One Stop Record Shop’s editor is running the London Marathon for Help Musicians UK. Here she rambles about the enormous challenge, non-existent orgies with Take That and the impending Russian cold front…
Let’s start things off by saying I’m anything but a seasoned marathon runner. I love a lie in, would bathe in chocolate daily if it were financially viable and instantly picture drum kits not fitbits when I hear the abbreviation BPM. Working in an industry where late nights and tight deadlines are considered the norm, nutrition tends to go out the window in place of alcohol – a substance pretty much considered the 6th major unsung food group.
That’s not to say I’m facing impending liver failure or attempting to join the infamous 27 club. Tales of face-melting acid trips and outlandish orgies with the ageing remnants of Take That? Not part of my repertoire, I’m afraid. Even my lengthy stint at art college saw us fail to fully resurrect the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll. What I’m trying to get across here is that I’m no athlete. I’m an everyman whose fitness schedule is crammed into the crevices of London life. I have a strong track record of running just far enough to justify dessert, with anything beyond that resulting in me feigning injury quicker than a premier league footballer.
Needless to say, the thought of being tucked up in bed ahead of a dawn workout, breakfast prepped and gym gear arranged, sounds like my idea of a nightmare. Yet, this horrifying vision has become my reality over the past few months. And as much as it pains me to type this, it really isn’t all that bad.
What began as a 3am debate in an East London chicken shop soon turned into a genuine curiosity about the world’s most renowned marathon. I found myself googling ‘slowest course times’ and pondered whether Paula Radcliffe was really the first runner to turn a curb into a restroom. When you overlook the heart attacks and sudden deaths, the concept of pushing your body to the limit really doesn’t seem all that bad. After all, you get a fancy looking medal at the finish which basically proves to people your not just another entitled millennial.
“I might as well enter the ballot,” I told myself, “it’s not like you’ll ever be picked”. And picked I was not. Turns out I missed the entry deadline because I was hungover. So, having put the idea out of my mind and returned to my eat, sleep, gig, repeat routine, it was something of a surprise when January arrived and I was offered the chance to not only gain a place, but run for a charity close to my heart: Help Musicians UK. Raising money for charity whilst stuffing my face and losing weight? Now that’s something I could get on board with.
On a side note, if anyone has Stormzy’s number, could they let him know I’ll be expecting a personal appearance on the day (and a performance of “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2”)?
As a charity, Help Musicians UK have played a vital role in the careers of some of your favourite artists. From honing their craft with grants and development assistance (find out more here) to the launch of their 24/7 mental health hotline, HMUK are supporting the music industry every step of the way. On a side note, if anyone has Stormzy’s number, could they let him know I’ll be expecting a personal appearance on the day (and a performance of “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2” featuring a full choir)?
As this ramble goes live, I find myself staring at a countdown clock. There are less than 24 days to go until the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon and although I’m eagerly anticipating race day, the fear is creeping in quicker than the current Russian cold front. Ahead of me lie 26.2 miles of pavements, crowds and lethargy – the true reason Sir Winston Churchill coined the phrase ‘blood, sweat and tears’. (Please don’t google that last bit, I made it up because it seemed to add a stoic touch to proceedings).
The reality is, I’ll need the support of each and every one of you to cross that finish line. As a blog fostering emerging musical talent, One Stop Record Shop does its bit to help raise the profiles of passionate musicians – all with next to no funding. It’s a labour of love and we’re in it for the music. That being said, if you’d like to give back (not to us but to this worthy cause) it would mean the world if you could pledge what you can to Help Musicians UK. Whether it’s £5 or £50, your donation makes a MASSIVE difference to the lives of those in the industry, so please click and donate whatever’s trapped down the back of the couch (I’m hoping you’re reading this whilst sat in a business class lounge or 5* hotel).
