Major changes to what I have planned for this year.  What started out as a couple of training runs building up to my first marathon has grown into 12 challenges in 2011.

 

So far I have 11 events either booked or in the planning stages for this year and include the following:

1	Edwinstowe 10km	January
2	Retford Half Marathon	March
3	Cycle to London	April
4	London Marathon	April
5	West Highland Way	May
6	Ben Nevis	June
7	Great North Swim	June
8	Yorkshire 3 Peaks	July
9	3 Peaks	September
10	Capernwray Triathlon	October
11	Santa Run	December

 

The Edwinstowe 10km was completed on the 9th January in a time of around 1 hour and 3 minutes on very icy lanes around Sherwood Forest.  It was cold and frosty and it was very hard under foot from the frozen ground but I was happy with the time seeing as it was not long after Christmas and the injury I was still being reminded of to my back.  All in all a good start to the year. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far and to everyone who has passed on messages of support. 

 

Whilst registering for the Edwinstowe event I picked up a leaflet for the Retford Half Marathon in March that I have now decided to add to my list of events and include into my training plan. 

 

 The half marathon on 13th March gave me a few problems after having a gout flare up the week before the run leaving me pretty much hobbling for the whole week.  I was feeling better by Sunday although still not right but decided that if I can't drag myself out with a sore foot then I can't face some people who go through much worse than I do on a daily basis.  The first couple of miles were a bit slow until I got over myself and started to run properly then I eased into my stride and got on with getting round.  Having not run for a week or so I was still a bit stiff and needing to conserve energy however I still managed a respectable time of 2 hours 3 minutes finishing very strongly and chatting to my new found running friend about Sunday lunch.

4 weeks exactly after the half marathon and the bike ride awaits me.  I need to turn my attention now to finishing my prep for the marathon and getting some miles in on the bike.  I have 150 miles to go to London.  I am questioning my sanity. 

It’s Time!!!

 

After a few years of telling myself I fancied running the 26 miler I have now committed myself to a place in the 2011 Virgin London Marathon.  In order to make it more of a challenge I have challenged myself to cycle down to London for the start of the race.  For those of you that don’t know I live in Worksop.  The route down to London is 150 miles and I aim to complete it over 5 days so as not to use too much energy reserve before the big day.  I will arrive in London on the Thursday before the marathon leaving enough time to register and explore the capital.

 

In order to secure a place I have pledged £2500 in sponsorship to Brain Tumour UK.  Brain Tumour UK is the leading, caring charity committed to fighting brain tumours.

 

I chose Brain Tumour UK to help find a cure for this terrible disease because in April 2001, a decade before I run the marathon I went through the pain of losing my mum to a brain tumour.  She was 53 years old.

 

I have over the last few years taken part in a few events to raise money and awareness for this great cause but 2011 will see the big challenge of 26.2miles around our capital city.  Now I’ve told you all, I have to crack on and get the training done too I suppose.

 

Cheer me on, keep me moving but please most of all dig really deep and give generously to help me reach my target and help someone with their tumour.

 

After the marathon the next event is in June when I will walk the West Highland Way.  I will do this unsupported and will be wild camping all the way from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to Fort William.  The route is 150km long and will be walked over 7 days finishing up by going up to the top of Ben Nevis.

 

On the 18th June I am taking part in the Great North Swim in Windermere in the Lake District.  This one mile open water swim is the UK's biggest outdoor swimming event and who knows, maybe I will even get in the telly.

 

In July I will take a stroll around Yorkshires 3 highest peaks.  This is something I have done before so I hope to once again complete the 23 mile course in less than 12 hours.

 

In September I am now planning to complete the national 3 peaks challenge.  This is a walk up Britain’s 3 highest peaks, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Snowden in North Wales.  This challenge to be successful has to be completed in less than 24 hours.

 

October sees me taking part in my first triathlon at the Capernwray dive centre in Lancashire.  It is a 400m swim, 20km bike ride followed by a 5km run.

 

The final event of the year will be a Santa Run.  This could be up to 10km dressed as Santa running around one of the local parks.  Details of these events have not yet been released so I have no further information at this point.

 

This is 11 events so far so any suggestions for the last one are appreciated (although they may not be seriously considered)

 

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So please dig deep and donate generously to this fantastic cause.