BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

17-11-2006

Writing exclusively for The Stirrer, West Midlandscharity runner Dave Heeley talks about his trip to New York and events leading up to the world's biggest marathon.

Hi Stirrers,

So good they named it twice, New York, we flew in, we ran, we flew home; I'm pleasantly knackered but what a trip. We hit the Big Appleon the run, it's certainly a fascinating city and they're right - it never sleeps. You could say the same about our hotel too - we certainly struggled to get a good night's kip there. Let's just say the best things about it were thatthe shower was good and it was handy for Times Square.

Never mind, let's concentrate on the positive stuff - the marathon. On the Friday morning we found the Javitts Centre and registered for the race, and what a number we were allocated! 10101. Better than 118 118 by a long way.

We were also overwhelmed by the help we got fromAchilles Track Club, the disabled running club I joined in New York and who were instrumentalin getting us into the marathon.They lookedafter us so well, made us feel very welcome and sorted out a whole load of things for us,from the location of the coaches for thestart, to how to get Mac registered as a guide -they took away so much of the hassle.

Achilles alsomentioned that their star runner Eddie would be running and was expected to doa 3 hour 30 minute marathon time. As he is also blind,in the nicest possible way it was a challenge thrown at us. So were the boys from the UK up for it? As long as I'm Blind Dave,too right we were, so after checking outthe stands and stalls at the expo, we left the Javitts Centre with a new sense of mission.

Before the race though, on theFriday evening we were invited to the Achilles overseas dinner, and verynice it wastoo, at the Cornell Club, on 44th and 5th..It's veryexclusiveplace becauseto become a member you have to be a Harvard University graduate, but as a guest of Achilles we enjoyed apleasant couple of hours with good food and pleasant company. I also got to meet the President and founder of Achilles Mr. Dick Truam, a wheelchair athlete and as it happens a very nice chap too.

On the Saturday morning to warm up for the marathon we took part in the Peace Run - this is foroverseas athletes over just3 miles with everyone enjoying breakfasttogether at the end. Therewas certainly a great feeling of solidarity and camaraderie, as most runners donned theirnational flags, banners or in our case a union jack bandana.

We startedstarted at the UN Building, passing the Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, turning onto 6th Avenue heading down towards Central Park, passing through Columbus Circle and finishing at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park, which is also the finish of the marathon and the folks of New York cheered us on all the way.

It was a great buzz to be part of such an international event, but wehad to shoot off pretty rapid as we had to meet up with all the other Achilles athletes on the other side of Central Park, where we had a chat, a little workout, last minute instructions on where to get the coaches and meet the following morning. More importantly, we also hadto have a coffee and some Dunkin Donuts, very nice, just to keep the energy levels stocked up for the next day.

The Saturday evening concluded with a pasta party in a giant tent in Central Park.There was some very loud music and afireworks display -very good I'm told - before we walked the30 minutesto our hotel; by this time I think we'dwalked a marathon already.

Not too long to wait now before the main event - the marathon itself. Next time I'll tell you all about it - and whether the Brits came out on top against star man Eddie.

Blind Dave raises funds for The Guide Dogs charity. Send donations to www.justgiving.com/blinddave