Updated on Apr 22nd 2010 at 6:53 AM using the JustGiving iPhone app

3 days to go, aaaaaaarrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running (or crawling) the Virgin London Marathon on 25th April 2010.

This has got to be the scariest thing I have ever done, so all support will be welcome, not just on the fundraising side of things, although that's really important, but also just to get me through the training etc and around the course.

I am running firstly as a personal challenge, the feeling on crossing the finishing line must be fantastic. I've felt so emotional finishing smaller races, however hard this will be, the elation at the end has got to be worth all the work.

I'm obviously running to raise money for a great charity as well, which is where everyone else comes in.

I've picked AICR (Association for International Cancer Research) as my charity for a number of reasons, but most importantly because cancer is something that touches everyones lives. We all know someone, friends or family who have been affected by it, and although the word cancer does not have the same connotations it used to, it's only thanks to continuing research that lots of people we love are still around.

I've pledged the next 5 months of my life to getting myself into the shape needed to get round on the day, I'd be really grateful if others could just pledge a little to help me make my target. 

I'll be trying to update this as to how I'm getting along on my training, so watch this space!

Sarah

13/12/09    I've just looked at the calender and it's 19 weeks until the day, in fact, depending on the start time, I might have already made it through the finish line by now. Training is going ok at the moment. Luckily I've started from a good point having spent the summer training for my 5th Cardiff Half Marathon, so it's now all about upping the mileage from here on in. I've done quite a few runs in the last couple of weeks after about a month off, and I'm feeling good. 15 miles is the longest so far, more than half way. Now starting to think about nutrition, I've lost a decent amount of weight in the last month, but don't really want to lose much more, need to eat more if I'm going to be running off 1600 calories or more. Not too bothered about the cold weather, have the right gear, but worried about running if it's icy or snow but guess I'll have to deal with that when it comes. Motivation to get up and run is good, however today is a lazy day, just because I can, and there's more to life than just running, rest days are important too.

 

30/12/09

I've only done 3 runs since the last update, 2 of them half marathon distances, but it is Xmas, and a girls allowed to party sometime! I had to cancel one run due to the frozen snow and although I could see the wisdom of not injuring myself and losing out on 6 weeks of training, I felt restless all afternoon. Training starts again in earnest after the new year, but for now I've just kept up the distance I'm now getting used to. I did a great 13.1 mile run on a very cold sunday morning across the barrage and back and finished in less time than my finish time for last years Cardiff Half Marathon! And that's without the adrenaline of a race, and stopping at traffic lights etc. I feel the fittest I have been ever, and it can only get better from here on in. I did a 9.5 mile run around the park on Tuesday, and felt like I'd been for a stroll even after burning off 1000 calories. Now a few days off to welcome in the New Year and then it's back at the gym and back on the road again, I hope to do a 16 mile run on Sunday, but will have to see how the hangover and weather affect things. 

03/03/10

So obviously keeping up the training log worked! It's 2 months later and I'm not really sure how much further forward I am. I have had some good runs and some spectacularly bad ones. I've run through snow and ice and rain and hail and some of the coldest conditions around. Hearing that it's the coldest winter in 30 years was great, the best year to pick to train through the winter... Short runs are getting faster, long runs are getting easier, but I've not managed to push the distance that far. 18 miles has been the furthest, but some of that ended up being walking. I've done 16 about 3 times now, and 15 and under loads of times. I'm having problems with my stomach, knees, calves and feet, and also some interesting friction burns. It's difficult to judge the clothing at the moment due to the temperature, too little and I freeze, too much and once I've warmed up it's too hot. It's very windy and so wet clothing becomes very cold. I had a spectacular fall a few weeks ago, and ended up battered bruised and bloody with a dislocated finger.I've had to go to bed to warm up once home and I've sat and cried on a park bench convinced that it was time to quit, that I will never be able to do this. It's the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But there are 7 and a half weeks to go, loads more training to fit in, and hopefully I will soon be able to run with no gloves, and less than 3 layers of clothing. I am totally convinced that this is as much a mental battle as a physical one, and I am working on both aspects in my training. I will be terrified on the day, but the atmosphere will be fantastic, the level of support more than enough to lift anyones spirits, and I am totally committed to completing the toughest challenge of my life. I am now entering the hardest part of the training, the furthest runs, but whatever the next 53 days hold, bring it on!!

12/04/10

So, less than 2 weeks to go! The last 4 weeks have overall been pretty good. I've managed some longer runs, 20 miles 3 times, although a small amount of walking in those, and yesterday as part of the taper down, a great 17 miler running all the way. Midweek runs have been great now it's light after work, and loved the pouring rain as much as the summers eve. Finally feel that I can get to the end of this still upright and I can't believe how far I have come in the last 5 months. Two weeks ago I slipped on the steps at the back of St Davids Hotel and had to limp the 4.5 miles home and had a suspected stress fracture, but after a few extra days of rest I managed to run a lot of miles over the Easter weekend, so guess it's ok now! I think the only thing that will give me problems will be my knees, which hurt badly during most runs, but I'm learning to ignore them for now or I'll never do it. Everything else seems to be working out now, just need to dose up on ibuprofen, co-codamol, pepto bismol, and cover my feet with compeed plasters before a run and I'm away. I will be easing down for the next 2 weeks so as to be properly rested for the day, probably only 20 - 30 miles this week! It will be great to get some time back for myself, but will strangely miss it. Seems unbelievable to finally be this close after all the hard work, 13 days to go......

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