I battled it, was politely asked to go home when in the office and then spent the week worrying about whether I could run at all or not.
On the Wednesday, to make matters worse, I received a call from the airline saying that due to industrial action in Italy our flight was cancelled.
I was livid but also feeling dreadfully unwell, coughing and spluttering and gasping for breath. For some strange reason I thought that I would all of a sudden make a miraculous recovery and swan over the line having achieved a PB…it was not to be.
The following day I went to the doctor and threw the towel in, cancelling my flights, hotel etc.… I was devastated. All that work.
New Forest: Florence Marathon Weekend. Coughing Like a 40-a-day man
It was at this point that my ever-understanding wife and I hatched a plan. We would go away for the weekend as planned to The New Forest and I would go and run the Pisa Marathon 3 weeks later. Calls were made, recovery ensued and slowly but surely I was race ready again, running a solid 16 miles in 2 hours the week before. Life was good again!
On Wednesday, 11th December I received a call, informing me that my cousin’s wife of 36 years, Lisa Vivian had suffered a heart attack and brain haemorrhage. She died that night, leaving my cousin Nick and his 3 lovely children.
The Beautiful Lisa Vivian
This put everything in perspective and made me more determined than ever to live for the now, embrace life and push myself further than ever before.
I was emotional and kept thinking about Lisa, my cousin and the kids and decided to run Pisa in her memory.
When I landed at the airport in Pisa, I went straight to the expo to collect my number and had the opportunity to get “FOR LISA” stamped on my shirt (that set me off).
I was ready and fortunately had checked myself into a spa hotel so spent the afternoon chilling out in hot pools…bliss!
I even decided to have a glass and a half of red wine to help me drift off to sleep.
It worked and I slept a good 6 hours having efficiently laid out all of my equipment and outfit for the following morning.
All Neatly Laid Out (A Touch of OCD?)
I wouldn’t say I slept soundly, waking at 4, 5 and finally 6am… I was up and had a long bath whilst watching James Cracknell to inspire me.
A brief taxi ride and some light snacks on the way in and I assembled near the start line, which was round the corner from the iconic leaning tower.
The Tower
Italian is not a language I have much proficiency in so I acted the “tourist” and assembled in the pen for sub 3:15…a mere 10 feet from the start. I was a little concerned as to whether I was in the right place as both half marathoners and full marathoners were in the same starting area.
I hardly had time to get myself ready and we were off. I started my running app about 30 seconds into the race but the pace was sufficiently slow so as not to throw me off pace.
Pace Runners Lining Up at Pisa 2013
• Smile at the volunteers
• Smile generally
• Tell yourself you feel good (and I did)
• Live in the moment rather than thinking ahead all the time.
• Enjoy it!
All of the above were working for me and I could see the inflatable arch 1 KM away that signalled the half way point.
I had taken to texting my boss and my wife (the other “boss” in my life) every 5k so they were aware of my progress but then decided to try something I had never done before.
As I was on my own in Pisa with no support from family and friends, I thought I would give my wife a call.
Having a quick 2-minute chat about my progress was awesome and gave me a lift. I crossed the halfway point keeping my pace at sub 4:30/K, which means I was on track for sub 3:30…
Half Way Point Looms Ahead
As I passed the 25k mark I realised that if I maintained my pace I could even get sub-3:15! This was going to be a great race. The sun was shining and I was now running alongside the coast. Again the diversity made for a really interesting run.
Before I knew it we had turned away from the coast and started heading back towards Pisa.
Yes It Really Was THAT Hot
Reality started to kick in after 30KM and things started to get tough all of a sudden (yes – the wall!!). I then made an error that would cost me a few minutes later on.
I dropped my water bottle and foolishly thought that I should continue so as not to break my pace.
All well and good but 2-3k further on as I approached the 35k mark I started to feel incredibly thirsty…and alas no water station in sight. I asked the officials and they gave me wet sponges which contained very little water.
I was parched and tiring rapidly.
I called my wife again and confidently informed her that I was on for a sub 3:20…a mammoth achievement. Moments later though I started walking. Only for 30 seconds but I needed to. Managed to pick myself up and continue running and then again…slowed to a walk.
I'm OK - Really!
I called my wife again and just told her to talk to me. I was gasping for breath as the leaning tower came into view, just behind the walled city. 42K came and no sign of the finish and then…a quick turn around the corner and I saw it… 50 metres away.
3:17! I crossed the line and it took a few moments to catch my breath. I carried on talking to my wife and could hear the cheers of my kids in the background.
Triumph Against a Backdrop of Tragedy: Pisa 2013
The sound of Queen’s “Who wants to live forever” rang out over the PA and I cried a little, thinking of poor Lisa Vivian, Nick and is family…. But what a tribute to her. Since then I have been in touch with the Pisa Marathon organisers and they are going to send me 3 medals, one for each of my cousin’s kids and I will insert a photo of the finish line with Lisa’s name on my running shirt. They will be able to put it in their very own memory box.
The tingling in my face started but I knew what to do. I quickly went into a café and ordered 2 cans of soft drink and sat down in the sun letting things sink in.
There is no other feeling like it.
The sense of physical and mental exhaustion that stays with you for the rest of the day and for days afterwards.
I hobbled to the baggage pickup area and sat in the sun next to fellow runners.
I spoke to a few of my friends and family and made my way to a hotel near the finish line to order a taxi. I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel for the post marathon pampering that I had planned.
Where I spent My Afternoon Recovery
And what an afternoon…
Basically, I lounged around in various hot spring baths for 2 hours, taking all the weight off my poor legs. First the roof pool and took in the Autumnal Tuscany sun, then a variety of indoor pools until alas it was time to pack up.
I got to the airport in plenty of time and winced my way into my seat. I couldn't sleep but was absolutely shattered.
Landing at Stanstead I hopped in my car after a victory Burger King and made my way home, sitting an a dreadful traffic jam for an hour.
I made it home and felt like a hero for about a week. I even went into the office on the Monday (albeit a little later than usual).
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