I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m involved this year, or that the Virgin London Marathon is just exceptionally well-organised, but the lead up to this big event has been excellent.
From the e-mail newsletters, to magazines in the post, Twitter and various social media, to talks, to the Expo that is still talking place as I write this.
As a complete novice and running on my own, I thought I would dread the lead up to the marathon, not knowing what to do, where to go, what will happen, but as it turns out, I was wrong.
I’ve been constantly updated every step of the way, as a daily Twitter user, this has been the main source of information, not just from the London Marathon itself, but from KidsCan, the charity I am running for, as well as past runners. The regular e-mail updates are full of useful information that doesn’t feel like I’m being bombarded with complicated jargon. They even send you a magazine with the train timetables, and a map of the London Marathon route marked out where the pubs are (for spectators of course) so you don’t even have to think.
As a participant, this is great as it eases the pressure on my minute-by-minute plan of action which includes what exact time to have my breakfast, and what breakfast to have, but it made me think about how much I rely on the modern day technology.
And then it made me a bit sad.
Sad that soon enough, the next generation won’t know what a crisp new book smells like, the word ‘cassette’ will mean nothing to them and no one will ever leave the house without a mini tablet.
But we have to keep up with the 21st Century, and this is just our version of the development of a telegram. Perhaps we should just let go, and embrace the digital era.
Comments are closed.