Related links A bit of imagination might help on Sunday - do you think if I pretend I'm Jess ...I might get to the finish line before midnight? Get Your Running Shoes On Diary of a Reluctant Runner wk1 Wk 2 : I start to Run Wk 3: A classic beginners mistake Wk4: Where not much happens Wk 5: Where I get help Wk 6: I'm a bat out of hell (sort of) Wk 7: Where has the time gone? Wk9: I see the route and think... what? I Don't Give Up - Although Very Tempted Injured (again) I Wish I Could Swim The Half-Marathon Calcaneal Spurs Will I Ever Run again?   Ealing Half Marathon Ealing Eagles W5PHYSIO           Sign Up For EalingToday.co.uk Sign up for our free Acton newsletter

How did the time go so quickly?

It didn't seem so very long ago that I bought my expensive new trainers and, with the best of intentions attempted to channel my inner Jessica Ennis in the hope of transforming myself from reluctant to remarkable runner.

I had visions of losing weight and becoming a really healthy, fit specimen - full of energy. Sadly, as you may have gathered (if you have read any of my past witterings) it hasn't happened like that.

So, here I am just days away from Ealing's big event and looking despondently at the grey clouds and rain. I did say early on that I was a fairweather runner - that's not changed.

I haven't received my entry pack for the half-marathon yet and, along with being so injury prone, have taken this as another omen - perhaps I'm just not meant to do it?

I have been seriously contemplating knocking it all on the head and cheering from the sidelines this year.

But....

I'm a glutton for punishment (+ obviously a bit mad) and not very good at giving up on things (please remind me I said that if you see me on Sunday).

So, along with thousands of trained, committed and no doubt far younger athletic types, I shall be there at Lammas Park embarking on Ealing's first ever half-marathon.

I haven't set up a charity page as I really wasn't sure I was going to do it, however, the official partner is Epilepsy Action - please donate if you can.

I don't anticipate for one second I will be able to run much. In fact I have been instructed by my physio to walk/run the route. So I shall have to heed his advice.

It will still be very hard, and probably take me an absolute eternity to get round the whole 13 mile circuit - but I said I will do it - and so I shall.

I wish everyone taking part a good run - I pray for good weather  - and urge non-runners to please come out and cheer us all on ... especially the reluctant one (with Jessica Ennis delusions) at the very, very end...

 

:)

Annemarie Flanagan

 

26th September 2012