The Stirrer's Easter Movie Treat……………….Part Three

PERSONAL BEST - THE STORY OF BLIND DAVE

09-04-2007

This time next year, Blind Dave Heeley from West Brom will attempt to become the first disabled athlete to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents - and The Stirrer will be following him every step of the way. Here's his latest blog, and a chance to catch up on his history.

to view the picture gallery of Dave's New York marathon click here

Well it was the day of judgement, in more ways than one. The kids were ready to break up from school and the Easter assembly was here.

It's great when the kids put on an assembly - all the songs and the play acting, showing off the Easter bonnets they've made. It's a lovely feeling, as the kids all sing for Moms, Dads, Nans, Granddads and other family members.

I'm told there was floppy hats, bunny hats, chicken hats and in the case of the headmaster Mr Samuels, no hats - his fell apart, not once, but twice. He blamed the sellotape. Still, everyone was in the spirit of things and had a good laugh.

It's always encouraging when family members have an input into school activities. I have on occasion been asked to do a couple of talks on Guide Dogs and there are a couple of new kids who have started the school this term and their Dad was involved in the Easter assembly.

Evans, as he announced himself, was a vicar - very handy, I thought, for taking part at Easter and Christmas. It adds a difference to the kids' assemblies. He's new in the area, and has come specifically to set up a different kind of church. He's a Christian, and is here to encourage families under the age of thirty.

Shame I wont be able to go as I'm just over the age limit, at 39 years and 132 months!

To be fair he sounds very energetic, giving two talks, firstly to the young nursery children and I thought he applied his story of Easter very well, telling of the new born lambs, chickens and bunnies, relating to the eggs, especially the chocolate ones, which went down a treat with the little ones.

The next story was to the older children. He changed it this time, asking did they know of any of the TV and comic superheroes, Superman, Batman and the like. Of course, this age group loved this story.

He then went on to tell of Jesus being such a superhero with his healing powers, he told of how sick people who were made better and how blind people were made to see. I must admit I had a wry smile on my face - I could have sworn that was the opticians job! I had a feeling most adults in the assembly gave me a cursory look - what did they really think?

In the afternoon I picked up Georgie-lee from school and many of the parents came up to me and mentioned the talk from the vicar in the morning. Most found it quite amusing, which is the only way to take it. It was certainly a talking point that's for sure.

I assured them all that I must have been on holiday the time the healing for blindness was performed, and I would certainly make myself available the next time they were in the area.

It certainly proved people were listening to his story but for the time being I will continue to use my four-legged car, Wicksie, until such time as I'm allowed to take a driving test.

Saturday saw us back at Sutton Park, for the Midlands Road Relay 12 stage, where all the local running teams battle it out for a place in the national finals. It's quite a competitive event.

Being in the park it's a similar course to the Warwicks, which were held there a couple of weeks ago, although this time it's probably a half mile longer, making you blow harder as well.

This time we ran what they call The Loop - in other words another hill that goes round and towards the end we run alongside the pool, a bit rough under foot, which always makes me a bit hesitant.

As you come off the rough back onto the tarmac there is a little slope. I must admit, I didn't remember the severity of the drop until we came down it. Karl, who was guiding me today as he'd had a longer rest than Mac, told me it was coming up, but it was still quite a shock.

It seemed as though my feet were literally in mid air for a split second, then there was the floor, then a step to jump up as we ran back onto the tarmac where there was a speed hump, which I caught with the leading foot. Although I stumbled, I just managed to stay on my feet.

This, all within ten seconds, unbalanced me a bit, but I hadn't much time to think about it as we were running up the hill to the finish, Karl shouting me on all the way, the adrenalin was pumping, I can tell you. In fact, at one point when I came off the slope, it nearly came out of me!

Still it was a good run, knackering but once again, seconds off last years time, the third PB in as many weeks. The whole team had a good run, sadly not quite good enough to get us in the national finals, but we gave it our all and in some way it's a blessing as the finals are a week before the London marathon. Missing out gives the legs a longer rest and there's always next year.

Saturday night saw us at the Royal Navy Club; the girls were primed for a bit of karaoke and dancing. It's a nice little club we use from time to time and like many others in the area, they support me in my charity work for Guide Dogs. They put on the occasional horse racing night, sponsor me for various runs and tonight the club was giving me a cheque to support the marathon, a nice sum of £200.

It was a very pleasant evening, plenty of dancing, a few pints, generally people enjoying themselves, which is what life is all about. Georgie-lee is always up for a sing-song and tonight was no different, and with Dad making up the duo, we gave the club a treat (perhaps some others might have called it something else).

We gave our rendition of Love Is All Around, by Wet, Wet, Wet - we might not win a talent contest yet, but Georgie-lee is still very young, so watch this space. I'm going to be her agent (well, after her Mom any way).

Sunday saw another 11 mile training run, around Sandwell Valley, up the Newton Road. We always pick some good ones to recover, always up hill. Still, there's no real hills on the London marathon, so at least that's a bonus.

There's no parked cars either; wherever we seem to run just lately, there are parked cars on the pavements, Mac cracking his wrist on a wing mirror, breaking the strap on his watch, yet again.

Why is it that there seems to be more and more cars on the roads and even more cars on the footpaths, always in the most awkward places. People simply don't seem to care about any onebut themselves these days, but they are always the first to moan if you catch their cars - what a shame, I do feel sorry for them! Tell them it's costing us a fortune fix Mac's watch.

Parked cars are a pain in the rear end - some drivers just don't give a damn. What I want to know is, where are all the traffic wardens?

At the bottom of our road is an off licence. Outside the shop, approximately ten foot from the shop door, is a telephone box. There is just enough room to pass it, but to my astonishment when you walk by, most times of the day you find some idle so and so has parked their car virtually against the box, forcing all pedestrians into the road. Just because they would have to park ten foot back and walk a little further to the shop.

Personally the council should put railings at every junction where there's a shop and force people to park further back anyway, or put a £1000 fine on them. Mind, who would do that, the cardboard traffic wardens?

What would be a great idea is to issue us all with really sticky labels saying “can't get past” or “shouldn't park there” which we could put all over these badly parked cars.

It might make their owners think a bit before they parked in anyone's way. I bet it would take that smug look off their faces. I'll mention it to the council.

Well that's my moaning and groaning, puffing and panting over for another week. London is forever getting closer and my ginormous Easter egg is nearly ready for eating - well, I can dream, can't I?

I'll probably end up buying a Cadbury's crème egg for myself from the shop at the bottom of my road - that's if I can get to the door. I'll make sure I don't sit Wicksie at the corner, though, because now I've been moaning again, he might end up with a parking ticket.

See you next week, Blind Dave signing off.

To watch Personal Best - The Story of Blind Dave click here.

To find out more about Dave's challenge - which has the backing of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, go to www.justgiving.com/777