I've done it !!!!! I know because today my legs hurt - a lot !
4hours 55 minutes and 2 seconds to run 26.2 miles. I ran every step of the way, which is why I look rough in the photo!
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I'm running (or stumbling) through the London Marathon on 25th April 2010 to raise funds for Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. The mountain rescue team is staffed entirely by volunteers and help rescue the lost, injured (and stupid) in all weathers. More information is available about their work on their website which is http://www.llanberismountainrescue.co.uk/English/LLMRT%20HomePage.html
I'm running on behalf of Wolverhampton Mountaineering Club and more info about the club is at www.wolverhamptonmountaineeringclub.co.uk
Training so far (6 Feb 2010)
I'm finding the training much harder than I thought it would be. So far I'm up to about 3 hours of running (about 15 -16 miles) and I'm guessing it will take me about 5 hours to complete the marathon. (I'm told that Paula Radcliffe is really scared about losing to me) Adding another couple of hours to my runs seems like an impossible task at the moment.
I've managed to convince a few of the guys from work to run up the stairs of a local office block with me after work on a Monday. There are 12 floors, 216 steps in total. I run up like a girl, ie I step on every step, they run up taking 2 or 3 steps at a time. I maintain this is the reason for the difference in times. My way is much harder. I get to the top on the first run in about 1.50, they do it in about a minute. The second run normally requires a big rest for us all on the 6th floor before carrying on to the 12th, and the the 3rd attempt finishes entirely on the 5th floor!!
Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm at the gym with Richard Taylor making me do endless squats and sit ups. I've seen my thighs wobble involuntarily which is not nice! ( www.purefitnessone.co.uk )
Wednesdays are run home from work the long way days. The short way is still 13 miles. I hate Wednesdays!
Saturdays and/or Sundays are more running.
Friday is junk food and lazy day - just like every day used to be before I got "lucky" with a london marathon place!
I've explained this to try and convince you that all this effort is worth a few quid sponsorship - please.
Fundraising
Gail from Wolverhampton Mountaineering Club, has been brilliant; she has organised raffles at club slideshows and with the generosity of club members, has so far raised about £150 for Mountain Rescue. Work colleagues have been generous in their sponsorship and have so far pledged about £150.
Training update - 20th Feb 2010
So far every time I've run home from work its snowed but this week was the worst yet, it proper snowed for the 3 hours I was out running, I think I was mildly hyperthermic by the time I got home. Due to my temperature I did have to abandon the healthy eating and have chips and curry sauce to help me recover!!
Training update -28th Feb 2010
Today I did the Dudley Action Heart 5 mile race - and guess what - it was snowing!! It did stop as the race got started so not so bad. I did it in 45 minutes which is brilliant for me. Wednesday will be another big run (so it will likely snow on Wednesday!) before I go on holiday. I'm even taking my trainers with me on holiday - surely that committment is worth sponsoring?
Training update 28th March 2010
According to all the training schedules I've read, not one of them recommends a 2 week skiing trip 5 weeks before a marathon. Don't know why it's good fun!! Now I'm back from the fun slopes, hard runs are in order. I did @18 miles before I went on holiday and that hurt so I was really looking forward to a 20 mile run. A lovely spring day helped as I staggered through the pain barrier to run (some might say stumble) for 4 hours, about 20 miles at my pace. My toes are blistered, my hips hurt and I've got the middle age disease of "knees". Can't wait until the marathon now so all this pain can be over!
My running number is 17214 so look out for me, I'll probably be just behind a hippo and a giant caterpillar !
Apparently you can follow my progress if you text RUN to 83040 and enter my race number, the time chip will record my progress at 5k markers. The advert small print states that texts will be charged at your standard network rate. You may be charged at the rate your phone charges for accessing a mobile internet system.
The final days......
OMG - it's next week!!. I did another 4 hour run last weekend which didn't hurt quite as much as the first time - which is a good thing. After hitting the gym for some treadmill sessions during the week, I've a short (ha!) 10 mile run and that's pretty much it. Nothing left to do now but eat and avoid everyone with coughs and colds. The race starts at 9.45am on Sunday 25th April. I'm starting from the blue start. I will be wearing a high viz tee shirt with my name and number on the front and the mountain rescue logo on the back. I'll attempt to wave or grimace at any TV cameras I see.
Next update will be with my finishing time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKU0gTPNYVk See the route on google street on you tube
