16th April
For the last few weeks I've been resting and relaxing (while writing my dissertation...) ahead of Sunday. I'm off for my last short jog tomorrow then it's Marathon Day on 18th April! I'm getting quite nervous now as I've not been allowed to go for a long run for several weeks and I've forgotten what it feels like to be on my feet for several hours. But I've done all the training and bought my energy-giving jelly beans for the big day. And the weather looks good! I'm looking forward to it, though the butterflies have started...
I wanted to thank you all so much for your support and donations. And, for those still considering donating, it's not too late - this page will still exist after Sunday so please, if you can, give a little or a lot and it'll be gratefully received by Refuge!
Lots of love
xxx
31st March 2010 - Last long run!
After an abandoned attempt at my last long run on Saturday (when I fell over and grazed my hands in the rain :-(...) I did my last long run TODAY! A grand total of 21 miles - from Battersea Park along the Thames Path through Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Barnes to Richmond, then up Richmond Hill and around the park! I have my housemate, Anair, to thank for her help as she joined me in Richmond for the second half and then cooked the most amazing restorative bowl of pasta. With so much cheese. I don't think I'd have made it so far without someone who offered to meet me half way and knows Richmond Park like the back of her hand!
So it's now time to wind down in preparation for April 18th... Thanks again for all your support and donations - you're all so generous for helping me meet my target for Refuge.
Lots of love
xxx
HASTINGS HALF MARATHON 21st March 2010
Just got home after today's competitive effort... I ran it in 1:56.30 - I'm really happy as I was aiming for under 2 hours! Enormously pleased to see people out cheering/handing out jelly babies/pieces of fruit/giving their support...
It'll be the last long long run next weekend then starting to wind down the distances before the big day...4 weeks today!
xxx
Hi again,
20 miles just completed! Same run as last time with a bit of a foray into St John's Wood before heading south to the river at Battersea again. Home, tired and a little bit sore but feeling better after a HUGE bowl of pasta. I read the other day that for every mile I run, I need to eat 100 calories of carbohydrates to replace my energy store. Training for a marathon is licence to eat ALL the time!
Thank you again for coming to my page!
xxx
Hi everyone,
18 miles today! From Mile End along the canal to Regent's Park, then on to Hyde Park and down to the river at Battersea. The return leg of the loop took me past Tate Britain, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then St. Paul's and the Tate Modern before I turned in towards the Gherkin and homeward bound along Whitechapel Road. 6 weeks to go and all seems well...
Thanks again for coming to my page!
Jemma
Dear everyone
As some of you may have heard, I’m running a marathon! There are only 6 weeks to go until the big day and as I’m feeling more confident with every run, I thought it high time I tell you all about the fundraising side of things...
I’m running the first ever Brighton Marathon on Sunday 18 April. I’m raising money for Refuge, a national charity for women and children against domestic violence. In case you don’t know much about them, Refuge runs several refuges across the country to provide accommodation for those fleeing violence. They run a telephone helpline and provide legal advice and psychological support to victims of domestic violence. There are also services devoted to the culturally specific issues faced by women of many minority ethnic backgrounds. If anyone is interested in finding out more about the work that Refuge do, their website is: www.refuge.org.uk I have run once before for this charity and I think they work they do is absolutely fantastic!
I am now up to running 15 miles – so training is on track - but there’s still a lot of work to do! I can’t wait to represent Refuge on the day and I hope as many of you as possible will be able to sponsor me. As you’ll see, I’ve already raised more than my target £700 from the chocolate truffles I made and sold over Christmas (thank you again to those who bought them!) and from going out on the London Underground collecting money, too. But if you would like to help, every pound counts and it'd be great to reach as high a figure as possible!
I really appreciate you reading this (rather long!) message and I hope you won't feel pressured into giving. I know we all have different charities close to our hearts and that this just happens to be mine. I also know that these are tough times - so I'd be thrilled with any donations at all, but equally glad of any good luck messages if you don't feel you can give. Thank you all for your fabulous support!
Lots of love
Jemma
