London Marathon: 'Running the Marathon for EFDS is addictive'
Every year over 37,000 professional and amateur runners tackle the 26 mile and 385 yard course that makes up the London Marathon.
Most people taking part are raising money for a huge variety of good causes, and on Sunday morning 25 runners will be lining up to fundraise for the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS).
This week, EFDS tells the story of just some of those pulling on the Federation’s branded vests to run through London, raising money to support more disabled people to be active.
Today, Natalie Taylor discusses her family’s support, the vibe on the track and aiming to break the five-hour barrier.
Natalie’s Marathon story:
Last year, prior to the Marathon, I didn’t really train. I just completed a series of 10 mile runs in the two months leading up to it. But since then I did the Great North run in September for EFDS, and that was a lot better.
Last time it took me six hours. This time I’m aiming for around five.
In my training for the 2015 London Marathon I still haven’t passed 15 miles, though I want to complete 20 and 26 mile runs before Sunday. I expect those runs will remind me of how painful the Marathon actually is!
The Marathon may be hard, awful in places, but it is also absolutely brilliant. It really challenges your body and the atmosphere the whole way round the course is amazing. I can not describe how lovely people are – it just blew my mind.
Not long after the start last year I remember running past a series of DJs outside bars, all of which were playing great music. An amazing feeling.
And last year my family were all there, and I couldn’t believe how proud they were when I finished. It shocked me, I couldn’t believe the looks on their faces.
The Marathon is addictive – you want to do it again for that ‘wow-factor’. All the family are travelling down again to support me.
I have two children who, at 10 years of age, were both diagnosed with a rare muscle-wasting disease, hereditary motor-neuropathy. My son, who was a good swimmer at the time, had to adapt to swimming. But there is no medication, no help, and nothing can be done – the disease is just progressive. So all I thought I could do that would be of benefit was run the Marathon.
I ran it last year for the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), and this year I’ve decided to do it again.
I watch a lot of sport with my son and I always feel there isn’t a lot of obvious support for disabled people. But I watch my son in disability competitions and the support there is so, so good. Their Disability Sport Events programme is amazing.
I just think EFDS should be given a higher profile, and more people should be aware of them. I have a hairdressing business where I live in Cockermouth, Cumbria, and all the customers agree that EFDS is a really good cause.
Will I run the London Marathon again after this week? Well, I ran 15 miles recently and felt incredibly stiff the morning after, so then I would have said no. But, considering the buzz I’m expecting to feel this coming weekend, it’ll probably be another yes!
