15.9.09

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On October 11th I plan to run the Great Eastern half marathon.  I am training lots for it now and sometimes think I am mad for wanting to do this.  The reason behind my motivation to do is, is my brother Paul.  As you may know he tragically passed away in July.  For the past three years of his life he lived with the illness Bi Polar, and then it got to the point in his life when he could not carry on anymore.  As you can imagine this has been a terrible time for my family and it is something we are trying to come to terms with and accepting that we will have to learn to live with what happened to Paul.

Paul was a great character and everyone got on with him.  He was very generous, especially to those less fortunate than himself, which brings me to the reason I am running to support the charity Crisis.  It was a charity that Paul really supported and at Christmas he worked at the Crisis Centre in Battersea from Christmas day and the following two days. 

It is my husband Noel I have to thank for getting me involved in this run.  After Paul passed away Noel found out about this run and encouraged me to enter.  Telling me that I would have something to focus on and aim for over the next few months and also to know that Paul would be 100% behind me doing this for Crisis.  Believe me after some long runs there are times I feel like giving up but then I think about everything Paul went through and push myself on.  And Noel was right, in a way it has helped me to focus on something and know I am doing something that Paul would be really proud of.  I also have to thank Noel for letting me leave him with our two small children while I go for my longs runs at the weekend.

I have to run 13.1 miles and on my last run I managed 10.6 miles so I am getting there.  I have to say that I wouldn't be doing so well if it wasn't for my friend Erica, who I have to thank for giving up her Sundays to come out with me.  Since she is just over 3 months pregnant she doesn't do the long runs with me but she cycles round with me and really pushes me on to do that little bit further and she keeps my mind off of how tired I am feeling by chatting away to me.  Unfortunately no bikers allowed on race day so I'll have to try and get round the course without her!  Also have to mention my dad who also came out on his bike while I ran 9 miles.

I would like to complete the race in about 2 hours 10 mins but am giving myself 2 and half hours.

I really would appreciate any donations and once I see people donating I know there is defintely no way I can pull out.

I'll let you know how the training is going.

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