14/4/08

I’ve completed it, I have actually completed the biggest challenge of my life! It took longer than planned and I may of come in position 30000 approx, but crossing that finishing line I felt like I’d won and emotions overcame me! I won’t lie, it was tough, really tough, but the spectators were amazing despite the weather, which probably did mean the crowd was thinner than usual (or maybe that was because we were amongst the stragglers and the crowd had dispersed!) and they definitely kept us going, along with our family and friends rushing around to various points cheering us on. I hit the wall around mile 22, we only had 4 miles to go but I honestly didn’t know how I was going to put one leg in front of the other, somehow I managed it though.  The feeling of achievement, mixed in with relief that it was finally over is something I find difficult to put into words today. Maybe that’s because I’m tired, its only 8.00am as I’m writing this and I should be in bed sleeping today but I’ve hardly slept a wink, I’m not sure if this is the adrenaline from what I’ve done or the fact that my legs are hurting so much that every turn woke me with pain. Whatever it was, it is all finally over and I can have my life back. But, what do I do now? My life has been dedicated to the marathon since January and amongst the feeling of joy that I finally crossed the finish line, is a feeling of being lost, so I’ve done something possibly a bit silly this morning, something I can aim towards, I’ve registered for the 2009 London Marathon! Maybe I’ll regret this once I’ve had some time out and my brain gets back into full working order but honestly? I don’t think I will regret it, the whole day was well worth the hard training months and I would recommend it to anyone, as they say - impossible is nothing, all you have to do is look at me for proof of that!

11/4/08

After 3 long tiring months of training whatever the weather, the marathon is finally here. I knew I’d spoken too soon, as soon as I hit the taper weeks, I came down with injury after injury……. This has meant I’ve had to miss a couple of runs which has knocked my confidence just slightly, but, I WILL cross that finishing line, whether it be running, jogging, plodding, walking or even crawling, there is no way I’m missing out on a medal not after all that has been put in to the last few months, along with the huge amount of sponsorship I have raised!

So, my final words are:- Thank you all so much for sponsoring me and supporting me through these very trying months and if you get a chance to watch any of it on the TV, I’ll be the purple faced one clinging onto the railings and dragging myself along the route!

xx

18.3.08

Firstly I would like to say a big thanks to everyone that has sponsored me and supported both the charity and me through the last couple of tough months and now there is only 3 and a bit weeks left to go! EEEKK! My niece has informed me that under NO circumstances am I allowed to use her Heeleys as apparently that would be cheating, so I’ve had to revert to plan A which is run and run and run and run………… Obviously this hasn’t been easy on the body or the mind but so far I’ve managed to escape injury, (probably fatal saying that at this late stage!) and all is on track for the big day! This Saturday is our last extremely long run and then we have our taper weeks, which will be a nice rest and well deserved I think!

For those that haven’t yet sponsored me, there is still time and I will be coming to find you if I don’t see your name on the sponsor page! Just joking with you!

I will update my log again before the day but thanks once again for supporting me!

TTFN xx

10.2.08

There is now approximately 2 months and 2 days left until the marathon, what a scary thought! Our training programme is going to plan, however, I always new it would be physically tough, but I didn’t think about the mental side of it! Personally, I think running the marathon comes down to mental strength and this week has certainly tested me!

I had a bad run at Richmond Park last Sunday, the day when the photo for this page was taken. That was a laugh in itself, making sure the hair was right and the make up was done (yes, I was having my photo taken so had to be wearing makeup!), it was very cold and cars and cyclists kept getting in the way but eventually after getting frost bite on my fingers we finally managed it (Although the hair didn’t look good once I’d got home and checked out the photo!).

I think it was all this faffing around that caused me to have a bad run, I went on to have a bad run on Tuesday too, by which point I was feeling a little demoralised! Anyway, after a couple of decent night’s sleep, we went out on Thursday and I had a good run! Yippee! I felt positive again and we went to Richmond yesterday and even though I was feeling a little tired, I still had a fairly good run. So, I realised that from now on its no late nights and I will be able to keep my mental strength up (hopefully!). Or, as a last resort, I’ll be borrowing my nieces Heeleys, which I must remember to ask her if I use them…..

28.1.08

Hi everyone!

As you know and for those that don’t, I am running the London Marathon 08! You may be thinking ‘you are mad and why?’ as a number of people have said this to me and the answer is this: I have always dreamt about running the marathon but never thought it possible, I have half heartedly gone to the local gym for years but never tried running as I didn’t think I could! A few years ago, Tom (for those that don’t know, my other half!) persuaded me to give running a try, so I did and after running an 8 mile charity run, I decided the marathon was in fact possible. Why I thought that if I could run 8 miles, I could run 26, is anyone’s guess but here I am, attempting what I once thought, the impossible! As the training continues, I do question my sanity and if anyone can answer it, please do let me know!

I am running with my buddie Aimee and we have chosen a local charity, the Voluntary Association for the Surrey Disabled. They are based in Dorking, and supply disabled equipment along with a mini bus they hire out and also have a couple of cottages, built to accommodate people with disabilities. All of their money comes from fund raising and sponsorship and being only small, I thought it was appropriate to run for them as well as supporting a local charity.

Now, this is where you come in! Please help and support me to complete the biggest challenge of my life along with giving a charity their much needed support by making a donation towards my target, however big or small, every little bit will help me along my way.

I will be using this as my blog and updating it regularly so please visit my page,  and see how I’m getting on.

Best get back to training! Speak soon!

xx