Having missed out on a Targer 26.2 place yesterday I humbly submit my pitch for a place on the forum 6. If you are one of the 2 people who read my 26.2 vote for me thread then I apologise for shamelessly recycling some of the material from there.
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I’m a Scottish born rugby player, living in England with a Welsh wife and two children of confused nationality.
I started running about 5 years ago partly to keep fit for rugby but mainly because my wife started and I was scared she’d be fitter than me. Sad but true. She has since got her own back by starting triathlons as she knows I can’t swim! This is not quite true, I’m happy with a gentle breaststroke but my chin needs to be at least two inches above the water or I get a panic attack. If the forum 6 training involves any water based activity beyond showering I might as well rule myself out now.
Anyway, I have been running for 5 years and coincidentally have completed 5 marathons. I was probably best prepared for my first one but tragically hit the wall at 20 miles and crawled home, like a child screaming for his mother, in 4hrs 10mins. My other races have been a picture of consistency - all completed within a minute of 3:59. This would have been great had I not been aiming for sub 3:45 on all four occasions.
My Half PB is 1:34 and my 10K is 42:05. Both were achieved earlier this year. My last 4 half marathons were all under 1:36 and have been getting progressively faster. Based on these times I'm convinced that I am capable of running a sub 3:30 marathon. I think I have the speed but my endurance is clearly pants.
My wife would accuse me of being stubborn. I'm taking this to mean determined and counting it as a strength. My biggest weakness is my ability to be swayed by anyone who says something with enough confidence to sound that they are right. I am, in essence, a real life version of the Paul Whitehouse character Indecisive Dave. No, I'm not, yes I am. As long as I only have one mentor I'll be fine and will follow what they say to the letter - throw two in the mix and I'm stuffed.
I am still in shock from not making the Asics 5 this year. I'd bribed every member of the RW/Asics team and they stitched me up at the last minute. I would take legal action but as my activities were less than above board I'm going to have to just take it on the chin.
Winning a place on the forum six would help to rebuild the dream that was so painfully shattered all those hours ago. I applied for the competition for a good reason - I need help, badly.
PS. I have just booked myself in for the Great Welsh Marathon on 21st April.
Edited: 14/12/2012 at 10:34
