Post-Marathon update (May 5, 2019):

Last Sunday (28 April) was a **great day** and I have all you to thank -- your good wishes, messages, cheers along the course, donations to Whizz-Kidz, prayers, mantras, and good advice provided all manner of support. I can't tell you what a difference it made to me, and by extension to the recipients of your spirit and generosity. Yay! #ThanksaBillion!

It was a very happy and positive day. Yes arduous, but happy. The weather was perfect (cool, overcast). Crowds were exceptional -- London is the best. Running felt good, until the predictable stomach stuff in Canary Wharf (pfft), and then walk-running felt dandy. Peter and Phil -- and Coach Phil -- in the grandstands as I powered down The Mall to the finish was a bonus. (Oh yes, 5h41m. I'm happy with that.)

It meant alot to see people (Louis, Linnaea, Alex, Phil, Peter, Claire, Julia, Dahlia, Nick, Jeff, and to almost see Heather, Jill, Carmen, Antoaneta, and Catherine).

Live music along the way: brass band, big band, jazz band, Salvation Army band, steel drums, bagpipes, reggae, r&b, rap, rock'n'roll, Elvis...Crowds were super -- my favorite section was the energetic and confetti-filled stretch on Commercial Road made memorable by Run Dem Crew. The best.

My 10th London Marathon personal focus was the heart and how it gets you through. Halfway along I overtook a guy running with a huge bouquet of 110 helium-filled red heart-shaped balloons running for the British Heart Foundation. He talked to everybody along the way, which is how I asked him how many (110 is for the number of people who die each day in the UK from a heart-related illness).

Heart-balloon Simon was one of thousands who were running for charity, and who together -- with yourselves -- have now raised over 1 billion for charities since the marathon's start. And all of you, over the past 10 years, have been major contributors to Whizz-Kidz. That's several dozen kids with wheelchairs and opportunities.

Thanks a billion from me!

xx Colleen

Earlier this year...

Hi colleagues, friends and family,

I'm back! Running for a great charity that you all have contributed to so generously over the past 10 years. Your contributions, and cheers and hugs on the day, have kept this slow runner going. And going. And it keeps kids whose lives have been changed by something as simple as a bespoke wheelchair provided by Whizz-Kidz moving forward -- playing with friends, attending university, having a job, having fun, having a full life.

Thanks for any and all support! It is so appreciated. Watch for updates and new pix here.

xx Colleen

NB: Donating through JustGiving is straightforward, your details are secure, and the money you donate goes directly to the charity.