BLIND DAVE "RAN THROUGH PAIN BARRIER" TO COMPLETE 777

16-04-2008

As 777 marathon king Blind Dave Heeley prepares for his triumphant homecoming to West Bromwich today he’s been talking about the agony and the ecstasy of his global running challenge. He says he was only able to completeit by going through the pain barrier.

Dave – as all Stirrer readers will surely know – became the first blind man to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents when he completed the Flora London Marathon on Sunday (along with his sighted partner Malcolm “Mad Mac” Carr).

Although both are in fine fettle, Dave admits that they are still recovering from their ordeal – and reveals that on Sunday he was in agony as he ran with heavy strapping on one of his legs.

"After the Tunis marathon, I had real problems at the bottom of my right calf where it connects with the Achilles" he said.

"It had to be strapped up but because we were doing London the next day, there was no recovery time.

"My fitness trainer Phil Glasgow warned that when I next ran on it I would feel excruciating pain."

"Mind you", he laughs, "he said it would be alright after that.

"To be fair, the only thing that would have stopped me is if the leg�had dropped off."

Mad Mac was in an even worse way.

He was given emergency medical treatmentat the end of marathon after suffering dihoerrea throughout the London race. he also hadexploding blisters and – most stomach churning of all –lost three toe nails over the week.

"For all that", Dave reflects, "we're not in bad way considering what we've done.� We were always going to�have sore legs, but we've still got smiles on our faces."

The lads will be greeted by the Mayor of Sandwell at 2pm today when they return to the Black Country for a victory parade through the town.

To see the full route, click here

And to see exclusive Stirrer TV footage of Blind Dave and Mac at Sunday’s London marathon, click here

And don’t forget to donate to Dave’s chosen cause, Guide Dogs for the Blind. Go to www.justgiving.com/777