Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

Update 15/3/2010

God, I ache!!!!  Managed to limp around in 2:55:32.  The last mile took me forever, as there was such a headwind by the time I got there.  Suffered some discomfort on the start line when I realised that tucking flapjack into my running tights was not my brightest move, as I soon had oats stuck to my thighs in all places imaginable.  Just as well I'd eaten most of it before I crossed the start line....   My last 3 miles were enriched with a fun size pack of dolly mixtures and they were little pieces of sweetie heaven. 

Delighted to have got around in under 3 hours, which was my revised target after I had to postpone my last 4 weeks of training due to having a poorly foot.  Had loads of support on the day from Gareth, Mum and Dad, Andy and Heather, and my trotting buddy Jo.  Thankfully the 3 hours of my own personal hell were made much more enjoyable by receiving motivational text messages from my nearest and dearest, and some company from Gareth around the 9 mile marker.

Thanks again to everyone who has sponsored me, you have made a huge contribution to the Radcliffe Trust, and your donations will help support other families like mine in the future.

D xx

 

Update 11/3/2010

Still have a poorly paw, but thanks to 4 weeks of physio, I'm making good progress.  Should be able to get around the whole course through a mixture of trotting, walking and potentially hobbling, provided I take some pain killers and strap my foot up.  Very excited, but will be so happy when it's all done!  Thanks so much to everyone who has donated, smashing my original target of £500 and providing some much needed support to the John Radcliffe and Horton hospitals.  Next stop....Silverstone!!!  Bye for now......x

 

Update 21/2/2010

Tried first run in 1.5 weeks, managed 2km.....it's a start!!  Foot hurts, but hopefully it's on the mend...

 

Update 12/2/2010

I've had to see a physio as I've been limping due to some tendon damage (apparently I have no arches and am flat footed!!), and he's advised me to walk the race, not run.  I really, really want to give it my best shot, but the priority is getting around, not the time I do it in.  So please forgive me if I only trot for a portion of the race, but I will get to that finish line!!

 

Why am I doing this?

 

I ask myself that every time I get home from work, and have to summon up the energy to go for a run.....

 

Well, primarily it's because of my Dad.  In October 2008, Dad had a quadruple heart bypass at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford.  The staff were amazing and, despite the days being very long and emotional, we were always so comforted in the knowledge Dad was in great hands.  The team in cardiac intensive care were like magicians, seeing to Dad's every beep and buzz, and providing us much needed reassurance that everything went well.  They devoted their time to ensuring Dad's recovery was carefully monitored and his pain managed.  The nurses on the ward were always so caring for my Pops, and Prof Taggart was unbelievable, giving Dad an off pump bypass, something we didn't think he'd survive a few years ago.  I thank God for the facilities provided for families at the Radcliffe.  We made many friends in the family room, where some much needed respite was gained, and comfort from other relatives going through similar experiences.  Plus we managed to watch Lewis Hamilton winning the championship, and I think they heard Mum and I screaming all the way in A&E!

 

As many of you will be aware, things didn't go entirely to plan with Dad's recovery, and he had major complications for the 6 months following the op.  Dad was admitted to Horton hospital in Banbury.   We did not celebrate Christmas that year, and to be honest, we did not think we would actually get another Christmas together as a family. 

 

However, rather than focussing on the bad times, I'd like to celebrate the good people we met along the way.  The hard work of all the nurses with Dad was amazing, beyond the call of duty.  The dedication and devotion of the hospital chaplain with her daily visits gave us all such comfort and peace, especially to Dad.  The wonderful volunteers at Radio Horton who, despite our pleas, continued to play Bette Midler day in day out for Pops.  The professionals who persevered in finding out the cause of Dad's illness, and subsequent successful treatment.  The auxiliary staff who were delighted when Dad got his appetite back, and let us have second helpings of soup for him (plus let me sneak him in pancakes for pancake day - I did make the dozen he asked for, but I think he managed 2!!).  Please forgive me as I know I've missed some people, so I shall just say a big "THANK YOU" to everyone at both hospitals.

 

I hope by completing the Silverstone Half Marathon, I will be able to raise some money to support the ongoing good work of these hospitals, and their wonderful staff.

 

Now I can't promise what time I'll finish in, but I promise I will finish!!

 

Love to you all,
Debs xx

 

Ps - If you'd like to know more, please use the links below...

 

http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/getinvolved/charitablefunds/charity.aspx

http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/getinvolved/charitablefunds/cardiac.aspx

http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/getinvolved/charitablefunds/charity_docs/090511heartbrochure.pdf

http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/getinvolved/charitablefunds/children/intro.aspx

http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/getinvolved/charitablefunds/cancercentre/cancercentre.aspx

http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/getinvolved/charitablefunds/brodey.aspx

 

 

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.