"I DID IT"

My Day started at 6am, I didn't really sleep much that night.  Arrived at Charing Cross Station 8:05am boarded a packed train to Greenwich. 8:30 arrived at Greenwich and now commenced the long and slow walk to my red starting zone, but first I had to make my way through the many thousands of runners their family and friends that also came to wish their loved one's good luck!.

9:00am arrive at my red zone bin number 9, here I was to stay until the race officially started. Pre race warm-up essential. 9:30am I had done all I could and I was ready, a small prayer and thoughts of my dearest family, friends and colleagues I was blessed to be here standing on what is such a great event.

9:45am The 2009 London Flora Marathon begins, the thousands of people ahead of me start to walk through the park to the start line. 10:10am I officially pass the start line along with my running partner, Hayley Griffin, who was also running for Leukaemia Care.

From the start line to the finish line we was embraced with well wishers who inspired us on and gave us strength when we thought we couldnt take another step. At various points of the race I felt an overwhelming amount of strength through the cheers, clapping and kindness in offering drinks, sweets and cakes. Mile 12 for me was great as I saw my darling Denise. We continued our battle through to mile 20 and from there on it became more difficult, but once again the crowds cheered us on, we some how found strength to continue. When we reached mile 25, my dearest family was cheering with the portuguese flag, with tears coming down my face I contuned to run as the end was in sight. As I approached the finish line with 600 meters left I see my darling Denise and family again, emotions fill me, the end was here. Hayley and I both start to cry as we run through the finish line WE DID IT I shout!. 6 hours and 2 mintues was my time. The rest as they say is history, a day I shall never forget for as long as I live.

THE RACE MAY HAVE FINISHED BUT THE FUND RAISING IS STILL ALIVE AND KICKING - PLEASE KEEP YOUR DONATIONS COMING IN - THANK YOU.

******************************************************************************************

Hello,                                                                                                     

Thank you very much for visiting my justgiving page and sponsoring me for the 2009 Flora London Marathon.

As some of you will already know me, I am Joe Olival and my life was turned upside down and changed forever in January 2006, when I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL).

For 3 years I have battled to overcome this condition and it has certainly provided me with many challenges not to mention the stress and anxiety it has caused me, my dearest family and friends. Through the outstanding strength and commitment from my fiancée, Denise, all my family, friends and my employers, Renault UK, I would not have gained this overwhelming strength and courage to fight CLL.

I made the decision whilst watching the London Marathon last year to do something positive and raise money for a very worthy charity Leukaemia Care so I entered the ballot, to my delight got accepted and now the really hard work in training begins!

My aim is to raise as much money as possible, complete the marathon, get fit in the process and help others like me to make CLL a thing of the past.

With all my heart I thank you for your ongoing support and generosity.

God bless!

Joe

**********************************************************

NEWS TOPICS

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/search/4114966.Leukaemia_sufferer_prepares_for_London_Marathon/ 

http://www.myabbots.co.uk/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,110/  Page32

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Leukaemiachroniclymphocytic

**********************************************************

                                     **MY TRAINING PROGRESS**

17.01.09 - 10 miles completed in 2hrs 43mins.  Up until now I have been focussing on increasing my fitness levels by completing short runs (approx 3-4 miles every other day). Today was the first time I focussed on distance and it was challenging!

25.01.09 - 15 miles completed in 3hrs 55mins.  Today was a real test, not only was it the longest I have ran but it rained the whole time which made it tougher. Feeling tired but looking forward to the 20 miler!! Watch this space....

01.02.09 - 10.5 miles completed in 1hr 59mins.   Decided to do an intense 10 miles up and down country lanes. Tough up those hills however pleased to report I cut my time by 44 mins with non stop running. It was valuable having my personal trainer who took me through my paces, thanks Gary!

08.02.09 - 8 miles completed in 1hr 20mins.   Nice fast pace run today, ground very icy in places but otherwise lovely sunny day. Ran through the countryside, Whippendale Woods, Cassiobury Park. Ran on my own today, for the first time, felt a little strange but I had my iPod to keep me on the move. I am increasing my pace and reducing my time gradually!

22.02.09 - 8.5 miles completed in 1hr 40mins.   My Running partner decided to take me through my paces today up and down hills, it was tough but I completed evey challenge. Muscles are tender this evening, but it was all worth it. No pain no gain!. On another note the fund raising is going extremely well, thank you again and lets try to reach the £2K milestone.

1.03.09 - 8.5 miles completed in 1hr 30mins.  Today was a lovely day the sunshine was out and a good run overall, improved my time by 10 minutes.  Please keep your donation's coming in, the 2k is closer than ever. Thanks a million to all of you who have supported me so far.

11.03.09 - 7.5 miles completed in 1hr 31mins.  I decided today to run of road at a steady pace. I ran along Hunton Bridge Canal and all the way through into Cassiobury Park back up to Whippendale Woods into the Grove Hotel and back home. The sun was shining, glorious!

16.03.09 - 7 miles completed in 1hr 27mins.  Lovely sunny day... Ran through Hunton Bridge Canal into Cassiobury Park back to the Grove hotel via Whippendale Woods and up Hunton Bridge Hill to home. Really good run. "Only 5 weeks until the big day!... I'm really excitied.

29.03.09 - 17.25 miles completed in 3hrs 19 mins. Today was the most challenging yet. Very tough day, I was aiming to do 15 miles or 3.5hrs which ever came first. When I reached 15 miles I felt good and decided to push myself a little further. Very pleased with the result. Spent the evening recovering with plenty of aches and pains! Marathon day here we come...

19.04.09 - 5 miles completed in 1hr 11mins.  Lovely sunny morning, gentle run through the country lanes and fields. only 1 week to go and I'm very excited. Lets try and boost the donations to a record amount!. I am forever grateful to all of you for every bit of support you have and are going to provide. Thank you and god bless.