Last month, we asked London marathon entrants to tell us why they deserved a personal trainer to get them in shape for the big day. We were inundated with entries and, after careful consideration, picked two deserving winners. Thank you to everyone who applied, and apologies to all those who were unsuccessful.
It’s time to meet our two Project Marathon runners.
The beginner: Carol Williamson
About Carol
I’m a 32-year-old lawyer living in London. I started running about a year ago to try to get fit and lose weight (having failed in both endeavours in time for my 30th birthday). Having laboured my way through a half marathon last September, I was unexpectedly offered a place in the London marathon and decided to give it a go. The general reaction of anyone I have told so far has been unflattering amazement, which is not good. Hopefully with Sam Murphy’s help I can get round in a halfway respectable time.
Most looking forward to: Losing this stubborn last stone!
Least looking forward to: Giving up Saturday nights on the lash ahead of long training runs on Sunday
Her winning entry
“It is 8am on a Sunday. And dark. I am milling around with the other maniacs who have decided a five-mile run is a good way to start their day of rest. Suddenly last night’s bottle of merlot is looking distinctly ill advised. I perk up when I see the coach from the running club is rather good-looking and excitingly Lycra-clad. The ancient guy next to me (surely he can’t be running?) tells me said coach apparently regularly knocks off triathlons before most of us have got out of bed in the morning.
And then we are off. I wave The Geriatric goodbye and surge ahead in hot pursuit of Triathalon Man. This is easy, I think. I am totally down with this running lark – no problem. After three miles I am in the middle of the pack, my breathing resembles that of a nuisance caller, and The Geriatric serenely plods past. By the time we reach the hill for home I am wheezing like an asthmatic, puce in the face and last night’s mascara has combined with sweat to make me resemble a rougher looking version of Alice Cooper. Life can’t get any worse.
Then I see Triathalon Man at the top of the hill, bellowing encouragement. Oh God.”
The above was a while ago now, so I am past the stage of complete collapse when I get back from a run, but could really do with some training tips especially on speed work. I am quietly aiming for sub-4.30 hours.
The improver: Matthew Kurton
About Matt
I’m 28, I work for Oxfam and I started running when I was living in Australia four years ago. I now live in Oxford and, all being well, this will be my fourth marathon. That may come as a surprise to anyone who knew me at university, when I was rather heavier than I am now and a very big fan of sitting down.
My goal was initially to run London in sub-3.30 hours, but a niggling groin strain means that’s starting to look less likely (I realise it’s somewhat unorthodox to mention your groin in an introduction, but I’m told things work differently on the internet, so hopefully it’s OK). I’ve wanted to run London for years, and managed to get in through the ballot this year – the third time I’ve applied. I’m very excited about getting advice from a real expert. I’ve also entered the London triathlon this year, but for the moment it’s all about the marathon.
His winning entry
Having run marathons in Paris, Berlin and, er, Stratford-upon-Avon, I’ve finally managed to get a place in London. Will the weather be as perfect as it was in Germany? Probably not. Will I find an orange that tastes better than the one I picked up after 22 miles in France? Non. Will the last five miles be run along a disused railway track like they were in Stratford? Lord, I hope not. And – here’s the important one – am I still more excited than I’ve ever been about a race before? Abso-ruddy-lutely.
London’s the big one, and I’m already counting down the days. Yes, I’ve started training. Actually I never really stop training. I ran 3.44 in Berlin and want to go sub-3.30 this time round. Managed a 1.33 half before Christmas so there’s reason for hope. Choose me for personal training and who knows – maybe this time next year I’ll be quicker than the woman who was on Supersize vs Superskinny a few days ago. Please choose me!
We need your help
Carol and Matt will be blogging about their progress every week. Each week, we’ll focus on a different topic, get some top tips from personal trainer Sam Murphy, and ask you to share the highs and lows of training for such a gruelling event.
So, we want to know what topics you’d like to talk about. Anything from injury prevention to the best training tunes to load up your iPod; from nutrition advice to how to stop the marathon taking over your life … it’s up to you. Let us know in the comment sections below what you’d like to read and talk about in the coming weeks.
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