BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

26-09-2006

THE TWO LAMPOST TRAINING METHOD

Blind marathon runner Dave Heeley from West Bromwich updates us on his progress as he approaches the New York marathon in November. Last week, his preparations were stalled by a couple of carpentry accidents...seriously!

Hi Stirrers, well I'm pleased to announce all my fingers and both thumbs are still intact, mind I do have a few additions, or should I say I did, until the missus Debb got to work with a sharp pin. Ouch! plenty of splinters. Can any one explain to me why hardwood splinters give me more pain than softwood splinters, wood is wood after all; mind you, hard or softwood, when Debb has a sharp implement in her hand, both hurt just as much when being prised out, she takes no prisoners. Still, the project is almost complete, it's at the sanding stage and once oiled it's ready to be assembled and put into use.

I had a very pleasant trip up to Ironbridge Power Station, where the staff and management had very generously made a considerable donation to Guide Dogs and I was asked by the corporate man, Steve, from guide dogs to accompany him, along with Wicksie my dog - the most important representative - to have some pictures taken for the local press. That's what they told me anyway, but I fall for the five card trick every time, “ Of course you'll say a few words, as it always sounds better from a guide dog owner” says Steve -still what is a few words in exchange for a cheque for £7000? So I overcame my shyness yet again.

Talking of cheques our local Navy club came up trumps again, Saturday evening they presented me with another cheque for guide dogs, sponsorship from when I ran the London marathon.The local pubs and clubs are very supportive, it really gives me the enthusiasm to keep on going. This time they put on a disco and karaoke, with my fellow runner Mac and myself doing a great rendition of New York, New York - it really was a show stopper, even Wicksie put his paws to his ears, and we were told : "Please, run the marathon don't sing it". Some people don't appreciate good music.

Our training seems to be going very well and I must admit I'm really looking forward to the Great North run; mind our runs this week have been rather challenging, not from a strenuous point of view but I can't believe how many drivers have no consideration for pedestrians. The amount of cars and vans parked on the footpath forcing us into the road is unbelievable. I thought you bought a road licence not a foot path licence as well, but the worrying part is that wheelchair users and mothers pushing prams are literally forced to go round a vehicle, using the busy roads made for cars! Why don't drivers when parking, walk around their vehicle? Ifyou can walk round unimpeded, then so can others, that's all it takes.

All said and done, this week we've clocked up around 60 miles again plus two lampposts - yes Mad Mac bought them into our training schedule (well, only into mine actually, as I was the only one to hit them. I'm sure I need to book him into Spec Savers. Before you ask, it hurt - and no I wont tell you where exactly it was, as our illustrious council will charge me for any damage.

We finished the week off pretty good, West Bromwich Harriers entered two teams in the Midlands six stage relays, held in Sutton Park on Saturday and considering I was running in the B team we didn't come last. We didn't come first either but our training must be paying off, as I recorded the fastest leg in our team, I was quite chuffed with that. Mind you, Mac wiped the smile off my face by insisting on running all the way home, so our estimated long run of eight miles turned into fourteen and you've guessed it after a good hard race , I was knackered again, although to be honest it was quite satisfying .

We have decided not to taper our training down ahead of the Great North Run next week,as we feel the New York marathon is our prime objective this year.I shall give it my all next week, because as a blind competitor we get the opportunity to start in front of the main field, right behind the wheel chair competitors and so it's open road for around eleven miles until the elite boys catch us up.. What a great feeling it is, leading the Great North for all that time - now tell me there are no advantages in being blind. We get to the massage tables and the food and drinks first.

Hopefully if you take an interest in the North, look for us at the start on the telly, as the BBC give pretty good coverage, just behind the wheel chairs, I'm the one with Blind Dave on my shirt and Mac is the one in the dark glasses. Anyway have a great week and most important of all keep smiling, it makes the face stay younger. Hopefully I'll give you a detailed report of the North next week. This is Blind Dave signing off.