An update:

I managed to complete the Marathon on Sunday in 3 hours 55 minutes, which I was pretty pleased with considering it was my first one and it was so hot at times!  It was a horrible experience but also one of the very best and worth every second of pain, both then and now.  Thank you so much everyone for sponsoring me - I don't think I could've done it without everyone's support and knowing I was raising money for such a worthy cause.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         Firstly, thank you for making it as far as my fundraising page! As you know I will be running this year's London Marathon on Sunday 26th April, for which I have already begun my vigorous training plan... And 'fartleks' are really not as funny as they sound! I'm hoping to achieve something between Paula Radcliffe and Rocky (picture the Rocky 4 training montage scene) and complete the 26.2 miles in around 3hrs30 to 3hrs45. To be honest though as long as I get there and get there before Jordan and her breasts, I don't really care! Anyhow, the really important part of this is that I'm doing it to raise a good chunk of cash for The Anthony Nolan Trust. My mum was diagnosed with lymphoma at the beginning of last year for which she underwent chemotherapy, and thankfully, is now well on the mend. However, it will come back in the next 1 to 5 years and probably keep on coming back. In both seeing and feeling some of the effects of this blood cancer so close to home, and furthermore, having seen the devastating impact of cancer on others around me in recent years, I figured the least I could do is put the time I already spend pounding the treadmill to good use and raise money for a charity which focuses on blood cancer, and provides lifesaving donors to leukaemia sufferers. Therefore please, please, please, despite the credit crunch, DIG DEEP and give what you can. Anything you can give will be hugely appreciated, and I will literally do anything for your hard-earned money! Whether you want to throw a clause in to what you give; perhaps because you feel sorry for me running on my already arthritic left foot, or because you simply want to see me give up alcohol for a few months, please support both The Anthony Nolan Trust and myself and give generously. A BIG thank you to those who have already done so. Many, many thanks in advance. Amy. Please visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk to find out more.