Oxfam runners’ London Marathon Guide
Phil Smith got an Oxfam Gold Bond charity place to run in the 2008 London Marathon. Here’s his experience of taking on one of the most famous challenges in the world.
My guide to the London Marathon
Last year was a very special one for me being an Oxfam supporter. I got to run the London Marathon, which was an incredible experience. And as an Oxfam shop volunteer I was lucky enough to see one aspect of how the money gets spent. So as well as my race-day experience, training tips and fundraising advice, I’ll briefly tell you about my trip to Mali.
Why run?
Question: Why would you want to run 26.2 miles?
Answer: For the reasons in my photo (above): the smug grin of achievement at the end! And, more importantly, to support Oxfam’s work.
This picture was taken at the Oxfam reception in the British Academy Building overlooking the finish line. It’s the end of six months’ training and fundraising, and a great occasion with Oxfam providing food, music and a massage!
Memories and Emotions:
A jazz band at mile three and a samba group near Canary Wharf: it’s a real carnival atmosphere.
Just before halfway, crossing Tower Bridge was my favourite moment; first sight of London centre, the crowds were deafening. I heard my family cheering me on which was incredible (let them know the best spectator viewing points).
Bizarre: teenage St John’s Ambulance volunteers wearing plastic gloves with dollops of Vaseline on them (for nipples).
Awkward moment: stepping on the back of some guy’s shoe and having to fetch it. It can get a bit crowded but most people are friendly.
Running near someone else called “Phil” who was really popular; I think he was a celebrity. Either way, everyone was cheering him and he was running faster as a result, and this made me keep going too!
Low: the rain at mile 18; it washed out my green hair dye.
Sugar high: I had a lucozade at half way and then ignored the next one; this was a good call because the one after that felt so good.
Running for a couple of miles with Scooby Doo.
Pain: about mile 20, my legs stopped bending properly – the last 6 miles were the toughest. I just kept thinking about stopping but kept on…
Seeing the finish line ahead and hearing fellow runners around me shouting with glee and final determination.
My trip to Mali
Running the marathon is about achieving a goal and also about supporting Oxfam. I’d like to tell you a bit about the second and my trip to Mali
Oxfam HQ in northern Mali
I went on another marathon journey - this time by car, following the River Niger in the Bourem district of northern Mali.
There is a map on the wall in the Oxfam headquarters in northern Mali. As you can see, it’s a hand-made effort. There are very few roads in this area, but – despite the lack of infrastructure - Oxfam’s drivers and logistics staff have successfully coordinated food aid and development work in these desert areas for over thirty years.
Education in N'tahaka
We began at N'tahaka village. In N'tahaka we met Balkissa Allisane, the director of the village school.
Since 2000, Oxfam has been working with parents in the community to raise awareness as to the benefits of education. She told us that, in 2003, there were only two classes, just 18 pupils. But with the work of Oxfam, there are lots of pupils, 238 in total!
Her classroom contains ‘Unwrapped’ desks – which can attract pupils and can improve behaviour.
Now the focus of Oxfam’s work is to help the school committee with advocacy and self-governance training – to help the community negotiate with the state over issues of funding and resources.
Women’s Associations in Bourem
In Bourem, we met with Women’s Associations working on garden and tree-planting projects.
Oxfam had given equipment – an irrigation pump for a vegetable garden, seeds and plants, buckets and spades – to enable these enterprises to begin.
These women had planted 3000 eucalyptus trees since 2005; they sell cuttings as spices and produce used in construction. With the profits, they can support the women who don’t have husbands or children; access to credit allows them to pay for healthcare should they need it.
The tree planting is also part of an anti-desertification programme to combat the increasingly-apparent problems of climate change.
Radio in Bamba
This picture was taken in the courtyard of Bamba’s local radio station (you can see the broadcasting attenae).
Oxfam uses the radio station to broadcast important messages of health and sanitation education; they have a weekly radio show and daily five minute ‘micro-programmes’ which take the form of “question and response” in the local language (Songhai).
In Bamba, Oxfam trains "relais" – women living within the community – in public hygiene, nutritional advice and sanitation education. Adding to the impact of the radio, these 'relais' then work with five households a month, bringing about changes in behaviour and disseminating information aimed at tackling the problems of malaria, diarrhoeal illnesses and malnutrition which can devastate such isolated Saharan communities.
As an Oxfam shop volunteer I got the opportunity to go on this trip to witness some of Oxfam’s work; it really reinforced to me the reasons why I put in all the efforts with the marathon fundraising that you are involved in now.
Top tips for the London Marathon
It’s a massive day, so much organisation & effort and spectacle. Get your fundraising, training and nutrition together and you’ll get to that finish line with a weary smile on your face.
Training advice
- You'll be doing a mixture of long trots, speed work and medium-distance tempo runs. For your long runs, find a partner to do it with. Takes away from the ominous boredom of jogging for two and a half hours. I got in touch with my old teacher from school who I used to run with. He has a great knowledge of 10 miles laps round the Lancashire hills, and also opened up more fundraising opportunities at my school.
- Before Christmas, I ran a bit ad hoc; after Christmas I stuck to a three months plan. So find a planner in a running magazine / online and do your best to stick to it. But, if you do miss a run, don't beat yourself up or give up on the plan. Remember rest days build up muscles!
- Start building up the long runs little by little. Don't up the mileage all in one week. I did! I joined a running club in mid February, ran about 70 miles in one week and got Achilles tendonitis. I couldn’t run for two weeks, and this was incredibly frustrating.
- Log your progress on 'mapmyrun' or a similar website – this is really motivating, to see how your times and achievement are mounting up...
Race-day tips
You will be given so much advice, this is what I found useful...
- Prepare breakfast the night before: I had pasta, porridge and some cherries. Before the race I had a banana.
- There will be a tide of runners doing the same thing as you; if worried or unsure of correct platform etc, ask people for help, as many have done the marathon before. But – DON'T FOLLOW SOMEONE TO THE WRONG-COLOURED START!
- It's very busy in St James' Park afterwards and mobile phone signal is often jammed – meet your family/friends at the very nearby Oxfam reception; you'll be wanting the massage, not wandering around looking for your Nan!
- Feet will be very sore and the like.
- Complete strangers will shout your name out in encouragement – which is immense. My favourite was a Londoner who said: "C'mon Phil, keep it clean!"
Have a watch to see your time at various miles; remember to start it when you go over the start line (sometimes this can take 10 minutes!).
If you're aiming for a specific time, wear a 'splits' wristband – these can be found at the Excel Centre Exhibition.
Phil's fundraising tips
- Send out a press release to your local paper – they love this sort of thing – send them a photo too
- If you get in the paper - cut out the article and put it beside a sponsor form/collection box at your work
Simon’s nutrition tips
Simon Rea is a Professional Nutritionalist and Sports Psychologist and here’s his tips for marathon runners.
- If it looks like it does in its natural state then eat it
- Always practice your eating and drinking routines so that you know what works for you
- Eat top quality food – anti-oxidants are vital to keep you healthy
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