Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

My challenge = 26.22 miles along London streets.

As an association member, having personally experienced BLESMA’s professional and expert help, I will run my heart out to support their sterling work with our brave ex-service men and women for whom the fight still goes on.

Many of it's members are now elderly but recent events in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in 63 young service men and women that are now members of BLESMA. The state machinery can handle this problem only in general terms, BLESMA concerns itself with the INDIVIDUAL.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (Blesma) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now! Donate as little or as much as you can afford, it's all very much appreciated, Thank You

Training update - 02 September 2008 – 7 months 23 days to go

Started running in January of this year (wish I’d started 30 years ago as I’m sure it shouldn’t hurt this much, perhaps I’m doing it all wrong) Ran a 10k in March and was amazed that I felt okay at the end of it, so onto bigger and better things – The 2009 Flora London Marathon. Since March I’ve been out three times a week covering 3 to 4 miles except for a 6 week period spent recovering from fractured ribs obtained by taking an unconventional route to the bottom of the stairs. Thinking I need to step it up a gear I’ve gone in search of a structured training regime and discovered there is a ton of information and advice out there, it can’t all be right can it?

Training update - 23 September 2008 – 7 months 2 days to go
Printed out a map of the route, goodness - it's a long way. I know I can make it as far as Greenwich as I’ve completed a 6 mile run in the past, so just the last 20 miles I need to worry about, not sure if that means I only need to train for the remaining 20 miles or should I play it safe and train for the entire 26 miles? I think I know the answer to this one.
I must be getting fitter as I am no longer hitting the 'wall' during warm up, that only happens now when I actually start running, so things looking on the up.
I’ve entered myself into a 10k run in Southend on the 5th October as I feel that would give me a good measure of my current fitness and would be an appropriate springboard to kick off the very serious stage of my training, so I’m looking forward to that.

Training update - 18 November 2008 – 5 months 7 days to go
Successful completed the 10k Southend race - that was HARD, 4 minutes slower that the race I ran in March, obviously, I hadn’t put the work in, what a very valuable lesson and what a very good feeling when I crossed the line.
I’m out running 3 times a week, soon to be increased but more importantly I’ve recently learned that you can train too hard or as it's known in the industry, ‘over-training’, this often leads to injury, which means missed training sessions and then you’re on the slippery slidey slope. I’m taking my rest days very seriously as I expect to clock up 700 plus miles before I get to the start line, the trick is to train smart, this is a whole new learning experience for me.
The common sentiment that comes through on everything I’ve read about the marathon is that both physically and mentally it is incredibly hard and lets face it, if it wasn’t it wouldn't be the classic challenge that it is. Writing this blog is all part of my strategy to remain highly motivated and ensure I do everything necessary to get to the finish line.

Training update - 9 December 2008 – 4 months 16 days to go
Went shopping for a pair of trainers, a very knowledgeable lady put me on a tread mill with a webcam to monitor my running technique and confirmed that I was indeed doing it all wrong, my feet go in the wrong direction and I put all my weight on the inside of my ankle, something to do with one leg being longer than the other. It would appear that I have a unique running style but no worries, in exchange for all my worldly possessions this very helpful young lady was able to produce a spanking new pair of trainers that would go someway to correcting my faults with the only downside being that the life expectancy is about 600 miles, not enough to get through the marathon. Massive temptation not to use until Jan/Feb but best to get running in them asap me thinks.

Training update - 22 December 2008 – 4 months 3 days to go
BLESMA’s figures for new members as a results of the events in Iraq and Afghanistan has risen to 70 young service men and women.

I was in a park where I ran my first 10k race, when I saw a notice informing that a group of runners meet at 12.30pm each Wednesday, so if you’re training for the marathon or just fancy a jog with likeminded people come along. As I do most of my running alone I thought why not, on Wednesday I took an extended lunch, donned my best running gear and drove the10 mile to the park arriving in good time, I hung around the designated meeting point, 12.30pm came and went, I give it another 5 minutes just in case, nothing. Set off for a 3 mile run, keeping a lookout for the other runners, 30 minutes later I left not having spotted a single likeminded person – disappointing but hey ho.

Training update - 6 January 2009 – 3 months 19 days to go
Got attacked by a very vicious looking pitbull dog last week, the shouts from the owners “come on boy, leave the nice runner alone” in an attempt to get the dog away from me proved to be about as effective as their shouts of “don’t worry, he only thinks you’re playing with him” were reassuring to me.

I have entered a 10 mile race in Dartford on the 18th January which will be my longest run to date, scary or what?

A BIG THANK YOU TO SOME OFF LINE SPONSORS
Lodgesons – for a very generous sponsorship
Gerry Jagoo - very much appreciated mate

Training update - 24 February 2009 – 2 months 1 day to go
Missed a week’s training due to a very swollen and painful foot, took another week to get back into the swing of things, very disappointing but I guess part and parcel of this long distance running stuff, anyway, training go well at the moment, the long weekend runs are getting longer and the shorter runs during the week are more comfortable, I’m not quite at the stage of enjoying it but it’s much less of a hardship to go out training.

I attended a ‘Meet the Experts’ session in London, which was very informative on what to expect on marathon day and covered topics such as how to stay injury free and nutrition, all in all a good investment of time.

Working on fund raising projects which should produce good results in the near future, the all important everyday donations has taken a bit of a back seat due to my other commitments of late and I’ve realised that you have to keep at it, so I’ll be applying myself in that direction and will be going around with my hat out.

A BIG THANK YOU TO SOME OFF LINE SPONSORS
Des Gosling - many thanks Des
Dengie Hundred Round Table - fantasic, thank you all for digging so deep
Trackside Fitness - excellent
Stace Print Services - many thanks Steve
and all those not mentioned

Training update – 23 March 2009 – 1 months 2 days to go
The training is going well, some niggles from the long runs as you would expect but all in all I’m staying injury free and am totally amazed by the distances I can now cover. Only a couple more long runs left and then training down for the big day which I’m really looking forward to.

Update - 27 April 2009
Well I did it, despite the heat. A big thank you to all the people who cheered me along the route.
As this was my first marathon my goal was simply to finish, which I did in 5hrs 24 min - 6 minutes within the time target I’d secretly set myself.
I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who sponsored me, you of course are the stars, very very many thanks.
This page will remain active for a while so if you'd like to support BLESMA, please use the 'sponsor me now' button.
Once again, a big thank you to everyone who supported me.

Would I do it again???????

A BIG THANK YOU TO SOME OFF LINE SPONSORS
The Rotary Club of Burnham-on-Crouch - Excellent, a big thank you to Jack and all members, very generous and very much appreciated.