Story
UPD8 26.4.10 DID IT!
.... in 4 hours and 27 minutes! What an experience. Having been plagued with a dodgy knee for the last 4 weeks I hit one of my three targets - to run the whole race without stopping. The blast of sound along the Embankment and turning the corner past Houses of Parliament (where Lisa, Emily and Oliver were) was for me the absolute highlight of the day. My friend Lyn said on this page to 'breath through the eyes' - I know exactly what this means but I would also add through the eyes too. I actually managed to run the last mile hard with what must have been the most inane grin on my face. Just writing this makes me a little emotional!! If you ever get the chance to run the London Marathon - then do it. If you ever think about going to watch it - go - the people giving out jelly babies, bits of mars bars, vaseline (yes - vital), oranges, high fives and shouting support just make it all an unbelievable experience.
Another funny bit was on the way home we stopped at a service station. I got out of the car to stretch and another car was passing by and this lady in the back of the car saw me; locked eyes and then pulled out her medal and then stuck her thumbs up - she knew exactly how I felt and was so proud of herself! I got out my medal too, pointed at it. Part of a club!! If you have run a marathon then you know too!
When I get my photos sorted I get them on too!
Thank you all so much for your messages of support and for the donations for what is a brilliant cause.
Steve
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Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page. Sunday 25th April 2010 is a big day for me – I will be running the London Marathon and it will also be my 40th Birthday. I have been in training since the start of September and have three goals – to run the whole distance – all 26 miles and however many yards; to finish in under 4 hours (looking a pipedream at the moment) and to raise £1500 for Deafness Research UK.
Training has gone pretty well, until the last few weeks when I have picked up all sorts of niggles. My long runs have gone mostly from my house and down to Ironbridge for a couple of loops. Look out for me most Saturday mornings somewhere along the Silkin Way or around Ironbridge Gorge. On Sunday 21st March I ran in the Ironbridge Half Marathon and beat my personal best by just under a minute, running 1:54:48. My colleague Kevin is also running the London Marathon and we'll be pounding the streets of Shropshire over the next few weeks. Please support Kevin who is raising money for Trauma Care UK by dropping a donation off in reception at Burton Borough School.
Thank you to all the lovely people who have baked and/or scoffed cakes at Burton Borough School... your calorific increase is very much appreciated! Thanks too for all the parents at Telford Hornets who have pledged a big chunk of dosh too! Thanks to the students who are guessing mine and Kevin's finishing time for two good causes. My sister Joanne has been an absolute star and had baked around 300 cookies that have been sold at March Amateur Dramatics Society's production of Calamity Jane. Thanks too to all the parents and governors at Burton Borough who have made kind donations.
So why Deafness Research UK? My wife Lisa has a severe hearing loss and has benefited from the advances in hearing aid technology. Deafness Research UK helps deaf children and their families; helps tinnitus sufferers; helps to improve hearing aids and helps to prevent and and find cures for deafness.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope that you choose to make a donation!
Steve
PS ... and NO.... I am not running in a chicken/ ostrich/ chimp outfit!
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