Greater Manchester Marathon

I’m a bit late to the party with this one, but I was reading that the Greater Manchester Marathon Is going to be held next April for the first time in a decade.

A decade ago running a marathon was the last thing on my mind, hence it being news to me that it ever existed in the first place! Now that I’m a bit fitter and healthier though, I have to say it’s a little tempting.

I have serious doubts over whether I could run a marathon – not because of fitness, but because I really don’t think my joints could take it – I’ve dislocated my right kneecap twice, ruptured the ACL in the same knee (and had the accompanying reconstructive surgery and rehab) and had loose cartilage scraped off both knees. So they’re not in the best of shape.

I remember at the end of my first (and only at the time of writing) half marathon – Macclesfield – thinking there is no way I could do that over again. I appreciate that a lot of that is psychological, but my legs and knees didn’t half hurt!

Anyway, the reason it’s tempting is because it’s not often there is a marathon on your doorstep – not often at all if you live in Manchester apparently! And this one isn’t far off literally being on my doorstep. The start line is less than a 5 minute walk from my front door. And, I know that on the day, seeing all the runners, I’ll wish I’d entered.

I have got it in my head that id like to do an iron distance tri some day, so I guess I will need to run a marathon at some point anyway! Maybe next time I’m drunk I’ll just think it’s a great idea to enter, and deal with the imminent sinking feeling I’ll get when I see the confirmation email all bleary-eyed the next day! That seems to be how Me and my friends end up entered into a lot of these events!

If you are thinking of doing a marathon in 2012, the course is fairly flat. And, it is organised by Simon and the team at Xtra Mile Events – I’ve been in quite a few races they’ve organised over the past couple of years and haven’t seen anyone come even close to the quality of organisation as those guys, so you should be in safe, comforting hands!

I’ll let you know if drunkenness and / or peer pressure results in me entering any time soon!