BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

26-10-2006

In a week's time Black Countryrunner Blind Dave Heeley will be heading to New York to take part in the world's biggest marathon - and The Stirrer will be filming it for this site. In his weekly blog,Dave updates us on the latest preparations.

Hi Stirrers,it's been a very rewarding week. I was given the honour ofbeing allowed by the kids to escort them to school. I now know where to collect Georgie-Lee from, and Dannie's teachers have invited me back every day if I want to. Theysaid the kids have never been so quietthanks to the calming effectmy guide dog Wicksie hadon them all, so it was “Please, please will you come every morning”. We obviously have our uses.

The Harvest Festival, performed by the infants and nursery was an absolute pleasure to be at, all the kids sang, danced and performed their parts wonderfully. To have our two youngest in the same school hall at the same event was lovely, especially for Nan, Debbs mom, whose little treasures please her more and more.

To top the week off I gained some brownie points with my Mom. I don't know about you but some times you just can't seem to win with Mothers. You say,“I'm coming down to see you” and the answer is always the same. “Don't bother, I'd rather come to see you lot, as it gets me out of the house “.

Fair enough, but then she says: “I thought you were coming to doa couple of little jobs for me”. I could scream sometimes.You should never forget thatMothers are always right ,even thoughmost of the time they'rewrong,and as I'm often remindedI'm not too big for a clip round the ear. So we ended up going to hers, and sorting out a few things.

Whoever put the shelf back up for Mother previouslyobviously needs glasses. He'd missed the rawlplugs completely with the screws. I found the rawlplugs easily by using “Debbs eyes “,so that's now been sorted, the kitchen cupboard door isback on and I've measured for a new door in the front room. All I have to do is get it and hang it, but that can wait until after New York, so jobs done and brownie points gained. I can now relax for a while -it's satisfying sometimesto get througha whole week with out any scrapes,cuts or bruises.

This weekend was the last of our hard training and what a way to do it, at the Great South run in Portsmouth. Six of us went down from West Brom, although only fourof us wererunning and my mate Gary was doing his last blindfold run. He has created a lot of awareness among sighted people about the problems I face, so he should feel very proud with himself.

As forecast, the day started very nice weather wise, with a slight breeze - just right for a run. Once again we were very privileged to be starting at the front, just behind the wheelchair contestants.My guide runner Mac told me I was paid a compliment by one of the Emmerdale actors,who pointed at me and told the others what a good runner I was. Noticed at last!! Proves he doesn't know too much about running, mind, but maybe they'll offer me a part in the soap. I could be a bookies runner, althoughserving behind the bar at the Woolpack sounds better. No onehas rung my agent yet, which could be because I haven't got one!

The run was great, certainly living up to it's name. I had a personal best, knocking nearly two and a half minutes off last year's time, finishing in 70 minutes 10 seconds, so lets hope all the hard work and many, many miles will pay off for the marathon in New York.

At five miles we had a history lesson, as we passed an old ship in the port, Mac asked a spectator whether it was the Victory. “No “ came thereply, “the Victory is the one up ahead and the one you've just passed is the Warrior. Sonot only do you keep fit doing all this running, but you learn something new every day. Moms, get your kids out running - it's good for their education.

At seven miles the forecast was right yet again it started to rain rather sharply. We got wet - no I'll rephrase that, we got absolutely drenched, the slight wind turning into a gale. Good job my trainers were tied tightly or I could have been running in bare feet, 'coswhen the coast wind blows, it blows.

We finished soakedbutjubilant. It'snot often I getpraised on my runningby Mac but I think he was pleased with my effort. Iwish I'd asked for it in writing now but, all in all, we had a great run and a great weekend, now it's count down to New York.

That means giving ourselves aneasy time for a week or so, running-wise any way. Debbs has already reminded me there's still a few jobs to be done before I go. “Feet up” I said. “Yes, on step ladders” she replied. There'sno peace for the wicked.

Till next week here's Blind Dave signing off.