I can see pints everywhere at the moment. I’m not touching a drop from now until Marathon Day which is on Sunday so I really should be able to manage.

I know I’ve been a bit quiet in the last few weeks so thought I’d do a full update as we’re only days away from the finish. My nerves are real now and for the first time I feel excited. It’s been so long away for ages. I can run for 3 hours non-stop now – and hopefully more on Sunday – something I have never been able to do before.  26.2 miles is a heck of a long way and I know that it’s going to be very difficult. I’m not making an predictions on time because I know it may take me longer than I think.

Now that I’m a week away I’m concentrating on enjoying it. Whether I am nervous or don’t feel ready doesn’t matter now. I am doing the marathon so I might as well soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the day. Music really helps. Over the last few months I’ve been swapping and changing my iPod playlist. This is the final version. Depending on what mood I’m in I skip through the odd one but it’s pretty much perfect for me. A bit of cheese, some big Oasis and Kasabian tracks to keep me going and some other adrenaline classics. The ones I’ve starred are the ones that give me the biggest adrenaline rush. When they come on and I’m running the adrenaline coarses over my back and right over my neck and head like pins and needles. It gives me another few minutes of energy each time as well as making me giggle:

Marathon playlist

Fascination – Alphabeat

I bet you look good on the dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys

Complicated – Avril Lavigne

Gimme More – Britney Spears

Jerk it out- Caesars

Hey Girl Hey Boy – Chemical Brothers

Tubthumping – Chumbawumba

* Fratelli Chase – Goonies Soundtrack *

Money for Nothing – Dire Straits

Fix Up, Look Sharp – Dizzee Rascal

Dance Wiv Me – Dizzee Rascal (feat. Calvin Harris)

Lose Yourself – Eminem

Call on Me – Eric Prydz

Right Here Right Now – Fatboy Slim

* Don’t Stop Believin’ – Glee Cast *

Dare – Gorillaz

You’re the best around – Karate Kid Soundtrack

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Stronger – Kanye West

Club Foot – Kasabian

Processed Beats – Kasabian

Lost Souls Forever – Kasabian

* Underdog – Kasabian * (joint best song to run to)

Where did all the love go? – Kasabian

Fast Fuse – Kasabian

Vlad the Impaler – Kasabian

* Fire – Kasabian *

I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry

Human – Killers

Jenny was a friend of mine – Killers

* Lift Me Up – Moby *

Doctor Pressure – Moby

Rock Star – Nickelback

D’You know what I mean?  – Oasis

* My Big Mouth – Oasis * (used it as the theme tune to the Lock-In in Edinburgh. Pumps through me every time)

I hope, I think, I know – Oasis

Rock ‘n’ Roll Star – Oasis

Up in the Sky – Oasis

Columbia – Oasis

Supersonic – Oasis

Bring it on Down – Oasis

Cigarettes and Alcohol – Oasis

Slide Away – Oasis

* Fuckin’ in the Bushes (live) – Oasis * (joint best song to run to)

Enola Gay – OMD

Hey Ya! – Outkast

Because the Night – Patti Smith Group

I want it all – Queen

One Vision – Queen

* Ready to Go – Republica * (I do my own Sky Sports montage to this in my head)

Reach for the Stars – S Club 7

Lola’s Theme – Shapeshifters (another good montage one)

So Macho – Sinitta

Rhythm is a Dancer – Snap

Keep on Running – Spencer Davis Group

We built this city – Starship

* Eye of the Tiger – Survivor * (more montages galore)

Beautful Day – U2

Jump – Val Halen

* Baba O’Riley – The Who *

My number is 7984 if you’re watching.  By far the best place to watch it will be The Kings Arms on Tooley Street. It’s just before the turning for Tower Bridge. They’ll have DJs and a big grill outside. Last year they put on a brilliant afternoon and created a very special atmosphere indeed. They even won an award for how good it was from the London Marathon.

Before the big day there are a number of people I need to thank:

Will Sherlock – for making me do this in the first place and being one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. Will is one of my best mates and I have clung to his words for inspiration throughout the last few months. He’s one of the most selfless people I know, from one of the best families I’ve ever had the pleasure to befriend. To sponsor us go here: www.justgiving.com/sherlock-forde

Olivia Mudie – a friend I’ve made since moving to London who has supported me unwaveringly and at times forced me out of the house to go running in all weathers. She has had to suffer my moods and tantrums. If you would like to support her Olivia on Twitter go here http://twitter.com/mbtgirl or if you’d like to sponsor Olivia go here: http://www.justgiving.com/Olivia-is-going-for-it/

Jon Richardson - being held to account by the Northern Imp every Sunday helped keep me on track. He has also supplied me with various pieces of kit and Lance Armstrong’s book for inspiration. The worst thing about the radio show ending is that I don’t see him every week. Jon and I have been good friends for years and he’s helped me through some difficult times in the past, this has been no exception.

Since starting all this properly I’ve lost 2.5 stone and am down now to 14.5 stone. I always thought I’d just somehow magically lose weight. If I hadn’t have done this, it would never have happened. I’m still too big but have shifted the worst bit. It’s the  most exercise I’ve done for at least 10 years, if not more.

Regardless of what time I finish the marathon in, it has been a life changing  experience. I know I’ll keep running but for fun now and enjoy being able to run along the Thames and past Parliament of a Sunday.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me, to everyone who has sent supportive messages on Twitter or to the radio show and to everyone who has come up to me at a gig and had a word. Thank you too to all the people who’ve taken the piss, prodded my gut or choked on tea when I’ve told them I’m doing the marathon. My housemate Steve in one such friend and despite whinging about his stick, it’s all been part of the banter and enjoyment of doing it.

It has all helped.

Fordy x

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