Story
<p>After many years of watching the London Marathon on tv and thinking that I would want to take part one year, well <strong>I RAN THE 26 MILES AND 385 YARDS ON 17 APRIL 2011 ON BEHALF OF QEF in 4hrs 22mins 53 secs and feel very proud for having done it.</strong></p>
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<p> Your donation will help keep me motivated to train every day but more importantly than that it will greatly help the disabled clients and trainees at QEF <a href="http://www.qef.org.uk/">www.qef.org.uk</a> .</p>
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<p>Thanks for your support - I will keep you updated on my progress.</p>
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<p>Thanks also to Helen and the team at <a href="http://www.finefettle.org/">www.finefettle.org</a> in Bookham who are keeping my legs,feet and ankles in shape for all of the running.</p>
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<p>Gary </p>
<p><strong>October</strong>: Convinced myself that I was going to take part (April seems such a long way away!). Running (??) to the end of the road and i'm feeling in need of a rest - early signs not looking too good. Visited the Virgin London Marathon website and pulled off a 24 week training plan for beginners - which I need to keep to.</p>
<p><strong>November</strong>: Have a confirmed place in the marathon. Longest runs taking place on Sundays (50 minutes is the longest) - Saturdays are good days as they are classed as Rest Days on the training plan.</p>
<p><strong>December</strong>: The snow arrives - but the running bug has bit me big time and I only miss five nights running due to the weather. The family are telling me I look a 'sight' in my bib and running gear. (Longest run 75 minutes). Entered the Fleet half marathon in March -'thanks' to advice from a good friend.</p>
<p><strong>January</strong>: Stepping up the training a bit now, still following the beginners plan, and so far have completed a couple of runs to Camberley and back (11 miles). Another year older, and the distances on the training plan are getting longer! Missed one day of training due to the shock of Blues getting to Wembley!!!!! </p>
<p><strong>February: </strong>Lots of training. 27th FEB. Two hour run in the morning and then a trip to Wembley!!. <strong> WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY </strong></p>
<p><strong>March: </strong>Had a meeting in London at the start of the month and walked near to London Bridge - my mind went forward six weeks! Taking part in the Fleet half marathon on 20th March (just for the practice!) Completed the half marathon in less than 2hours - felt good after the run, then I remembered that I will have to do double the distance in a few weeks!!! Longest run so far 18 miles in less than 3 hours (felt ok after that!)</p>
<p><strong>April</strong>: Very close now!! Last of the long training runs done - just one long run to do on the third Sunday of the month! As pleasant as the warm weather is don't want it on the 17th. DONE IT. WEATHER HOT, CROWDS AWESOME, GREAT SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT RUNNING UP THE MALL, CROSSING THE LINE AND GETTING THE MEDAL. </p>