WOW THAT WAS TOUGH - BUT I HAVE COMPLETED IT, TIME OF 4 HOURS 8 MINUTES. KNOCKED A MASSIVE 1 MINUTE OFF MY PREVIOUS PB!!!

It was a great event run started with two colleagues, Jason and Karen, the crowds where superb all along the route shouting encouragement  every step of the way, running round Cutty Sark, and over Tower Bridge are superb experiences. The various costumes are amazing - saw the dalek, RAF marching bank and a guy playing golf!!

All along the route there are pubs specially decorated and bands playing with dancing in the street, great to see the family at 11 miles.

The second half was more tough and slowed down a little, but ran all the way. But crossing the line after 26.2 miles is a great feeling, - but the legs can not believe you have finally stopped.

MARTIN

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I am running the London Marathon on the 23 April 2006, yes I have got an entry through the ballot system.

This will be my 4th Marathon, and I am again raising money for Phab, I have raised previously about £3,500 for them over the last few years.

I am in training for the big event with plenty of races and training runs coming up - looks like my whole life for the next few months is running!!!!

This is a very worthy cause and if you can sponsor me this would be great - for up to £500 Abbey have agreed to match donation so for £1 the charity get £1.28 with tax and £1 from Abbey so a £1 get £2.28 for the charity, so sponsor generously!!!!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Phab will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

  

Martin Lawrence

Events

22 Jan Fed Hughes - 10 miles

Good run through St Albans, but an early start and cold - the morning warmed up and finished in 1 hour 16 minutes.

29 Jan Hemel Hempstread - 12 miles

Another early cold start, this is a training run as opposed to a race, and jelly babies half way round and Tea a cakes at the end - the chocolate muffin was enormous and enjoyable - Oooh the run - was good steady run, with a long hill after 3 miles.

5 Feb Watford Half Marathon - 13.1 miles

Whole crowd of us running this half, in my home town, a good well organised half, but well know for some tough hills, got a respectable 1 hour 43 minutes my best on this course (this was my 4th effort)

12 Feb Stamford St Valantines run - 30k (for couples - I need a woman!!!)

A wet and windy day (30k is nearly 19 miles) ran with others and this helped the time go quicker - but a hilly course - with some great marshals, did not feel as bad as expected afterwards

A weekend off well almost - went away to Budapest and stayed in a hotel on Margaret Island in the Danube (it had a running track round the island - just had to be ran around!!)

26 Feb Hemel Hempstead - 17 miles

A great event again, cold start, and followed by chocolate muffin and tea!! the hills at 3 & 12 miles bring back bad memories.

5 Mar Berhamstead Half - 13.1 miles

OK event - except managed to miss the start while in the queue for the loo, but then managed to catch the back markers and weave way passed 450 other runners was quiet satisfying, sunny morning,  and a fairly hilly course.

12 Mar Nike MK Half - 13.1 miles

Mostly well organised event, this time even got to the start before the start, well by about 2 minutes - not only a medal at the end but a case of drink (well thats another story) nice local event with a pretty flat course.

19 Mar Ashby - 20 miles

This is a well organised event, 20 miles and the longest run of this season - good pre-race meal the night before of Fish and Chips, but happy with a time of less than 3 hours (only just). Got the final instructions for the big event - getting closer!!!

26 Mar Sandy - 10 miles

Thought this race would give me a late start with kick off at 10.30 but had to put the clocks forward, anyway the morning was great sun out temp in double figures at about 15%, the race was well organised and very friendly, missed out on a PB by 4 seconds!! Tee shirts handed out at the end by the mayor - he had a superb medal - must find that race!

2 April Oakly - 20 miles

Nice warm day for the last long training run (hooray) to the North of Bedford, Well organised & everything seemed to work well, marshals cheery - head wind quiet strong, nice to get a respectable polo shirt - might event year it to work rather than usually assigned to using for running.

9 April Flitwick - 10k

Last race before London, a 10k (6.1 miles) and a 11.00 start, felt quiet strong and finished in a respectable 45:41 and uninjured, my wife and son also ran the race and my daughter cam along as we all finished to cheer us!! The race is followed by a childrens 2k which my nephew entered making this a good family event.

23 Apr LONDON MARATHON