Story
<p>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *<strong> MARATHON UPDATE </strong> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *<br><br><em><strong>After 4:03:31, I completed the 26.2 miles. And then promptly collapsed, exhausted and hurting!</strong></em><br><br><em><strong>I would like to thank all those who have sponsored me so far. My support before the race and also all along the route especially from 23 Foundation was fantastic. I'll include more details and photos soon!</strong></em><br><br>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </p>
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<p><strong><em>The Event...<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0000;">To run the <a title="Run Liverpool Marathon" href="http://www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk/">Liverpool Marathon</a></span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The Date...<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0000;">09 October 2011</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The Location...<span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Liverpool</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The Challenge...<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: #ff0000;">To reach the finish line of 26.2 incredibly difficult miles.</span></em></strong></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><em>Thanks for taking the 'Ticket To Ride' and visiting my JustGiving page.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><em>I am raising money for the <a title="23 Foundation" href="http://www.jamiecarragher23.co.uk/cw/JC23/pages/23Foundation.htm">23 Foundation</a> by attempting to run the 26 gruelling miles of <a title="Run Liverpool Marathon" href="http://www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk/">The Long and Winding Road</a> around the iconic sights of the great city of Liverpool. (</em>Hence the Beatles puns!<em>)</em></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #808080;"><em>"</em>Hello, Goodbye. I have been training 8 Days A Week and I Feel Fine. So From Me To You The Magical Mystery Tour will take in Penny Lane, Octopus's Garden, Norweigian Wood and the Strawberry Fields Forever. Passing by the Yellow Submarine and The Fool On The Hill. However on the Hard Day's Night i will Come Together with Eleanor Rigby and Lady Madonna because All You Need is Love, With A Little Help From My Friends, While My Guitar Gently Weeps<em>". </em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #808080;"><em><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Beatles.</em></span></p>
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<p><em>But now seriously, here I am, going for the heart strings! This is always an incredibly difficult challenge for anyone attempting to run this distance, </em><em>but i've never done anything like this before. I've had to sacrifice many things to get ready for this - Dominoes Pizza, alcohol, but most importantly </em><em>chocolate. For someone who is simply unable to go to tesco without buying a trolley full of chocolate related products, its really difficult! I have </em><em>trained very hard, i've nearly been run over a couple of times, my knees hurt like an old man, and you wouldn't believe how uncomfortable nipple rash is </em><em>the next day. I began training whilst out on tour in Afghanistan a few months ago - before and after a hard day's work in 50 degree heat, i was out training. But i'm </em><em>pleased to say that it helped improve me a great deal. Because i don't intend on just taking part - i plan to run this marathon, to achieve something b</em><em>eyond anything my funny little body has ever experienced.</em></p>
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<p><em>The reason why...</em></p>
<p><em>As one of the four Official Charities of this year's Liverpool Marathon - i decided to run for the <a title="Official Liverpool Marathon Charity - 23 Foundation" href="http://www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk/charities/">23 Foundation</a>. Created by the Liverpool FC vice-captain <a title="Jamie Carragher" href="http://www.jamiecarragher23.co.uk/cw/JC23/pages/">Jamie Carragher</a>. "The <a title="Official Liverpool Marathon charity - 23 Foundation" href="http://www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk/charities/23-foundation/">23 Foundation</a> aims to give local kids in Merseyside a chance to achieve their dreams </em><em>through local charities, clubs and community initiatives by providing the means to make a difference." That is whether it be helping local kids recover </em><em>from illness or helping to provide a framework for achieving their goals. The Merseyside community - of which Jamie Carragher himself is very much a part </em><em>of - can help develop more confident, well rounded individuals. In giving children a reason to recover from illness or the means to express their </em><em>talents, we can show them there are many ways to succeed on a personal and career level by being part of a team.</em></p>
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<p><em>You may or may not have ever even been to Liverpool, but as a Liverpool FC supporter myself, the opportunity to be part of a 500-strong 'Team Of </em><em>Carraghers' on the 9th October was something i just didnt want to miss.</em></p>
<p><em>So i hope all this will encourage you to generously donate to a cause i have grown very fond of. I realise it may not be anywhere near those "X-Factor </em><em>life-changing, heart-aching sob stories" we all hear, but this means a great deal to me and i hope you will support me in this ridiculously stupid </em><em>attempt of mine.</em></p>
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<p><em>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted </em><em>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. </em><em>So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</em></p>
<p><em>So please dig deep and donate. Thank-you.</em></p>