Matthew
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Sunday 8 March 09, 20:17PM
Shella did her bit this morning and earned brownie points by doing a pre-wedding visit to Sparsholt church to see the vicar. I however had my excuse sorted by doing a marathon training run which actually involved running past the church during the service. I feel I've done my bit.
You have to feel sorry for this fella
Problem was I planned to do a 9am run but typically I got Littleton's equivalent of Dehli Belly (Shella actually calls it 'Shittleton') and didn't get out til 10am. This is the norm for me unfortunately. Anything sporty and I need a bit of 'me' time beforehand.
The first London Marathon I ran back in 1994 saw Shella, my sister and I get the train to London pretty much on time for the marathon start...then the nerves kicked in. I had to make a few pit stops before we reached the start line in Greenwich. As a naive 21 year old running my first marathon I didn't quite realise how much the nerves would affect me. Having spent 10 minutes in Greenwich station's toilets I'd pretty much forgotten the start time. We then walked another 15 minutes up the hill, only to find out the race had started, not only that, all 30,000 runners had gone - completely disappeared out of sight into the distance. I remember struggling to get my shell suit off quick enough to be able to catch the stragglers up. I was finally clapped off by a few policemen who were just off home after an early shift helping to organise the marathon. Shella still laughs at my finishing time but 45mins of it during that early part of the race were spent on the lav! I'm quite proud. I managed to catch up with the rest of the runners after half an hour but admittedly it was a lonely run to begin with.
A young and rather pale looking me in 1994
So don't be surprised if Shella turns up at the church on the wedding day before me because when you've gotta go, you've gotta go!
We’re getting plenty of RSVP’s to the wedding now. We’ve made it as easy as possible for people by being able to respond online. I mean, who is incapable of filling out their name and clicking a box to say they’ll be there? Well, I give you one person...Robbie Shearman. I received a text from him last night to say he’d tried and failed to accept his wedding invitation and asked how exactly how he goes about doing it. I think I might have to send round my 8 year old nephew, Pageboy Joshua to give him a computer lesson. Even another friend, Danny Kyle asked if I could RSVP for him as he’d ‘never get round to it’, so I ended up registering for him on his mobile whist sat in the pub having a beer.
Technology huh? Whatever next? Maybe I’ll be registering my mum online whilst having a bit of that ‘me’ time i mentioned.
Don't forget you can still sponsor us for the London Marathon. Here's the link to do so online - it only takes a few minutes and remember to tick gift aid:
www.bmycharity.com/matthewstorey
www.bmycharity.com/shellasmith
