31/12/21 – And Now the End is Near…

As 2021 finally draws to a close, we thought we’d update you with the final totals for our 2020/1 London Marathon sponsorship drive, together with some thoughts about our future running plans.

Thanks to your amazing support of our efforts we managed to raise a grand total of £5607 split between our two charities, Alzheimers Research UK and Bowel Cancer UK. Your love and generosity will stay will us forever and appreciate you all so much.

One of the highlights of our fundraising was the quiz night we held a fortnight out from the race, which included a Charity Raffle. The stunning array of prizes meant we were able to raise over £500 on the night. Huge thanks to all the local businesses and individuals who donated a prize: Parc Franglais (Deli Hamper), Tesco Elmers End (Voucher), Wickham Studios (Hair Products), Phillipa’s Nails (Gel Nails Voucher), Lugana (Voucher), Fox Sports & Marc Ollington (signed vintage HSV Hamburg Football shirt), Lucy Lambert’s Cakes (Cupcake basket), Rose Day (Vintage Whisky), Carter USM/The Pop Group (T-Shirt) plus lots of other booze and chocs. There was even a booby prize of a signed copy of my Book – Don’t Mention the ‘Spor!

The Quiz was won by Jane Vigus, Denise and Andy Brander. Denise and Andy had a particularly good night, as they were drawn first in the raffle and chose the Deli hamper as their prize.

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We would also like to thank Pete Palmer and Phil English from Beckenham Town FC for use of the venue and bar service, together with John + Sheila Gibson and Rose Day for their help with the food.

So, what have we been up to running-wise since the Marathon? Well, not an awful lot if truth be told. Immediately after the Marathon we flew out to Portugal on holiday. Just as the physio predicted, Sue has had a lot of post-race issues with her injury and is only now beginning to see the light at the end of that particular tunnel. She has managed to run at parkrun most weekends, although once on the walk down to the start at South Norwood, she had to turn around at go home as her leg was just too painful to even walk the distance. She is very much hoping that in early 2022, she can shake off the injury and other health issues that have been affecting her performance. She is keen to get back to posting the PB times she was achieving in Spring and Summer of 2021.

I’ve been keeping on with a 5k every weekend (whether at parkrun on not) and keeping my mile-a-day streak going (now 1606 days, almost four and half years). I’m just three different parkrun events away from joining the Cowell Club (100 different events) and Sue is not too far behind me. Aside from that, I’ve been doing just one or two 5ks in the week. It’s fair to say, my mileage has tailed off considerably since London, despite being injury-free.

We are both suffering from an extended bout of Marathon comedown, Sue’s is mainly due to her injury, but I can’t seem to get motivated for any race, other than parkrun – which is, as I’m sure you know by now, a run not a race! For the first time for many years, there are absolutely no races on the horizon for either of us. Even our traditonal home fixture of the Beckenham 10K held on Remembrance Day didn’t happen as we were both away.

So right now I really don’t know where our running journey is going to take us next. It may be a while before we decide, so for now, thank you once more for your continued support and sponsorship. We both wish you the Happiest and Healthiest of New Year’s.

May 2022 be the year when we all finally shake off the shackles of COVID.

Stay safe everyone.

Neil & Sue xxx