27th April

What a fantastic time we had on Marathon Day! Great weather for runners and spectators and the crowds were just amazing - cheering all the way! I managed to run for 20 miles and then found the last 6 miles so hard so did have to walk a bit. My time:4hrs 38mins 08secs which I am pleased with! Huge thanks to everyone who has supported me, sponsored me and spurred me on and especially to my wonderful husband Hans. Thanks too to my family and friends who came to London to watch me and cheer me on the day. It was an amazing experience to be part of such a huge event. Every one of the runners had their own story and reason to run and raise money which was truly moving and inspiring. Hats off to those who did it in fancy dress - I overtook 4 rhinos, a tiger, a dog, a camel, the Flintstones, the Wombles, an apple, a banana, a tree, a couple in wedding gear (who actually got married at mile 20 and then finished the course!)a couple of men in Baywatch gear, several men in dresses, one in a Borat mankini and one in a thong!! Did get overtaken by a duck and a bear though! I will never forget the day. Was it worth all the training, all the blisters, aches and pains? - definitely yes! Will I do it again - yes I would love to...but just not yet!

Liz

x

PS Please don't forget to sign the organ donor register www.uktransplant.org.uk and talk about it with your family and friends - organ donation saves lives.

PLEASE SPONSOR ME!

I am running the LONDON MARATHON in April 2009

to fundraise for KIDNEY RESEARCH UK

The person who has inspired me to choose this charity is my amazing husband Hans.

Hans was diagnosed with renal failure at the age of 17 years. He has had a successful kidney transplant for 16 years which has allowed him to live a 'normal' life without continual dialysis. Unfortunately this kidney is now starting to fail and Hans will need a new transplant within the next year or so (hopefully to pre-empt the need for dialysis).

I would have gladly given Hans one of my kidneys but despite being blood group and tissue type matched I am unable to because I have a 'horseshoe' kidney (left and right joined together). So the next step is testing Hans's brother and sister as possible matches for live donation. If this is not possible then Hans will be on the waiting list for a donor organ. The process is like a rollercoaster ride, but we are lucky to be supported by family, friends and the Renal teams in Exeter and Plymouth.

Having attended recent hospital clinics with Hans it has opened my eyes to the number of advances in Renal medicine even over the past 2 decades. New techniques and drugs will help further towards improving quality of life for renal patients. None of this would be possible without vital research supported by KIDNEY RESEARCH UK .

So you can see, it is a cause close to my heart. Please sponsor me and help me to exceed my target of £1400.

As well as fundraising I have decided to go for the London Marathon because I've done several half marathons but I've always wanted to do a full marathon and I'd like to complete one before I'm 40 (Dec 2009)!

I've been running regularly for a while but the thought of 26 miles is slightly daunting! I am now up to 11 miles comfortably but will be upping the mileage over the next few months - so think of me in the dark mornings and the wind and rain - I will be out there whatever the weather! And Hans will be at home to make me a nice cup of tea on my return of course!

To find out more about the work of KIDNEY RESEARCH UK click onto www.kidneyresearchuk.org

Please also take a moment to consider registering with the ORGAN DONOR REGISTER at www.uktransplant.org.uk (it literally takes only a moment) and/or consider becoming a blood donor -  www.blood.co.uk

All donations welcome, however big or small!Thank you so much for your support - it will spur me on to the finish line!

Liz 

xx 

Update: March 2009

Eight weeks to go!!

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me so far with sponsorship and support with my fundraising events, and to my running buddies Jenny and Belinda.

Training going a bit slow at present due to coughs, colds and injury (but resolving). I am not setting myself a goal for time - just to finish it will be fantastic! Even if I have to walk I hope to get to the end!

Hans is keeping OK but has been a bit prone to infections over the winter months. We have results back from Hans's brother and sister, but sadly neither is a match. Hans is now 'live' on the Transplant Register, so fingers crossed that his wait for a new kidney will not be too long and that he keeps as well as possible in the meantime.

My greatest wish is that when he has a new transplant he will feel REALLY well again.

Liz

x

Update: one month to go!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped with and supported Curry Night in Kenton which raised a spectacular £850!! I've now upped my fundraising target to £2500!

Thank you to Rodean Restaurant, Mai Lei Takeaway / Chi restaurant, Heera International Foods Cash and Carry, and Mike and Sam for their donation of vegetables.

Special thanks to chefs Hans and Johnnie, and to Debbie for all her help and support and letting us use her kitchen as curry HQ! Also thanks to Laura and Aukje for posting flyers, to Martin, Belinda, Sam, Mike, Gill, Aukje, David and Tony for all their help in serving up, packing, delivering and washing up! And thank you everyone who lent us pots, pans and slow cookers!

Running is going OK now as my knee is no longer causing pain. Many thanks to Lisa at Exeter Physio for her optimism and help in getting me better. Belinda is taking me for my longest run this weekend - 18 miles!

As I write Hans is in Miami visiting his brother and getting some sunshine therapy and relaxation! Thank you to Hans's parents Carol & Martin, brother Christian, sister-in-law Alba and sister Suzie for helping Hans to do this.

Liz

x

PS Have you signed the organ donor register yet? Do it now!

www.uktransplant.org.uk

April 2009

Under 3 weeks to go! I have now completed an 18 mile run (thanks Belinda and Munch the dog) and a 20 mile run (thanks Jenny for keeping me going!) and I am still in one piece! This has boosted my confidence - almost there now! The long runs are exhausting and time consuming so I'm looking forward to getting my normal life back after the Marathon!

Thanks again everyone for your support and sponsorship, and thank you to my family who must be fed up with Marathon talk by now!

Liz

x

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kidney Research UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!