Story
<p><em><span style="color: #000000;">*** <strong>Still collecting raffle money from the pub quiz but I am thinking about £800! Thanks to Fran, Chris, John & Paul for their help. Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting me! ***</strong></span></em></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000000;">*** <em>We raised £1, 140 at the bag pack. I have put £345.50 on my JustGiving page and the other £794.50 has gone on Bridgeen's page at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Bridgeen-Smith">www.justgiving.com/Bridgeen-Smith</a> ***</em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #000000;">*** Thanks to my friend Mairead Conlon for organising a Poker Night which raised £150! ***</span></em></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I have decided to participate in the 2011 Virgin London Marathon in support of Cancer Research UK.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">After running my first 10k race in 52 minutes (please see rare photo to the left), I was extremely motivated to become a better runner. Even though it was only 10k, the feeling of accomplishment was so great (and addictive) that I have now decided to take my running to the extreme and complete a full marathon.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">My Mum was diagnosed with hypernephroma (kidney cancer) which was primary and then with bone cancer which was secondary. She sadly past away over 5 years ago at the age of 54. I have obviously struggled with this loss but have now learned to live with it and accept it. I am obviously biased but she was an amazing woman who loved life, had great style and was totally selfless.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Cancer Research’s work has saved millions of lives in the UK and across the world. Over the next decade they aim to save many more – but they need our help to make that possible. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Cancer Research are entirely funded by donations from the public. Your support will help Cancer Research achieve their vision of beating cancer.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Here are some examples of what your donation can do:</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">£10 could buy 300 glass slides for studying cells and tumour samples in detail under the microscope. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">£100 could equip four scientists with a lab coat and a pair of safety goggles. These help protect against harmful chemicals and prevent experiments from getting contaminated.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">£500 could fund one cancer information nurse for four days. Our experienced cancer information nurses provide a confidential service for anyone with concerns about cancer. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">£1,000 could cover the basic costs for ten women to take part in a clinical trial testing a new way of giving hormone therapy to improve the treatment of breast cancer.</span><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p>I have a target of £2000 to reach in order to participate in this event and I plan to organise other activities to help me raise the money such as a poker night, pub quiz and packing bags in Tesco. If you can’t donate money but could a gift this would be greatly appreciated to raffle at my pub quiz event. </p>
<p>I am completely dedicated to this challenge and would love to complete the London Marathon (all 26.2 miles) in 5 hours or less.I will up-date my JustGiving page with run distances and times and I’ll remind everyone nearer the time about the pub quiz. </p>
<p>Thank-you so much for your support! <strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 18/10/10</strong> = 18 miles (Week 1 of 23) </p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 01/11/10</strong> = 17 miles (Week 2 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 08/11/10 </strong>= 11 miles (Week 3 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 15/11/10</strong> = 19 miles (Week 4 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 22/11/10</strong> = 10 miles (Week 5 of 23) 27/11/10 The Joe <strong>Seeley Cup</strong> 10K road race completed in 49 minutes</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 29/11/10 </strong>= 18 miles (Week 6 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 06/12/10</strong> = 18 miles (Week 7 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 03/01/11 </strong>= 25 miles (Week 8 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 10/01/11</strong> = 21 miles (Week 9 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 18/01/11 </strong>= 16 miles (Week 10 of 23) Ran a half marathon on 22/01/11 Time 2:00:30 - ouch!</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 24/01/11</strong> = 23 miles (Week 11 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 31/01/11</strong> = 27 miles (Week 12 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 07/02/11 </strong>= 20 miles (Week 13 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 14/02/11 </strong>= 30 miles (Week 14 of 23) Tried to run 17 miles on the Saturday but had to stop after 14.5 miles - in agony with left foot!</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 21/02/11 </strong>= 15 miles (Week 15 of 23) Left foot and knee very sore</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 28/02/11</strong> = 32 miles (Week 16 of 23) I ran 20 miles on 04/03/11 from Belfast to Ards, Ards to Bangor, Bangor to Holywood. Found it really tough but delighted I have it under my belt.</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 07/03/11</strong> = 30 miles (Week 17 of 23)</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 14/03/11 </strong>= 25 miles (Week 18 of 23) I ran the Larne Half Marathon 19/03/11 in 1 hr 53 mins!</p>
<p><strong>Week commencing 21/03/11 </strong>= 32 miles (Week 19 of 23) Ran 18 miles on 26/03/11 with Bridgeen. Gorgeous weather and felt really fit! Pub quiz on Sunday night so has been a tough week working, training and organising.</p>