Hi everyone,

I have just completed the Run to the Beat half marathon which was at the O2 on Sunday 26th September 2010.  I know that the date on here says I am doing it this weekend but in true Esther style I did it back to front and am fundraising after the event..... actually it's not such a bad thing as when I signed up to run for the Brain and Spine foundation it hadn't affected me personally, I just felt it was a good cause.  Since then my mum has developed a very rare nerological disorder which has been causing her a lot of distress with the varied and unpredictable symptoms.  The medication takes a long time to get right and leaves her feeling really down.  Hopefully any money raised will help in the research and treatment of conditions not really fully understood.

My journey leading up to the half marathon started when I thought it was a good idea for Danielle and I to run a 10K race!!!  We did and poor Danielle spent the whole race thinking she was going to throw up, it was the middle of summer (we had some really good weather that day!) really hot, sunbathing or generally passing out weather really, certainly not one to go racing.   We received a momento of the day which was a really tacky "trainer" ornament (used in the loosest term) which we display proudly just behind the TV, that way we can see it but no one else can so in pursuit of a medal the only choice was to "go for the half".

 

Training went well apart from a month off due to a pulled muscle and a learn to row course + regatta in the middle.  Unfortunately in the week leading up to the race I had a rubbish headachey sort of virus and was convinced I wasn't going to be able to compete, even on the morning of the event I wasn't sure but I hadn't even tried to get to the O2 yet..........

That journey was fraught with trauma, tantrums and tears but eventually I did get there........... only to queue with the other 17,000 competitors for the toilet, bag drop off, and just a general queue given that we are british........ however in the end we did get started and I managed to finish in 2hrs 28 mins which for my first time I felt was quite a respectable time (apart from the "well they do full marathons in that time" for which a smack with a scarf was well deserved).  I will post some photos if any appear from race day otherwise I will put a photo of my highly prized MEDAL on here.

Any donations however small will be really appreicated!!!

 

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