DID IT!!!!

Official time is 2 hours 4 min 11 seconds.  Out of 12,500 runners I finished 5154. Considering I started near the back, thinking I'd run it in 3 hours ....... I overtook around 6-6,500 runners!!   It was as tough as I thought it would  be but very happy with the time and position.  Great experience.  Won't do it again!!  Brilliant weather, wonderful camaraderie with other runners and fantastic supporters.  Loved being in the community of Hackney.  Thank you very, very much to all who have donated to this fantastic charity.  I'm still collecting money in so please keep donating!  Love Silk xx

**UPDATE** Tues 27th May

A big thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

Training is going well but could  be better!! Not got the time to get anymore than 5 miles in, and only once or twice a week.  Walking the dogs 2  hours every  morning then legs are too knackered for running!!

Lost a over a stone in weight thou!  Having a few days away soon, somewhere hot .... where I can run every morning and evening ..... so fit in a couple of  hours running a day. I love running in the heat and need to get rid of an extra 7lb ...... is needed to run the 13  miles in only 3 ½  weeks!

This is something I’ve always wanted to do when I finished playing football.

I am running a half marathon to raise money and awareness for Beating Bowel Cancer,  NSPCC, and Prostate Cancer  on Sunday 22nd June 2014 at Hackney Marshes, London.

A half marathon?  13 miles.  Not too hard for The Silk, but at 61 years old this will be the first (and  probably  the only!!) ‘marathon’ I’ll ever do!  You might already know that  many years ago I was a professional footballer.  But a lot of time has passed since then.  In my head I’m still 30 but my legs know otherwise!!

Hackney was pretty much my home ground when I was growing up in the East End. I played many games as a youngster on the Marshes and I was at Leyton Orient F. C. for 4 years and spent many Saturdays at Hackney Wick Greyhound Track in the summer.

Training to start on 1 March 2014.  I aim to complete the distance in around 3 hours.  I have pledged to run the whole way and I don’t intend to stop and walk.  Hoping my legs won’t tell  me differently!

I chose Beating Bowel Cancer because Ally,  my ex-wife, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer last year and has been battling the disease since January 1 2013.  Her strength and determination to beat this disease is second to none.  Ally became a ‘Voice’ for Beating Bowel  Cancer and this charity have provided her with information and support she has been so grateful  for.

When I was a player I used to visit children in hospital and have always championed the rights for children to be kept safe from harm.     Hence my continued support o the NSPCC.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Link Link to the NSPCC Just Giving site: http://www.justgiving.com/Barry-Silkman1

Prostate cancer  is becoming man's biggest enemy so any money spent on supporting and reseaching this cancer is going to help save lives.                                                                                                            Link to the Prostate Cancer Just Giving site: http://www.justgiving.com/Barry-Silkman2

It would be great  if you  came along on the day and cheer me (and other runners) on.  Put the date in your diary.  Sunday 22 June 2014. 7 days before my 62nd  birthday. Bring a birthday present of breathing apparatus!

Address is ........ Hackney Marshes, Homerton Road, London E9.

Ally is going to put together a picnic for family, friends, and supporters for the day and you can email her at office.admin@barrysilkman.comfor more information

With my daughter Keenia, we recorded a version of 'SMILE' to keep up her Mum's spirits as she enters her 2nd year battling and fighting.  Keep smiling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrLW2bPwZVY

Finally, if anyone wants to join me -feel free (but you're not allowed to  beat me)!  Register at www.runhackney.com 

www.beatingbowelcancer.org

www.nspcc.org.uk

www.prostatecanceruk.org

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.