle, Grey Friar's Bobby, the Royal Mile finishing at the Parliament passing Holyrood Palace. 

The London Marathon passes Buckingham Palace and ends up halfway down the Mall, so this will be our version of the London Marathon. 

 If you would like to join me on my journey, I am going to blog regularly to track my training. I am sure there will be a lot of laughs and moans along the way. 

 I will also post a JustGiving page soon if you would like to donate to The Haemophilia Society. 

 don't worry, be happy. 

 https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/virtual-marathon