I DID IT!!!!!  It may have taken me 5 hours 26 min, but i did it, I ran pretty much the whole way, and whilst it was a not exactly fun, it was one of the best things i have done and an amazing experience.

Race day started with the alarm going off at 5am to get the bus from the city library at 6am. A 6 am start was the first indication that this was a serious run, and not the fun run I had in my head.

At 9.40 am I set off with the elite men and professional women, some mix up had resulted in me being entered into the fastest group on the race, clearly someone had faith in me! so whilst I was simply aiming to finish everyone else was in very short shorts and planning to finish in around 3 hours!

Perhaps if I had run further than 8 miles in training I would have found it easier but to be honest, no matter how much you train running 26.2 miles is always going to be tough.  the first 15 miles were ok and I was doing consistent 10 minute miles.  Runners often hit what is known as the wall at 18 miles, and I hit it full on and stopped dead, at this point i knew i still had 8 miles to go, a bit of mental calculation meant it would probably take about 2.5 hours to walk the rest of the way, and it actually hurt more to walk than run, so I just had to keep on going like a Duracell bunny. 

At this point the only things keepng me going was the support I had from friends, family and the people on the streets cheering me on. I had my name written in giant letters across my t-shirt, and every10-20 metres someone would cheer me on, every drinks person would tell me how amazing i was and tell me to keep on going. Not being able to be separated from my mobile phone, i had it with me and got text messages of support and messages on my facebook to keep me going and lastly I knew how much money I was raising and I had to finish.

So everyone who sponsored me thank you, if I hadn't had your support I would never have finished.  It was incredible and an experience I will never forget and I know that the money raised will make a real difference in peoples lives, the night before the race we had a get together with all the people running for Get Kids Going, and Shelly Woods spoke, she came second in the wheelchair race and made me realise how lucky I am,but how positive others can be.

It was a great experience in all respects.Rumours that I will do the Marathon in 2012 Olympics are unfounded!

26/10/09

With less than a week to go, it is slowly dawning on me just what I have signed up for, yes I will be doing  Christmas shopping in New York, going on the 'Sex and the City' tour and to see a musical on Broadway, but I will also be running the ridiculously long way of 26 miles, crossing through five districts of New York, including the Bronx and Brooklyn, (I may have to wear my bulletproof vest), running backwards and forwards across the Hudson, before collapsing in a heap in Central Park.

I am a firm believer that anything is possible if you set your mind to it, so I am confident that I will be able to complete it, although I am not sure I will be able to walk afterwards. My marathon book says that virtually any healthy person can complete a marathon, the level of training determines whether it is a tough and painful experience or just a tough one! . I have always left everything to the last minute, and I have been to the gym more in the last couple of weeks than I have in the previous few months, but its never too late for a bit of last minute cramming.

What most people find strange about me doing the marathon is that I hate running, I actually hate it with a passion, but as dad would say 'the secret of life is not to do what you like, but to like what you have to do'.  Well I signed up, I promised Get Kids Going, I would run it and that I would try to raise as much as possible and I am just going to have to get on and do it.  

It is a fantastic charity, helping disabled people across the country participate in sporting activities they otherwise wouldn't be able to do.   Every donation is gratefully accepted, and it all helps me towards my target of £3,000 which will buy a sports wheelchair. 

Thank you for visiting my page, and sponsoring me, the knowledge that so many friends and family are supporting me will definitely help keep me going.

Love

Caroline

Ok so the photo is  how most of you normally see me, out and about with a glass of wine, I am not known for my athleticism or my love of running.

After a quarter life crisis i signed up for the New York Marathon and in less than 4 weeks i am off to New York to run far far further than my little legs have ever gone before.

Most people don't realise it but I actually have metal plates and screws in my ankle from when I broke it years ago (a go-karting accident don't ask), but I was lucky and I have been able to do pretty much anything I set my mind to, others aren't so lucky and need a little bit of help. Get Kids Going provides sports equipment for disabled children and people under 26 to do sports and activities my target is £3000.00 which will pay for a special sports wheelchair.

The training is up to seven miles but I am quietly confident I should do it, everyone who donates will receive a postcard from the big apple.

Even if its just a pound your donation will be greatly appreciated.

Lots of Love

Caroline