Hi there and thanks so much for taking the time out to visit my page :)

Well, if you've made it here and haven't collapsed in shock I really am running the Belfast Marathon in May! I caught the running bug when I ran in last year's relay event so decided to up the ante a bit and sign up for the full race.  (I may live to regret this!!;)

That's where justgiving comes in.  As most of you know I lost my darling dad to leukaemia at the end of April 2008 so I've decided to run the marathon to raise some much needed funds for the Northern Ireland Leukaemia Research Fund.  At the moment there is no known cure for leukaemia but I hope that one day this will change.  Medical research is extremely expensive but it's also the best chance there is to beat this terrible disease.  So, whether you're feeling flush or only have a few extra pennies to spare I'd really appreciate it if you'd wing them this way and donate to the NILRF through my justgiving page. 

Please keep visiting my page for regular training updates - I'll try to make it worth your while with plenty of updates, pictures and, if I can figure out how to work my camera, a few videos for your amusement along the way.  I'll hopefully be holding a few events in the run up to the big day so keep your eyes peeled for details of those!

 

Thanks again for your support and keep your fingers crossed I make it to the end of the 26.2miles in one fully-functioning piece!

 

Here's how to donate:

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.

Lots of love,

Laura

xoxoxo

31st Jan 2010 - Update!

Hi everyone and thanks so much for the sponsorship I've received so far!  You've really given me a boost to push myself harder over the last while so thank you!  It's been a tough few weeks but I'm finally starting to really feel my training is paying off.  Friday was meant to be my long run but I hurt my knee a couple of weeks ago and it was having none of the 10 miles I had planned so I had to settle for a disappointing 5.3miles.  I was devastated feeling as though I'd taken a backstep on my training plan.  BUT today Catherine and I took part in the Belfast4Haiti 5k fun run.  It was absolutely freezing and really slippy in parts but everyone was in good spirts and there were a few local celebrities there to boot.  I was really chuffed to come in in under 30 mins which is a good 6mins off the time I've been running it on the treadmill.  Definitely time to take my training back outside! Will keep you posted on how that goes! ♥ L xoxo

4th Feb 2010

Have replaced cigarettes with green tea.  Has been 4 days since last fag.  Good grief - I must be really serious about this marathon thing! ;o)  Apologies in advance (and hindsight) if I've been a grumpy bugger!  That said, I'm not feeling too shabby and training is still going well. Looking forward to my long run on Saturday, hope to hit the great outdoors again.  Just going to take a look at mapmyrun.com to plan my route for the weekend.  GAME ON!! ♥ L ☺

 

10th April 2010

 

It's been a while since my last update here so it's about time I fill you in on what has been going on.  I turned 26 in March and I am resigned to telling people that I have to run slow to protect my joints - old age is a terrible thing, ha ha! ;)

Training has been a bit up and down and I've found the last few months quite a struggle; I never realised just how lonely taining for a marathon could be.  However, I've somehow managed to plod on with the support of my family and friends and today I managed to do my longest training session ever.  My good friend Victoria is running the marathon as well and today we managed to get through a whopping 21miles.  It took us 5 hours all in all and that included an all important stop at the shops for lucozade and polly pineapples so we were pretty chuffed by the end of it and I just know that If it hadn't been for Victoria I am almost certain I would have turned back to go home sooner so thank you Vic!  :)

 

That's the last of the long runs for now.  I'll be sticking to shorter runs until the big day.  Only 3 weeks to go!  Aaaah!

Bye for now,

♥ Laura xx

 

26th April 2010

 

Today has been a hard day.  It's the 2nd anniversary of dad's death and it's been a bit overwhelming.  What has made it better though is seeing that, thanks to your support, I've raised 60% of my fundraising total.  That's amazing!  I'm so chuffed that NILRF will be able to benefit from your kind generosity and that awareness for their great cause is growing. So give yourselves a big pat on the back, you deserve it.  Only one week to go!  I watched the London marathon yesterday from the comfort of my sofa  and was a blubbering wreck by the end of it.  Dear knows what next Monday has in store for me! 

 

Take care,

♥ Laura xx

 

Update!

Just a quick update to say an enormous thank you to everyone who sponsored me and came along on the day to show your support.  Your support meant such a lot, especially during the tougher points of the course.  It was an incredible day and all the training - and lack of social life - paid off on the day.  I can't wait to run again next year and you never know, I may see a few of you running with me as well!  Hopefully I'll have sped up a bit by then :)

 

Thanks again for all your donations and support.  It has really made a difference to NILRF and the great work they are doing to stamp out this horrible disease. 

 

Take care and see you next time!

Love Laura xx