The BIG one – the one where therapists in their hundreds sign up and volunteer to attend and help out, hoping to make the list for the day.

I made the list and found myself at Luton loading onto a coach to reach London for 9am. I didn’t know what charity I was going to be helping or where I was going to placed. As the coach approached the drop off destination,  I was handed a sheet of paper. I had been given Macmillan Cancer Support as the charity that I would be helping that day. I won’t lie, there was a little bit of emotion more so because I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t been affected by cancer. In recent years I have seen cancer take the life of family members and a friend so this day meant a lot to me.

The security for the event is strict and protocols had to be followed. I was even more worried about the bench transport wheels damaging the historical, listed steps to the building where we were working from. The nerves had set in and anticipation on how the event would play out. I didn’t know how busy we were going to be but I was prepared as always. My kit bag consisted of peanut butter and jam sandwiches and sweets to give me energy during the day.

The first competitor entered the building, stepping down the grand steps into the hall where he was met with a huge round of applause from us the therapists, the volunteers serving refreshments and family members awaiting their arrival.

This happened as each competitor entered the hall, photos taken on the steps, balloons in the backdrop and medals being held up high in pride.

Treatments varied with many needing lower leg therapy. However unlike the Cambridge Half, the lower limbs did not look like they had run a marathon. I was impressed. The competitors had walked off and had a distance to walk to the venue so that when they arrived, the muscles were in the later stages of warming down.

I was asked throughout the day if I had ever run a marathon and I haven’t. Did this inspire me? The honest answer is no, I loved the day and listening to the inspiring stories but running for 4-5 hours is beyond my limit. I like helping those that do run and if I can form a small part of their recovery, then that is good enough for me.