By “Keep her lit Big Davy.” The well meaning encouragement uttered with a dulcet Belfast brogue on my only previous marathon, in my home city. “Big Davy” is what stuck in my head and 11 years on with 2 days to go it’s still there. I half expect Belfast Bill to be there on embankment Sunday with a knowing wink.
You see, in your minds eye you’re gliding like a gazelle when in fact you’re waddling like a walrus! 16 weeks of training you’d think would be transformative but alas a shuffle is still a shuffle even with a few more shuffles per minute – they call that cadence folks, yes we know all the science after reading every performance tip ever written in the history of human kind.
But it is what it is, we’re ready. I do worry a little that the waddling walrus will spoil the perfect race photos of the sylph like stylish Hamilton Harriers (Suze and Lola) but I’ll do my best to blend in to the lampposts. Then again not really, it’s all about getting this done and if possible enjoying the day.
The team have prepared like no other. Who knew that you needed to nibble pink iced rice crispy cakes in the 48 hours beforehand? Well, Momma bear Suzanne did – I’ve been presented with everything from salt tablets, crispy cakes to wet wipes and a bottle of coke (red ambulance). I’m sure if Suze could have bought me a more stylish shuffle she would! Big shoutout to the team matriarch who has had her own struggles in the past few weeks, but I know will do herself and her family proud on Sunday. Provided the shuffle doesn’t fail me I’ll be by her side on the Mall, along with Lola who exhibits only the exuberance of youth and just thinks 26.2 miles is fun! Oh, to share some of that youthful elixir. Let’s not forget Izzy who will be waiting, long since finished as she ploughed her own speedy furrow along the course! The team Ruby finish photo is all the visualisation motivation we need.
Added to that, we can’t let all of you down. We have been overwhelmed by the support you have shown and we thank you wholeheartedly. You’ve really made a difference and we promise to get this done for Ruby and for you.
It’s ok, I know what you’re all thinking; time has moved on and “Keep her Lit, Big Davy” might have evolved into the title of the well known Simon Pegg film. If I hear it, I’ll smile and I’ll wave and just keep on shuffling. Now I’m off for a pink rice crispy or three.
– David
