Update 27th April 2009 Well I did it! It took longer than planned (7.01 instead of 5.5 -6 hours) as I had so many butterflies I couldn't eat on the morning so lacked energy, my injury played up and it was very hot. But I had to keep going there was no option of pulling out - though I did think about it many times! Looking back I don't quite know how I managed it, it was really tough, much tougher than my training runs, the longest of which had been 20 miles. I did end up having to do a lot of walking. But there were many others in the same boat, and I buddied up with one of them, Kelly, and we saw each other through tears and pain to get to the finish line! Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

I'm running the 2009 London Marathon in aid of St Catherine's Hospice, Crawley, in recognition of the excellent care they gave my aunt Sandra during and at the end of her illness and her life in 2005. I'm also doing it for everyone who knew and loved her, in her memory.

The pictures below and on my flickr site are of Sandra when she was well and also when she was ill.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: St Catherine’s Hospice (Crawley) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Any donation large or small is valuable to St Catherine's. Just £3.50 covers the cost of overnight essentials for patients. £45 enables a patient to attend Day Hospice and the range of activities they can enjoy and benefit from. £100 covers the cost of a home visit and follow up support by a specialist community nurse. For more information about what St Catherine's can offer patients and their families, please visit their website www.stch.org.uk/ If the link isn't working please just copy and paste it into your browser

So please sponsor me now and give as generously as you can! Thank you so much !!!!

Claire xxx

Update February 2009
I have started a blog so that all my actual and potential sponsors can keep up to date with my training and hopefully offer me some encouragement when the going gets tough. The link is http://www.realbuzz.com/blogs/u/ClaireJBJ/my-marathon-training-experience/.  If the link isn't working please just copy and paste it into your browser. You can also keep up to date with my training on facebook - you can find me as Claire Jones.