Well readers, it’s not far off now, only a month to go until I find myself in Birkenhead Park on the starting line of this year’s RunLiverpool Marathon.
The time has flown since I started my Marathon diary back in February, and it’s been quite a journey.
I last ran a marathon back in 2002, and whilst I keep myself fit and active, I didn’t quite realise the challenge that I was about to take on.
My biggest obstacle oddly though wasn’t the physical side of things, Richard, the Marathon Training Co-ordinator kept all of that side in check, it was quite simply, time – or rather the lack of it!
I’ve always thought I was pretty adept at balancing my work-life, my home-life, being a mum, keeping in touch with friends, seeing the family; you know, all the usual stuff – it’s all a massive juggling act for us all. But factor in training for a long-distance race and things get really interesting!
Needless to say it’s been hard training when the head said yes, but the body said no – but I’ve persevered and it’s paid off. I feel way more confident about talking on the distance from those rainy mornings running round the Park – but I’m certainly not glib about it. I even took my trainers on holiday and squeezed in a run at 6.00am in Mallorca with fellow Marathon ambassador Craig Phillips!
I know that the marathon will be a test but I feel I’m doing it for all the right reasons, especially for the memory of my lovely Mum, and raising money for Diabetes UK – my daughter Mya has spurred me on also, knowing that I am ‘doing it for Nanny Cally.’
In fact my friends and family have been right behind me since day one and we’re all taking part in the Fab Four Mile Fun Run, the day before the Marathon itself. It’s a family warm-up jog in Sefton Park, on Saturday October 8, partly designed for us marathon runners to stretch our legs before the big day, but it’s mainly about spending some time with loved ones – gently jogging those pre-race nerves away together! You don’t have to be a marathon runner to take part in Fab Four Miler – anyone can join in, and it’s dead easy to enter via the main RunLiverpool Marathon website.
Well this is my last pre-marathon diary entry nearly complete. Thanks to all the kind messages of support and interest over the last few months – I’ll be back in October to tell you what it was like.
Don’t forget to come out and cheer us all on, on October 9, (there’s still places available on my cheerleading classes for young people aged 6-16, running up to the event, details below) – it makes it so much more worthwhile and exciting - it’s great knowing that your city is behind you every step of the way!
Suzanne Collins is an ambassador for the RunLiverpool Marathon, which takes place in the city region on October 9. Charity places are still available to runners. To register your place and also sign up for the Fab Four Mile Fun Run, please visit www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.ukor call 0151 236 8432. If you would like to sponsor Suzanne, please visit www.justgiving.com/suzanne-collins0and for more information on Suzanne’s Cheerleading classes please call 0151 653 3150.