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Diary of Marsden Charity marathon runner, age 55

In December Daily Star sports sub-editor Keith Nancarrow’s pledge won a place to run in the Virgin Money London Marathon in aid of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the SJA’s nominated charity.

With donations taken on the day at the British Sports Awards lunch in December, together with Nancarrow’s successful bid, the SJA has raised more than £4,200 for this good cause with another round of fund-raising to come at the British Sports Journalism awards dinner on Monday, February 27.

Nancarrow promised to keep us up to date with his training regime, although he did warn that he had two dodgy knees and a shrivelled kidney before he started.

This is his latest bulletin

It had to happen. After more than 30 years of dealing with stories about the groin strains of the rich and famous, I finally got my own.

Five weeks into my serious training for the London Marathon and I’ve ground to a halt.

I was really pleased with the way things were going, racking up the miles on my training plan.

And I didn’t even crock myself training. I was running, but only for another late-night train after my shift at the Daily Star.

I went bounding up the stairs to London Bridge and…bugger. I limped to platform 11 and realised something was badly wrong.

So it was off to the physio and I’m grounded for at least 10 days, probably more.

POUNDING PAVEMENTS

I had already discovered running hurts – knees, feet, hips, quads and even the old gluteus maximus (sounds like a Roman centurion but is really just your backside).

Perhaps 55 is not the ideal age to take up long-distance running after all. It’s also expensive.

Now I can add physio bills to the cost of decent running shoes and all the other kit you need as well as protein supplements, energy gels and so on.

Next year I think I’ll just write the Royal Marsden a big fat cheque and avoid all the pain and heartache. But where’s the fun in that?

I’ll be back pounding the pavements just as soon as I can.

If you would like to show your support for me and the Royal Marsden, please sponsor me at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KeithNancarrow

  • The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money to help fund pioneering work in research, diagnosis, treatment and care to improve the lives of patients at The Royal Marsden and people with cancer throughout Britain and beyond.