BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

17-01-2007

Last Thursday, Black Country marathon runner Blind Dave Heeley announced plans to become the first disabled athlete to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents - and The Stirrer will be with him every step of the way. Here's his latest blog.

Hi Stirrers,

Well what a great year 2007 is turning into, our long runs have started for the London marathon and guess what? The weather is still the same as last year, up and down in temperature with wet, wet and even wetter rain.

Over the past couple of months we've been saying how good the weather has been to us when we are out training, but it's making up for it in these first few days of the New Year - any more downpours and I'll either shrink or go rusty.

Out with the old and on with the new, I've actually started the year with a new pair of trainers. Debb said they were very bright, every one will certainly see me coming down the street - that was the idea, anyway.

Not any more though. Mac found every puddle he could and yes, they are now another shade of bright! A very dirty bright. As Mac says: “A proper pair of running shoes”.

Just wait till he puts his new custom made trainers on for London. I'm sure an accident with some sticky, wet Lucasade sports drink is bound to happen, I'll give him proper running shoes!

Talking of Mac, running along with his trendy, groovy Adidas sports sun glasses, I think I'll have to book him into Spec Savers. There we were running along nicely until “Ouch”, my fist connected with a car wing mirror. Five minutes later, the van we'd bumped passed us,

“You haven't damaged it ” said Mac. “Never mind the van, look at the blood running down my arm” I shouted, just as we turned a corner and he ran me right through a thorn bush. There was more blood on my hand and arm. I wonder if he's upset because I never got him a Christmas present?

I suppose I can now also be classed as a football hooligan as well - remind me not to run past the Albion ground again on match day. We were running, minding our own business, when I was shoulder charged - “yes referee, and I hadn't even got the ball!”

To be honest I never saw him - well I wouldn't would I - and as someone shouted “Watch out Jim”, clearly Jim hadn't seen me either, but he certainly felt me as we collided and he shot off at a tangent.

Mac said, in rather a hurry, “why don't people watch were they are going?” So yes, your honour, I'm guilty of a shoulder charge”, but I bet Jim will keep his eyes peeled next time.

In fact, all the way round that day we couldn't believe how many people were about, the January sales had certainly bought them out in force and guess what, we got wet again.

Christmas over and it's really surprising how many cars are parked on footpaths again. Where do they all come from? Or is it that foot path licences are not issued at Christmas?

The other thing that springs to mind, with all this talk of dangerous dogs on our streets, is how many pooches there suddenly seem to be around. Large ones, too, and the worrying part is they seem to be walked by kids or people who clearly can't handle them.

Once again, blame the animal , not the very “responsible “ owners. How many more fatal accidents are going to happen before authorities do some thing about it? I wouldn't trust some folk with a budgie, but I suppose authority will simply shrug their shoulders instead of getting to grips with the problem - or is it there's no money to be made? I wonder which it is?

It's been very busy on another front, the announcement for my next challenge has been made, and to be honest it's very exciting. Seven marathons, in seven days over seven continents.

After many months of persuading Mac, I think he's sold on the idea, now the hard work starts, certainly the training but even more important, trying to get the funding and logistics together for such a challenge.

Many people have frowned and shook their heads, “Is it possible?” they ask. Look, it's been done by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr. Mike Stroud so any thing is possible. With a little luck and determination we'll be joining their exclusive club.

Our challenge is going to be called “The Eyes of the World”. Our research has found that every five seconds, someone in the world is going blind and I hope to make people aware of this and hopefully raise money in every country, to help and support blindness in some way, helping others to have a better quality of life - so if any of you out there who would like to support us by sponsoring or donating any money please get in touch.

And any businesses who wish to take an opportunity of advertising all around the world by supporting our cause , also please get in touch, we need all the help and financial support we can muster.

Well the year has certainly got off to an exciting start, plenty to do,loads of races to train for and Debb has got a few more projects for me to do on the carpentry side of things, so I'll get on.

So here's Blind Dave signing off, but remember if you buy a pair of shoes that are the wrong colour, have a run out with Mac and he'll certainly help you with that problem. Andif you see us both running down the street and there's water close by, move a bit sharpish, bye for now.

If you want to sponsor Dave contact him via www.justgiving.com/777