Running out of excuses - my marathon year

13 Jul, 2017

Jon before taking on the Great Newham 10k at London's Olympic Park

Those that know me well will know that I've always been upfront and vocal that I'd never take on the London Marathon.

The reasons, I am sure, are by no means unique to me…

It's too far.
I'm not fit enough.
It's too much hard work.
It's not how I'd want to spend a Sunday morning.

But, and there's always a but, it's always weighed heavily on my mind.

The questions niggle away.

Is it really too far?
Am I really not fit enough?
How much work would it really take to train?
And actually everyone I know who has ever taken part has loved it.

Apparently it is the best day ever.

Somewhere in the back of my mind is a suspicion that to miss this opportunity would be to miss out, I'll confess it's a club I want to be a part of.

For anyone who has tried to enter, the ballot is usually the first hurdle, famous for ruining people's dreams year after year. However, this is not a problem I've ever had as I've never made the application!

When Sailors' Society stepped up with a guaranteed place I didn’t have any excuses left.

Finally it's game on; roll on April 2018.

Next month, read why Jon chose to run in aid of Sailors’ Society.

Jon Holloway is executive director at L&R Midland (UK) Ltd. He was an engineer cadet with BP Shipping, sailing with them up to the rank of chief engineer before he came ashore in 2001. He has worked in various shipping roles for BP Shipping, INTERTANKO and BG Group before taking on his current position.

He has been an ambassador for Sailors’ Society since 2007 and became a Sailors’ Society trustee in 2014.

Jon's running the London Marathon in aid of Sailors' Society and you can help him hit his target by clicking the button below.

Donate now and support Jon's fundraising efforts

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