Story
11 Novemeber 2008
Phew, its over and what an amazing experience it was. Long is perhaps the best description, and particularly hard just after 20 miles. But worth every bit of the effort. The New Yorkers were fantasitc in their support and in particular a few lines stuck out:
"Come on Sparks, get Sparky!" - at 21 miles. a huge encouragement at a very tough time.
"Count the traffic lights, only three more to the top!" - on the steady incline up to Central Park at about 24 miles.
I finished in 4hours 37 minutes 56 seconds and have raised (and it is still going up) an awful lot of money for Sparks.
THANK YOU x
30 October 2008
Off tomorrow, as ready as I'll ever be and a mixture of nerves and excitement. Next time I log in it will be over, I'll have the t-shirt and we (Sparks and I) will be thankful for your immense support.
I will do my best to be immense!
20 October 2008
Less than two weeks to go - I can't believe it!
Thanks so much for your incredible support; Mick now says I must have set my target too low, and hopes I haven't done the same with my running. I don't think I have, £1500 is a massive achievement and as for my running, I thought taking on the marathon distance was challenge enough. But if it helps to reach £2200 - I'll take on a time and try to finish in under 4 1/2 hours.
PS Training may be easing off now, but just so you are fully aware, I do feel sick every time I think of it!
20 September 2008
Running 26 miles, I'm not sure...
Is it the start of a mid-life crisis, or a tortuous effort to lose weight? Do I want to compete with my children, either for some Me-time, or just to prove that I can run further than them? Or is it the desire for some form of emotional therapy at the expense of my physical health....?
I don't know if its any one of the above or a little bit all of them, but what I do know is that training for a marathon is very hard work and takes a little bit more time than I have.
So it makes sense to let someone else benefit from all the hard work, and Sparks was the obvious choice. I care about children and their health, and as a mum of four have been personally touched by paedeatric health. Plus, my family and I have all had a great deal of fun from sport, so it seems fitting that sport should be used to help others too.
So wish me luck and thanks for your support x
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