The One Thing......

So, here we are my friends.....two races down, almost four stones down, and at that point where it could all fall apart. I was about to say 'all be for nothing'; that wouldn't be true - what I have done is of course really something - but getting a place on the London Marathon now looms ever larger on the horizon as the one thing which can prevent me from achieving the ultimate goal. Of course there are injuries, which can be unpredictable; but if I am sensible the only thing that can stop me from crossing the start - and hopefully finish - line darn sarf is not being allowed to!

As you know, being turned down by the British Heart Foundation took the wind well and truly out of my sails; add to that the statistics that only one in seven applicants get a place on the general ballot meant pessimism ruled the roost. I knew I had to get my arse in gear and start applying to other charities, but such was my negativity it was a real struggle. You remember what I have said previously about daring to try? Well, in this instance I was extremely reluctant to do just that. It is laughable when the the fear of failing in my attempt of gaining a race place (which would of course be brilliant, making it an ace race place!) stops me attempting, thus guaranteeing failure. Despite the obvious illogic, that is exactly how I felt.

With the ballot draw imminent (first half of October) I knew that time was running out for me to get applying; so I dragged my fingers to the keyboard, first to Leukaemia Research, then to Kidney Research. The one thing I was determined not to do was be crass and apply to every single charity I could find who were offering places. I wanted to select them because they meant something to me (and in any case the application process always asks you 'why do you want to run for our charity?' I don't think 'because I want to run the London Marathon' is the correct response, do you?!). Leukaemia Research was selected as in 1985 my brother was diagnosed with the illness, and thanks to the incredible dedication of staff and groundbreaking research made in treatment he has been clear now for over two decades and is now the proud natural father of two fantastic children. Kidney Research was in tribute to a lovely lady called Lesley Valentine who whilst playing alongside me for our Badminton league team was also unbeknownst to me undergoing dialysis. She has since had her long awaited kidney transplant and is now looking and playing better than ever! What a woman!!

After that the links between charities and myself were getting more and more tenuous; that was until Monday night (last week) when I had a conversation with my sister about our Mum. She is a quite amazing and still beautiful woman in her early 80's with rarely a bad word to say about anyone. Definitely a Mum to both love and be proud of. Since Dad died over eight years ago she has been rattling around on her own in a house which used to comfortably accommodate a family of eight. With all of us (my siblings and me) well and truly flown the coop and working during the week, it only really leaves weekends available to spend time with her; this lack of company during the week has been a constant worry for me. Being stuck at home for five days without a solid person to talk to can't be good for anyone.

Anyway, back to the telephone conversation. Brother Dom (not a monk! my brother, called Dom) has been banging on for quite a while about contacting AGE UK to see what they can do to help. Doing so proved to be a masterstroke. In that one phone call with my sister I had my eyes well and truly opened about what this organisation can do. They are experts on Mums situation, and given that situation they are experts on what help she needs. They came on board with suggestions of practical help such as an extra handrail up the stairs, or help getting about the house; but most importantly in my opinion they can offer help with Mum's emotional well being; offering confidence-building sessions, opportunities to go out and mix with people of similar age, or even just someone who can come round a couple of times a week and spend some time with her (if the latter is all that ends up happening, it's still brilliant). Let's be honest here, I am not well studied in geriatrics. I flatter myself that my instinct leads me to do the right thing more often than not, but it is an immense source of comfort to know that we have now got a source of professional advice and assistance to make Mums remaining years - may they be many! - with us as happy as possible.

It took a while for it to sink in..........AGE UK.........charity.........helping my Mum........me.......looking
for a charity to run for......but it got there eventually. I filled out my application at about 7:45am, and by 4:50pm I had a phone call......

"Is that Mr. Blaydon? Hi, it's Helen Parsons calling from AGE UK"

"Blimey, you don't waste any time; I only applied this morning!"

"Well we don't like to hang around. Have you got a few minutes to answer a couple of questions about your application?"

"Of course, fire away"

(ensued chit chat about what you already know; race history, my story, Mums story, how I intend to raise money)

"That's brilliant!! Well I'm the coordinator for our runners in the London Marathon so please feel free to call me if you have any questions at all; we want to give our runners every bit of support. We send out packs with advice on fundraising and training, plus we have an experienced marathon runner available if you require any 1-to-1 assistance. On the day itself we have lots of cheerpoints with spotters looking out for runners wearing our running tops so you'll have no shortage of supporters on the big day itsel............."

"Helen, I'm really sorry to interrupt you, but before you go any deeper into the sell of what you can do; could I just say that you are making it sound like I already have a place with you?"

"Yeah, you noticed that did you?!!!"

"Does that mean what I think it means?!!!!"

"In truth Adrian, you have a great story, great determination and a great reason to run for AGE UK; we would be delighted to have you run with us."

"Oh my God....you have made my, week, month and you stand a pretty good chance of making my year aswell! I accept!"

So there we are, I'm on, I'm in! As I sit here, I can hardly believe that I might actually do this. The obstacles blocking me from my ultimate goal are slowly being removed (bulldozed, destroyed; call it what you will); so much so that I can now actually see it. I know there is a lot that can happen in the next six months before April 20th (date for the diaries) but when I think about not only crossing that line, but doing it for such a worthy and personally-relevant cause it brings more of a smile to my face and tear to my eye than ever before. I wonder sometimes whether there is something bigger at work; it almost seems too perfect to run for the British Heart Foundation in memory of my Dad for the first two runs, and the last - and biggest - is for Mum. I ask you.....HOW GOOD IS THAT?!!!

(by the way, I needn't have got my knickers in a twist about getting a place; although I didn't get in through the ballot system both Kidney Research and Leukaemia Research offered me places too!)

So now it only remains to say one thing.....

Let's do this.