My get up

Quite a few people have told me that they’re coming to watch the marathon on Sunday. That’s absolutely brilliant, as there’s nothing like seeing someone you know to give you that extra bit of motivation when you’re feeling dead and buried.

The last time I did it I knew exactly where my family were going to be and it was brilliant – I went through the tunnel at Blackfriars (which coincidentally resembles the Somme on race day) and made sure I came out the other side where they were with a spring in my step. That was the good thing.

The bad thing was that I got 200 yards further down the road and hit a massive low again, juddering to a halt at precisely the point where Sean Hayes was stood drinking a can of lager. The shame of it (my behaviour, not his) made me start running straight away again.  

The point I’m trying to make is that support is absolutely brilliant, so as there are quite a few punters running, I took a photo of me in my ‘get up’ last night to help you spot me…

As you can see, the Herts Community Foundation have kindly sent me a top with Ben pre-printed on it. That’s extremely helpful as it means lots of random people will shout me words of encouragement along the way (which believe me, really helps).

However, it’s not so good for you as if you shout ‘Ben’, I won’t realise it’s someone I know. So, remember the number 40,722, and if you see me, please feel free to shout any one of my following nicknames please…

Woody
One-Eye
Benny Bois
Wood-Eye
Wurzel
Carrots
Bristol

I’ve put those in order of popularity, so the higher up the better please!

The last time I did the marathon I told everyone that I would be running in my red Heart-UK top, but then proceeded to try and iron on my name without putting a cloth in-between – which totally disintegrated it! I didn’t have anything else red to wear, so loads of people who came to spot me didn’t see me at all! A mistake I won’t make twice, I promise.

The only thing that remains to say is that a) I might not be wearing a blue top underneath as it’s dependent on the weather, and b) I’m getting my barnet chopped so will have a ‘go faster’ haircut rather than that current mop on my head.

Thank you in advance to anyone who gives me a cheer, look forward to seeing you!