Paul Swan - crazy but completely inspirational
I interviewed a terrific runner for a story on his attempt to break the world record for the fastest marathon run in a costume, and I was so blown away by his love of the sport that I wanted to give him another mention on this blog, writes Hannah Webster.
I interviewed a terrific runner for a story on his attempt to break the world record for the fastest marathon run in a costume, and I was so blown away by his love of the sport that I wanted to give him another mention on this blog, writes Hannah Webster.
The man in question is 48-year-old Paul Swan, a Pc based at Walsall police station. Now, I know he won't mind me saying this because many people have made the point to him before when they hear about how much running he does – he's crazy.
The amount of running he does is virtually insane. He runs 100 miles a week, and bearing in mind Paula Radcliffe runs 120 miles a week and she is an Olympic athlete who does not need to hold down a full-time job at the same time, we can all agree that Pc Swan is one of a rather select few.
A normal day for him on an early shift is getting up at 3.30am, going for a 10-mile run before his shift and then doing an "easy" seven-mile run afterwards. He has run every single day since December 6, 2009, a date which is now embedded in his mind and appears to have become an obsession, motivating him to keep running every day to see how long he can do it (forever, it seems).
Pc Swan's personal best time for a marathon is two hours, 29 minutes and four seconds, a personal record he set in his 20s, and last year he ran the 26.2 miles in two hours and 48 minutes.
Given that the world record for running the marathon in costume stands at just under five hours, I'm pretty sure he will smash the record to pieces at the Virgin London Marathon on April 17 when he is kitted out in his police uniform – helmet and all.
He is raising money for Cancer Research, so if anyone would like to sponsor him do click here
Interviewing people like Paul for my job as a reporter always gets me thinking about the inspirational things we humans can achieve if we put our minds to it. I can only gasp in awe at Paul's commitment.
Good luck Paul, you won't need it but you're sure to be virtually the only runner worrying about developing blisters on your head!
* I'm running the New York Marathon in November, with Sports Tours International, to raise money for Walsall Hospice. To book a place in the New York Marathon contact Sports Tours International by visiting www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk or telephone 0161 703 8161. Visit my fundraising page at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HannahWebster
