My Journey to the Bournemouth Marathon Festival 2018

04/05/2019

Our next adventure

Andrew is raising money to help Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal

19/09/2018

Was a little bit blowy down the seafront yesterday as I completed one of my last long runs before I run the full marathon at the Bournemouth Marathon Festival in October 7th.

I love the challenges that come with training for a marathon. I have also transferred that to my personal and work life.

I have had a mantra that I have shared with many people over the years and I still feel strongly that it is true. ‘The only person who can stop you becoming the person you want to be is you’.

I never thought I would be able to run a mile let alone attempting to run 26.2 miles. When I was younger I played a lot of football and did a lot of cycling but as the years went by I got lazy and would rather go out clubbing than running.

As I’ve got older (over 30) I realised that I didn’t want to become lazy and have no energy. I decided that was it something had to change.

In February 2017 I was tipping the scales at JUST under 16 stones. I had let myself get comfortable in life and didn’t see what I was doing to myself. Something had to change. I looked at my diet and what exercise I was doing. (Bearing in mind I had completed a half marathon in 2015) how had I let this happen.

My daughter was just a few months old and I thought to myself I don’t want to be the dad who doesn’t play in the park or run down the seafront with their child. I had to do something.

My diet started and by the end of the summer I had lost 25 kgs (4 stone). I felt great. Full of energy and high on life. It was time to attempt the marathon.

Race day came and I was all hyped up, raring to go. I started off well I thought then realised I may have gone off to fast. Bournemouth is quite a hilly course and I was spending all my energy on the flat parts. At the 10 mile mark (on the beautiful Bournemouth east cliff) I felt a sharp pain in my left foot. I thought I could run it off.

My wife Nikita and daughter Skye met me at the mile 13 marker and I told them I was in pain and my wife said you got to stop before you do anymore damage. I said I’ll be ok and plodded off after a couple of cheeky jelly babies.

By the next time I saw them I could barely walk (mile 17) I was so upset. Again, Nikita advised me to stop and I refused. I felt I was letting so many people down. My chosen charity, my sponsors and myself. I was so upset.

I continued on with no one near me (at least that’s how it felt). I got up on to the west cliff and that’s when it got me. I’m not going to finish. 😭 I was at mile 19. I started feeling the worst pain I had felt in my foot. I started feeling nauseous. I made it back down on to the seafront but succumb at the mile 20 marker. I collapsed on to a bench and
Some of the course Marshall’s came and tended to me. They were fantastic ( funnily I knew them from the Hotel I work at the Marsham Court in Bournemouth as they came to the Hotel regularly).

They looked after me, consoled me and helped me get by seen by the on course medic. My phone had died and needed to contact my wife and they let me use one of their phones. My wife came and collected me and took me to the medical centre where I was assessed. Severed strained ligaments in my left foot.

I got home and just broke down. I was so upset. It had felt like I had let so many people down. I posted on Facebook about what had happened and I was truly overwhelmed by the love and support I got. I will never be able to explain how much it meant.

Luckily I had a great support network. Luckily for me I had already applied to run in the 2018 marathon and something new to focus on. I truly feel if I had not already applied I wouldn’t have. I was so down.

My experience taught me so much. Always follow your dreams. Only you can stop you. Never give up.

This year I’m running the marathon in memory of a lady who truly deserves to be called a legend, Jennie Deavin. Mrs D as she was known to many optimises the beliefs I now use daily. Not only an amazing boss but also a friend to so many of us that had the privilege to know her. I was blessed to have her in my life for 15 years. I shared so many of my greatest memories with Mrs D. Mrs D was always there for a chat or advice. Her door was always open.

I have chosen to run for Macmillan Caring Locally in her memory. A charity that does amazing work offering palliative care to the with cancer in Dorset and Hampshire. Macmillan Caring Locally are a local charity and not affiliated with Macmillan Cancer Support and rely on donations to keep their amazing work going.

If you can spare a few pennies please use the link below to help them continue their fantastic work.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Thompson70?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation&utm_content=79ac7802-b87e-4a0b-9878-eea4f1973474&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1537293380810

Thank you. Please feel free to share this post ❤️

13/08/2018

Great run today. Loving this training program and how far I’m developing myself at the same time.

03/06/2018

As many of you know I attempted my first marathon in 2017 and it didn't end the way I hoped 😢

I have began my training for my 2nd attempt at completing the Bournemouth Marathon. I have added new elements to my training and kept many parts of last years training.

After last year I tried to think where I went wrong. Did I do enough training? Did I do the right training? Was my diet right? Was I getting all the key vitamins and nutrients that I needed?

In short, no. There were many elements of my training I got wrong. I didn't concentrate on strength training, my training runs were not long enough and although I lost a lot of weight I didn't have enough stamina to get me to the end.

On race day I wore the wrong kit. I wore all black and it was a roasting hot day.

I kept hydrated for sure but didn't have enough fuel to make it to the end.

2018 will be different.

This year I've adapted my training to ensure I condition my body correctly. Never underestimate what your body will go through and need to complete a marathon.

2018 is my year. 2018 I will finish!

26/05/2018

So it's been a while since I last posted about my journey.

Beginning to feel the benefits of training and getting more runs in now. I'm so lucky to have such a beautiful backdrop to train on.

This year I've began combining cross country running with Road running, cardio and weight training to improve my strength.

This journey would never be possible without the love and support of my beautiful wife, daughter, family and friends. Thank you all.

This year I'm running for Macmillan Caring Locally, a fantastic charity who offers palliative care to people with cancer.

I will be running in memory of a fantastic boss and friend Jennie Deavin. I was truly lucky to have the pleasure and privilege to know Mrs D for 15 years. Throughout this time she helped me become a better manager through her guidance and advice. But not only was Mrs D a great boss but a true friend. Someone I could talk to, get advice and support. Mrs D had so much love and care to share with people and touched the lives of many of us. She was simply the best!

17/02/2018

Looking for useful tips

17/02/2018

New fitness buddy to help me get in to the best shape possible for my next attempt at a marathon ❤️

16/02/2018

Getting the steps in as part of my training programme

22/10/2017

Macmillian Caring Locally

OUR HISTORY

“Macmillan Caring Locally” formerly The Macmillan Cancer Trust was formed in 1974 and evolved from the fund raising committee for the building of the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital, the first of its kind in the Country. This Committee included amongst its members representatives from the League of Friends at the Royal Victoria Hospital (now Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital) and the National Society for Cancer Relief.

During the final building stages of the Unit it was decided to form a Trust to be identified with the Unit and it was registered as a Charity on 25 July 1974 as "the Macmillan Cancer Trust"

In 2009 the Trust was re-branded as “Macmillan Caring Locally”. The aims of the Charity are to support those who are suffering from Cancer and other terminal diseases where no cure is expected, and to provide help and support for the whole family. Latterly the Charity has aided services which provide early diagnosis of Cancers with a view to enabling early treatment and, ideally, recovery.

“Macmillan Caring Locally” acts as the custodian of all funds donated towards its aims and both initiates and responds to a wide variety of needs supporting the N.H.S., primarily for the Macmillan Unit but also for other Cancer sufferers in South East Dorset and West Hampshire. Macmillan Caring Locally is not connected in any way to the national charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

18/10/2017

My training t-shirts have arrived ready for the new training programme 😊let do it