Lynne Burdon
In March 2006 my life changed. One day I received an email from Matt Miller one of my business partners saying he was going to run the New York City Marathon in November and did anyone want to join him? My first thought was 'Oh! How I wish I could do that - but I am far too old (50) too fat (not telling) and too unfit". The following day I went to the gym as usual and happened to mention to Dax Moy how I wished I could. He replied "You could Lynne if you really want to". My fate was sealed.
I went out for a trial run - I found I could run for one minute but not for two! I bought a running book for complete beginners and started my plan. 15th March 2006 - run 1 minute walk 2 minutes - 5 times. That was an achievement. 2 months later I could manage 2 laps of Regent's Park on a run walk plan - and even better I had lost 6kg. The London 10k on 2nd July was my first running race - 1 hour 25 mins and 20 secs my running diary records 'hips ache and back very painful' I was scared - only 4 months to do and 6 miles was so hard. I searched around on the internet and found a running weekend. This is where I met Keith Anderson who agreed to coach me up to the marathon. He also believed I could do it!
On 5 November 2006 I ran the New York City Marathon - 26.2 miles in 6 hours 14 minutes. It was dark when I arrived at the start - and dark again when I arrived at the finish! What a day. What an amazing achievement. And even better the Bolt Burdon team raised £15,000 for Get Kids Going.
I had achieved my goal and thought that box was that ticked! However after a couple of weeks I found I missed the running so I went out for a little run - just for fun! In April 2007 I was on the start line for the London Marathon this time with a target time of 5 1/2 hours. Unfortunately the Gods were not smiling on me that day, the weather was baking hot, there was not enough water on the course. I got round but it took longer than New York.
In 2008 I resolved - no marathon for me this year - and a couple of injuries made sure that was the case. Towards the end of the year I was getting twitchy - I really don't like unmet goals and that 5 1/2 hours hadn't been met. I decided it was time for us to run another marathon and raise money - this time for the NSPCC.
In Florence on 29 November 2009 13 of us are going to face the 26.2 miles. We are going to raise £15,000 for the NSPCC. Please help us. http://www.justgiving.com/florence2009
Oh and after one too many G+Ts one night I made a bet - my target time is now 4 hours 49 minutes. Is that possible?
My massive thanks to Dax Moy http://www.daxmoy-pts.co.uk who encouraged me to try and to Keith Anderson who still coaches me for making it possible http://www.fullpotential.co.uk