No it wasn't a dream - I really did run the London Marathon last Sunday and managed to complete it in 5 hours 11 minutes.

I really enjoyed the first half, then it got tougher and hotter and the last six miles required sheer willpower to get me through. Sheila (my running club friend) and I managed to stick together almost to the end and we helped each other round.

Thank you to everyone who was there to spur me on at 10, 12, 15, 17, 22 and 24 miles and the magnificent 'Connect' welcome at the finish.

And a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far - I have been overwhelmed by everyone's generosity - and if you haven't sponsored me yet it's not too late!

I've achieved a lifetime ambition and it was a fantastic experience. Thank you. Carole x

Yes, it’s true! I am running the 2009 London Marathon on Sunday 26 April and I can’t think of a better cause to support than a charity very dear to my heart – Connect - the communication disability network.

Aphasia can affect any of us at any time and at any age. It doesn’t just affect the person with the aphasia – it impacts on  the whole family.

Of course I will be running for all the 250,000 people living with aphasia in the UK but I’m especially doing this in memory of my Grandad, Aunty Betty and my mother-in-law Mary. They all had severe aphasia and sadly didn’t have the support of an organisation like ours. And I’ll be especially thinking of our good friend Colin Green, who now comes to Connect. 

I work for this very special organisation so I know that whatever you are able to donate will be very well spent.

Here’s how:

£100 will enable a person with aphasia to attend four counselling sessions
£500 provides a much-needed information day for a group of people with aphasia
£1000 will pay for a whole term of music group sessions for people with aphasia

So that’s the big sell over with. This is my first marathon and  will be an enormous personal challenge for me (I’m already VERY scared) so please dig deep – and thank you so much for your support.

Carole X