Marathon Accomplished!

Sexagenarian completes London course for the Hospital

On behalf of all of our patients and staff, Jerusalem Scene would like to extend a huge thank you to 62 year old Hugh Saville of Twickenham, Middlesex, who power walked the 2011 London Marathon in April in order to raise an impressive £2,160.00 for the Hospital Group.  Here, Mr Saville describeshis experience: 

When I heard I had a place in the London Marathon, it was an easy decision to raise funds for the Eye Hospital, as I am a keen supporter.

The letter confirming a marathon place inevitably invokes mixed feelings – elation, panic, dread and the knowledge that much time will be spent training for the big day. Though I am a power walker, proper training remains absolutely vital, and I did much of mine using routes incorporating Richmond Park because it is a nice place to be, it has some demanding hills, and it’s not far from my home. Early on, it was still mid winter with harsh frosts, rain and blustery winds, but moving into February and March, the arrival of Spring was soon apparent and training conditions became increasingly pleasant.

The weeks immediately before a marathon are vital. My “big walk” (20 miles) was three weeks beforehand, and then training tails off after that as the body is rested for the event itself. Inevitably every tweak and twinge causes concern, and preparations become more intense.

Marathon Day on 17 April dawned grey but warm, and by 7.30 am I was on a train for London, along with many other competitors. I arrived at Blackheath in Greenwich at 9.00 and soon was preparing for the start. I have never seen so many competitors at a race start and it was 15 minutes before I crossed the line.

There’s no way to describe participation in a marathon. I did Chicago in 2006, but London was very different. There wasn’t a place where people weren’t cheering us on, the noise was deafening (especially around Tower Bridge) and it got really hot – too hot! I began to struggle when in Docklands, but I made it to the finish – six hours and 21 minutes after I’d started – exhausted but pleased! Will I do another one? Hmmm, perhaps!!

Hugh Saville