Post 19: Redemption of a Fat Lad - November 2012

Well, where do I start? I think the fact that this is the 3rd attempt at writing this entry is testament to how surreal and difficult the whole experience was.

Lets start with the title of the blog (as I do enjoying coming up with the titles) as it was going to be called 'Return of a Fat Lad' and be this triumphant account of this amazing thing that I'd done. SPOILER ALERT! I didn't get to do all of that due to the race being cancelled late on the Friday evening. So 'Redemption of a Fat Lad' is what it's become, but more on that later...

So, on Friday morning the tour operator I had booked with organised a 'light' run which would also include a bit of sightseeing. I was originally worried what their definition of 'light' was but I decided to go as it was part of the experience. The run itself was fine and the people I was with (about 20 or so) were all very nice. Most of them were surprised when they learnt that not only was this my first marathon but I'd never actually done an organised run before.

It was when we got to Central Park only to see that we still were not allowed in due to the devastation  that it first hit home just how serious the Hurricane had been. We ran up the left hand side of Central Park so we could see the finish line. The gantry, crowd barriers, temporary stands were all up and the television companies were setting up, so at that stage it was definitely still going ahead and there was no thoughts that it might be cancelled. I have to say, running round NYC was cool and really got me excited about the marathon itself.

That afternoon I went to the expo and got my running number. I really enjoyed being there, looking at all the merchandise and collecting my bag and running number! Walking back from the expo to my hotel I was so up for it, I couldn't believe after the week I'd had I was finally going to do it. It wasn't until I was back at my hotel and having already packed my bag for Sunday, and pinned my running number on my top, that I started to hear the rumours that it might be cancelled. After about 30mins of frantically checking Twitter and news feeds that it was officially confirmed.

My first reaction was that I couldn't believe that after everything that had happened this was how it was going to end. 18 months in the making and this is how it ends. The decision to cancel it was absolutely the right one and every other runner that I spoke to agreed. It was just the timing of it and how it was made that people had an issue with. Looking back, the remaining days I spent in New York it hadn't really sunk in and it was only when I came to packing the running top in the suitcase, having not worn it, that I hit me. It was tough, really tough.

Although I was looking forward to seeing everyone, coming home having not done it was hard. It wasn't until I'd spoken to Katie about it all that we discussed the possibility of doing it next year that i began to felt better. Immediately it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders and it already felt like the right decision. It also means all the people that sponsored me can just roll that over to next year, which means a lot to me as I am so grateful for their support.

So, it all starts again. Only this time I can do all the things I'd wished (and probably should) had done the first time. Redemption....

Cheers,
Rich

Post 18: For Brownie - October 2012

Right, back when I originally decided to do the New York Marathon, and consequently write a blog, this was always going to be the most significant entry. Until Monday morning it was going to be filled with stories how I was finally ready to do this huge challenge I'd set myself and thanking people for all there support. That is still the case, however, Hurricane Sandy and all the chaos and uncertainly it has caused over the past 72 hours means there is an additional element and 'twist' (pardon the pun!) to the story. So here goes...

Firstly, let me set the scene of where I am writing this. I am on my flight to New York, currently flying over the west coast of Canada and needless to say will be uploading it later when I land and locate a WiFi hotspot. It made me think of the other places I have found myself writing entries for this blog and most notably when I was in Mumbai a year ago. Wow, that seems a long time ago!

Anyway, on with the story...

On Sunday I met up with Dan, who is the guy I've been put in contact with through my mate Toby. It was great chatting through everything with him, where we could meet up and what we could do in the time we have whilst we are there. Having discussed all that and shared our tales of the times we've been to NYC before (shout out to Ging here, the infamous bag incident at Macey's and his uncle that probably never forgave us - but that's another story) I left feeling for the first time ready and truly excited about going. Then Hurricane Sandy hit...

Originally I wasn't that concerned and thought it probably won't be that bad and it would have all been sorted by the time I fly out. However, as more and more people asked me about it and I followed the story on the news I realised just how serious it was. At this point I was still trying to be positive but the tipping point came when I was asked to speak live on BBC H&W drive time show about it. Added to that the increasing about people that were telling me 'there is no way it's going to happen' my once positive attitude to it all was starting to waver.

It put me in a difficult position as I still had to believe it was going ahead despite all the news coverage and amount of comments I was now receiving. If I wasn't registered to take part in the marathon I probably would have shared that opinion, but I needed to keep telling myself I was going as I still had a lot to do (packing, changing money etc...). The whole reason as to why I was doing all this in the first place was now starting to weigh very heavy and I couldn't believe it could be coming to this, having been planning it for 18 months. It did at one point lead me down the path of thinking if it was to be cancelled I would still go out and be a volunteer helping with the clean up as I was determined to do something in Jo's memory.

It was only when I went to sleep last night (Wednesday 31st Oct) that I finally knew I would definitely be getting on the plane, as up to that point flights had been grounded in and out of JFK airport. However, I still didn't 100% know if the marathon would be going ahead. I had a good idea but was still difficult to get your head round. Thankfully everything now seems to back on track. Some of the other events leading up to the marathon, like the opening ceremony and 5km run in Central Park, have been cancelled and I've been told the transport plans to get everyone to the start line may be different. To be honest, I'm just glad it's going ahead and I still get to do this for Jo and in aid of The Joanna Brown Trust.

It has also been difficult and stressful for my wife Katie and my mum. I'd like to take this opportunity to simultaneously thank and apologies to them for supporting me right from the start. I know they are worried about me. There are some many reason and motivations for me to think about when I am doing the race and I think I'll need them. As although I keep saying I know it's going to be difficult I think I don't / can't comprehend just how hard it will be. Obviously I will be thinking of Jo but also my best friend Mark and his family are going through some really difficult times at the moment so will also be thinking of them. The thought of being able to phone my mum and Katie at the end to say I have done it, that I have done it for Brownie, makes me cry (sorry to get all emotional on you!). The race as a whole has taken a different complexion due to Hurricane  Sandy, so imagine it will be a very emotional, special occasional that I feel very lucky to be apart of.

Well I think I best go, oh but before I do, I went to see the new James Bond film a few days ago (I thought it was very good if anyone is interested) so I only feel it right to end this blog with the following....

Richard Brown will return in 'Return of a Fat Lad'.