London Marathon 2012 – The carb fest is now on!

‘Tapering’ week is in full swing before the big day on Sunday. Rob, Terry and I have been tickling a couple of small, 3-5 mile runs this week, and the carb and protein fest is now truly under way. Pasta, rice, fish, chicken, lots of fluids etc – packing it all in to burn it all off this weekend!

The hype is building for this year’s London Marathon: donations have been flying in nicely (but there is still more time to give!); the ITV news website today has reported on our progress (http://www.itv.com/news/london/2012-04-20/blinded-soldier-to-do-london-marathon); and now we have our running numbers, vests and time tags, we are good to go!

Lachlan, Rob and Terry pose with Blind Veterans UK wristbands

Modelling the Blind Veterans UK wristbands

I have been so proud to be training with Rob Long. His bravery and commitment to this race have been truly admirable. What makes this an even bigger weekend for Rob is the possibility that his wife Emily might be giving birth to their first child! I suggested that he simply keep running after the race to hospital, should he get the call.. Best of luck to you both!

Once again, thank you to all from Rob and myself for all the generous contributions and support. Please do pass on the word, and let’s continue raising money and awareness for Blind Veterans UK! See you at the finish line!!

Pushing through the ‘wall’ for the London Marathon 2012

Right. Game on. Rob, Terry and I smashed out our final long run yesterday, setting off East along the river from the Thames Barrier to just beyond Erith and back. The best bit about yesterday was realising how important it is to all of us that we encourage each other at those infamous ‘wall’ moments every runner hits at some point. It was also the first time we had run approximately three hours together, and we all know that concentration will be key in this long race. Only a couple of dramatic moments: realising our imminent proximity to the nearby driving range and potential as moving targets, and Rob ponderings on whether his morning smoothie and tuna sandwich would stay where it should.. (Sorry Rob – had to do it!)

Rob and Terry ready for next weekend

So this week, it is all about carbs, rest and staying physically tuned in preparation for the big day on Sunday. I just have to say a big ‘hats off’ to the guys for yesterday’s efforts – top drawer determination and drive – we have done the hard yards, so let’s just get to the starting line on time! Also, many sincere thanks to all those who have donated to either Rob’s or my justgiving account already, and please do continue to spread the word!

www.justgiving.com/rob-long2012

www.justgiving.com/lachlan-nieboer

I can’t wait for race day!

A week and a half to go – and I have to be honest, I can’t wait for race day. Having done a 10mile run with veteran Lance Bombardier Rob Long last week before Easter, and Lance Cpl Terry Desmond his good mate and sighted guide, I know we will be a good team together. Rob is a real star, and his energy for life and commitment to this long run has shown me that whatever we go through next Sunday, it will be worth it.

Terry, Rob and Lachlan in their Blind Veterans UK running kits

Terry, Rob and I in our Blind Veterans UK kit

I was recently asked to go to Los Angeles for potential work opportunities. The date to go was moved post-Marathon, and I know I won’t regret it. All that remains is for more people to go to Rob’s and my justgiving.com sites, and donate more please so we can raise our targets. And of course, a bit more training…

www.justgiving.com/rob-long2012

www.justgiving.com/lachlan-nieboer

Running on a windy evening!

‘YOU ARE MARATHON’

I have been meeting for a number of acting projects recently, which has meant that, since it is probably not best to hobble in wincing to meet the director for a part, I have confined training to evening time this week – not too bad a fact, considering the glorious weather! Have found a number of small, inspiring signs along the way, such as other runners – clearly pushing their limits in the parks – giving a nod and a smile as we pass for another lap; another sign was – scrawled in chalk on the footpaths around my park – the words ‘YOU ARE MARATHON’, and the sign ‘LOVE YOUR RUN’! Clearly, lots of people running at the moment are prepping for the big day on April 22nd, and it is getting closer and more exciting by the day.

Injury wise, well, let’s not think about that! But another inspiration was running in my new Blind Veterans UK t-shirt! I feel very proud to be donning this badge and having people see the new brand, and read the words ‘Life beyond sight loss’.

Donations are slowly trickling in now, so please do visit my page on JustGiving at http://www.justgiving.com/Lachlan-Nieboer

Running the London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening all!

My hectic work schedule since January has in all honesty been an impediment to regular training. That said, it has been going well, and physically, training this last month especially has been tougher than I thought it would be. But who said it would be easy? Marathon training is hard! Not so much in terms of my stamina levels, but from the physical endurance! As a lifelong cricketer bowling as fast as I could over the years, I have always had a niggling knee injury of one sort of another. Knee straps and supports, mixed with the odd painkiller are getting me through, but I am conscious of not doing lasting injury to myself!

Ready to run

That said, each time I run, I focus on the goal of raising as much awareness as possible for Blind Veterans UK, and that drives me on. Am looking forward to having a training session with fellow marathon runner Rob Long – a member of Blind Veterans UK who lost his sight thanks to an IED in Afghanistan.

My trainers!