I DID IT!

I certainly didn't break any records by finishing in 5 hours 21 minutes but it was a massive personal achievement for me. After about 19 miles, every step became more and more painful, especially around my knees and hips! The prospect of another 7 miles was pretty daunting at that stage. But it was all worthwhile when I crossed that finish line. What a painful, gruelling and emotional yet wonderfully uplifting and amazing experience!

My fellow runners were simply inspiring - especially those who took on the extra challenge of dressing up as cartoon characters, animals and edible goods! Others went even further: one man dragged part of a wall behind him, another carried a sink on his back and at least a dozen soldiers were bent nearly double under the weight of their backpacks. It is amazing to see the lengths people will go to for charitable causes and to witness the strength of the human spirit.

The crowds were incredible the whole way round; there were parties laid on in people's gardens, bands in pubs, singers on balconies, barbeques and street parties in full swing all the way round the course. We were urged on, cheered, applauded and high fived as we went past, dancers and singers gave it their all to spur us on, we were handed dozens upon dozens of sweets, treats and orange slices to help us on our way and we were even sprinkled with holy water at one stage!

And of course MY supporters were THE BEST. Thank you to everyone who called and left messages of support and thank you Paul, Jo, Claire, Teresa, Al, Jeff, Catherine, Keith and Luis for being there. A special mention has to go to my brother Paul. His unfailing belief in me ever since I first told him that I was going to run and his commitment to supporting and encouraging me all the way to the finish line with great energy and enthusiasm really made a difference - thank you bro :-)    

TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED, SENT MESSAGES, TRACKED ME, SUPPORTED ME ON THE DAY, BEFORE AND SINCE.......THE BIGGEST THANK YOU! I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY MOVED BY THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT AND AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL.

IF ANYONE STILL WANTS TO DONATE OR PASS THIS ON, MY PAGE WILL BE LIVE FOR ANOTHER 3 MONTHS.

I read an article last week about the marathon which sums it up brilliantly...

When you cross that finish line... however battered and bruised, it is simply one of the most wonderful moments of your life. ... No-one who has ever run the London Marathon can ever be the same again. Out there on the road you'll discover what it means to face the toughest of mental and physical challenges - what life can be like when you dare to go the distance.

I'm off for more hot baths, deep heat, massage and stretching and when I can walk again, I'll more than likely be putting in my application to the 2011 ballot!

 

48 hours to go!

I have been overwhelmed by donations and encouragement this week - thank you SO much. The temperature is looking a little too warm for my liking on Sunday but at least it will be nice for spectators! Thank you for every word and every penny, all of which will get me to that finish line!!!

 

Less than a week to go .... and very nervous! Various aches and pains are seriously knocking my confidence.

Still , this is the time to focus (eat loads of carbs!) and then go for it!!!

Thank you from my heart both for every penny donated and for the fantastic messages you have left.

 

TRACKING MY PROGRESS!... You can track me on the day by texting RUN to 83040 and entering my race number 33742 onto the link which will they send you.
 
SUPPORT - Please let me know if you are coming and where to look out for you if you haven't already. It is a HUGE boost to have personal support on the day.

 

 

Marathon update - 2 weeks to go!

If you are in the country/area on 25th April and would like to come and cheer me on - PLEASE DO! If not, please send me lots of good vibes/cheer me on from the comfort of your sofa/bed! ;-)

The AICR cheering station will be at Victoria Embankment (v near Westminster tube.) Alternatively, there is a runner meet and greet area after the finish on Horse Guards Parade and Horse Guards Road - with areas marked by letters of the alphabet so I guess meet at M for Mukerji! 
 
AICR are also having a reception at the Crowne Plaza London St. James (41-54 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF) from 3pm-7pm. I can only take 2 guests to the actual reception but it could be a good place to come to if anyone gets lost!

I don't know what time I will be finishing in - prob around 5 hours + need to allow 30mins to get through the finish area so hopefully I will emerge in one piece at around 330pm-4pm??
 
There is a tracking system available either via Facebook -
www.facebook.com/adidasrunning to download or
text RUN to 83040 and they will send you a link to the mobile tracking service. Enter my race number 33742 and it will track me via my timing chip in my shoe. Not sure I like the idea of being tracked - I won't be able to sneak off to the pub en route!  
 
Really hope that some of you can come down. After a disastrous and very painful run yesterday, I have got even more aches and pains, am feeling very apprehensive and could really do with the support! 
  
Finally, thank you SO much for every penny that has been donated so far. You all know how close this cause is to my heart and I think I would have dropped out by now if it didn't mean so much to me. Anyone still wishing to donate before the race, you are on the right page!!! :-)

 

My story...

I will be running the London Marathon on Sunday 25th April in aid of the Association for International Cancer Research and in memory of my Dad who died in July...

In March of last year, we were devastated to learn the diagnosis of Dad's mystery 'hip problem.' Just 4 months later he died from a combination of lung, brain and bone cancers.  Despite bravely beating heart disease, diabetes and various other medical conditions during his lifetime, he couldn't overcome the ravages of this terrible disease. Watching him suffer was heartbreaking.

Nothing prepares you for the pain of losing a loved one. In trying to find a way to cope, I decided to do something positive in Dad's memory and this motivated me to complete the London Triathlon and Birmingham Half Marathon last year. However, as he had always wanted to do the London Marathon himself but never got the chance, I knew that this would be a more fitting tribute.

When I failed to get a place through the ballot for the Marathon, I applied to several cancer charities to see if I could run for them and was very disappointed to be unsuccessful here also. I knew that the charities had waiting lists and asked to be placed on those but I didn't hold out much hope. So when I received a phone call from AICR, the Assocation for International Cancer Research, in December to say that a place had become available, I was thoroughly delighted. I think the co-ordinator thought my response was a bit mad(!) but I was just so pleased that I could fulfill my wish to do this in memory of my beloved Dad who I miss so much and who always told me that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. Well Dad, this is for you and I hope you are right!

I will be training hard and fundraising even harder. If I can help the fight against cancer then at least something really positive will have come out of our bereavement.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 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.

Please dig deep and donate now.

THANK YOU SO MUCH