A message from Bean, from our studio, who is running the marathon:

Kids.

Training for the London marathon, it’s felt at times like someone out there’s not wanted me to run. Rumours the Kenyan squad were getting increasingly worried about my form make them chief suspects for a series of setbacks which have hampered my preparation. Realistically however, the problems are more a result of an ‘unlucky dumbass’ phase I appear to have gone through recently. I started off training with a cracked rib, and over the last few weeks I’ve been left with only one fully functioning leg. 4 weeks of physio to a ligament in my left knee hasn’t helped much. This can be mainly attributed to the fact the wrong ligament was being treated. Damn those Kenyans!   

It’s since been established I have problems with a ligament close to the one treated, (knees are complicated) a possible bruised bone and damaged nerve. Last weekend I could only run for 20 mins before my knee said hello in a kind of ‘What the f*** you doin?’ type way. This has left me with a difficult decision: Do I run? It’s been not been easy, but the only conclusion I can come to is that if I start on Sunday, I’m not sure whether I’ll finish, but at least by starting on Sunday, I’ll be finishing what I started. I’ve been reassured by an Orthopedic expert that I shouldn’t do any long term damage. We’ve been doing everything possible to minimise discomfort. I’ve had a steroid injection in my knee, I’m icing it 3 times a day, taking lots of pills, and on the day will be using an anaesthetic cream which should help numb the area. It’ll be a different kind of road trip to the one I expected, but it’s set to be a whole lot more interesting.

I’ve been totally knocked sideways by the generosity of everyone who’s sponsored me. I was stoked to be running for the homeless charity Shelter, and can only look on in wonderment at the 2 Grand raised! It’s left me completely gobsmacked. To all that have made donations I’d like to say a huge Thank-You. I’d also like to apologise for the fact you may have bet your money on a lame horse. If I don’t finish on Sunday, I reassure you I’ll have tried my best. You are, after all, one of the reasons I’m still running.

If you’re feeling delusional and would still like to make a donation to Shelter, then you can do so here. There seems little point in encouraging you to sponsor me now though…..

http://www.justgiving.com/bakedbean

If you’re coming down to watch, then give me a shout, and I’ll pass on some more details. At some point on Sunday afternoon you should be able to find me in a boozer somewhere near the finish.

Thank-you again.

Beanie.