Yorkshire Warrior Girls

So Linda and her good friend Julia who would not describe themselves as runners apparently, but who have discovered running together over the last few years got this idea a few months ago, that for once and for one time only they'd run a marathon. So four months out they were training to run twice as far as they'd ever run. They got themselves a training schedule and stuck to it, all those long runs beyond what they'd done before, those nights after work in the dark miserableness of winter they somehow dragged themselves out to pound the pavements and today was the day.

So off to Blackpool ("the world capital of tat" Bill Bryson) for their challenge.
John and I arrived to provide support and encouragement for the 2nd half. We found a suitable pub, got their sports drinks and jelly babies ready at mile 12 (hard work this support lark - getting it wrong was unthinkable, we were nervous wrecks), we handed over and cheered them on. Not before seeing two Elvis's in what looked worryingly like a stag party gone wrong.

Then on to mile 18, a one mile walk for Jon and I and 6mile run for L and J. We cheered a mixture of happy delighted runners, and those for whom the whole thing was turning ugly, for the first time in my life I cheered someone in a Man Utd shirt. Along came our girls who were looking radiant as seen posing above.

So a 400 yard walk for John and I as we were feeling a bit weak by now, and needed a bacon butty and coffee, which we took a further 100yard to the 24 mile marker and waited. The girls arrive looking good but not feeling good and asked us to run the rest with them. It was tough having watched and cheered half the field at 3 places but we are good husbands and obliged, encouraged by the cheers and amazed looks as we ran fully clothed, coated and with rucksacks.

Seriously though it was an honour to cheer them on, to carry the drinks, to run in with them and let them take the tape. I've run a few marathons in my time and know how tough the training is on top of career demands, family demands and all the other things that demand our attention and energy, I know that its always easier and often more sensible to not to bother. Race day comes with it glory, but those miles from 19 to 26 are often brutal physically and mentally.

Jon and I get to celebrate our warrior girls, they get tosit down at the end and they get to wear their medals with pride.