Rocky II – The End

Well I did it.

I’m just waiting for a call from a member of the London 2012 Olympic Committee telling me my time of 5 hours 24 minutes is under the qualifying time to represent Team GB in four years time.

Joking aside, I did manage to beat my time of ten years ago, although that clearly wasn’t particularly impressive! It was tough, and almost impossible to get into any stride pattern.

I started at the back which was a huge mistake. Within 200 yards I was being held up by people already walking the course; it was like waiting in a queue to buy the upcoming Samsung Soul (U900).

When I spoke to others lining up on the day it was clear that I hadn’t put in the miles necessary to do a good time and I certainly hadn’t completed enough long distance running before the off.

Having said all that, I did it and I’m proud and privileged to have been able to run on behalf of Richard and Lauran McGowan; my short term pain is, I hope, Lauren’s, and people with this awful illness, long term gain!

It’s an emotional day for many reasons but to see and very clearly hear the crowd literally screaming for people to do well is an awesome feeling.

I did really slow down towards the end of the race and then the worst of my fears was realised: the same two bloody Rhinos came past me as they had done ten years before. You just want to sink to your knees – or trip them up… if only I could catch them. Third time lucky? No, I think not!

At this point, I would like to thank a few people without whose support I would not have been able to complete this monumental task. In no particular order they are as follows:

• My wife Lynne and our children Louise, Callum and Chloe
• Also our friends for listening to the endless woes about my aging decrepit legs; I love you all!
• To my PA Louise Munyard; quite simply, a rock and the real deal!
• To Anne-Sophie for being part of the Gala Dinner Charity event
• Cheil, The Lounge, Us3
• To all the kind and generous people who sponsored me along the way. (Although the final figure has yet to be announced, it’s already more than I could have hoped for… keep pledging!)
• To Carey McGregor and Steve “Basher” Bishop the pace makers and co-runners
• To the other guys who occasionally joined in on the lunchtime runs.
• To Samsung and President IS Kim and MS Kim
• To everyone in my team at work. You’re the best!
• To “T” for walking with me when I needed moral support over the final stages of the run
• To Jess, Jo, Damon and Brent for looking after my physiotherapy and massage needs, and there were many
• The list goes on and on, but finally to the whole McGowan family. I know Richard was so proud of his family and it can’t be easy for you right now, but at least your, son, daddy, brother, friend touched the heart of everyone he met and it’s Richard who asked me to run the marathon to help find a cure for Lauren and many others like her. I’m just proud that I was able to help this amazing charity.