After many months hard training involving Sunday long runs, speed sessions, hill training & tempo runs, on Sunday 26th April 2009 I embarked on my first Marathon, The Flora London Marathon 2009!

My Time: 3:03:54!

My Race Stastics: Position Overall 1213; Male 1148; Age group 680!

Will I do it again: Of Course! I have already entered the ballot for 2010!

The Good News, I beat my lower end target of Sub 3:15. The Bad News, I missed my higher end target of Sub 3 hours by just 3 minutes & 54 seconds. With no sign of the earlier forecast rain, instead, with the sun beating down all morning, it was a tough run, but I managed to stick to my target pace for near on 23-24 miles. It was the last 2 miles that really hurt. Before that, I was bang on target for that 3 hour goal, but I lost 2 minutes a mile over each of the last 2 miles. I had struck the dreaded "Wall". Somehow I managed to keep on running and struggle through to the finishing line. Something inside me kept me going. That something was your support. Your support not only for me, but also for Refuge! I sincerely wish to thank you all for your words of encouragement, and especially for your donations to my fundraising cause. Refuge have asked that I pass on their gratitude too!

My Charity:

Again, may I say a HUGE "Thank You" to everyone for all your support. I am extremely grateful. All donations received are making a huge difference to Refuge & the work they can provide.

Refuge are a wonderful & deserving charity. They provide education, practical advice, support, counselling and safe-houses, as well as working incredibly hard to influence the public agenda, rebuild lives and to campaign for legislation to ensure the safety of women and children. They rely heavily on the fundraising support gained from people like ourselves through events such as the London Marathon. I hope you will be able to support me as I raise funds for their cause by running the London Marathon on 26th April 2009.  

For more information on the wonderful work that Refuge Provide, please visit their site: www.refuge.org.uk

Your donation will not only be vital as I strive to reach my fundraising target, but it will be a wonderful form of support as I undertake the challenge of training and preparing for the event on 26th April 2009. Please, please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Refuge will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now & many thanks for your support.

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After 12 months Preperation, 4 months Hard Training, 2 pairs of shoes, a dodgy chest infection & about 650 miles in Training since the start of the year, tomorrow it's the BIG One, "The Flora London Marathon 2009". I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed since I commited myself to running the marathon. At first it all seemed very daunting, but, as you can see below I have trained hard, and now I am looking forward to the race itself! At times it seemd all I did was either Run, Eat or Sleep as I prepared for the Marathon. Your support has been fantastic, especially on the days when I have felt like "I've had enough". With the training now over, I cannot wait for Tomorrow!

Wish me luck!

Ciaran.

Past Results: & Training Diary

Tuesday 21st April 2009 - Final Speed Training Session. At least now i know i can get to the Start line Quickly if I oversleep on Sunday!

Sunday 19th April 2009 - Final Long run, but with the taper, this weeks 10 Miles really just felt like a walk in the park! Next Sunday is the BIG One. 

Easter Sunday 12th April 2009 - 18-20 Miles run in 2 Hours 30. The Final Major run of my training plan. And so the Taper continues.... Next Sunday only 12 miles to contend with.  

Sunday 5th April 2009 - I decided to concentrate on "Time on my feet" this morning, Running, Sprinting & Jogging, completing 21 miles in 3 & 1/2 Hours. And so the TAPER begins...

Sunday 29th March 2009 - Bloody Cold this morning, and with the clocks going forward an hour, hard to get out out of bed. Thankfully i had a running partner planned and did a 10 mile hilly run through Epping Forest! Its a good run. I could definately feel the after effects on Monday! 

Sunday 22nd March 2009 - Good Week of training. Completed 1st 3 hour run on Saturday (Approx 20 miles), followed by 8 mile recovery run on Sunday. 5 Weeks to go.

Sunday 15th March 2009 - Silverstone 1/2 Marathon - What a cracker! Finished 62nd out of 10,000, in a time of 1hour, 23minutes & 32 seconds! A new Personal Best!

Sunday 08th March 2009 - Back on track! I have been easing myself back into training after my week off, and have just finished the week with a 20 mile Run, completed in 2:22:00 - 7:06/mile. Bang on my Desired Marathon pace!

Sunday 01st March 2009 - Roding Valley 1/2 marathon. Another Race that didn't happen! - Dissapointed as I am, I decided not to run this race as I am recovering form a chest infection this week. I hope to get back into training on monday! 

Sunday 22nd February 2009 - 20 mile Training Run, completed in 2 hours, 28 minutes - Longest Run to date. I'm very pleased with the achievement. 9 weeks till the marathon, so feelimg confident about my training plan! 

Tuesday 17th February 2009 - Hill Training. This is HARD Work... 12 times up the Forest Road to Waterworks Corner & 12 times Jog back down for recovery. Knackered, but I'm sure there is reasoning in the madness somewhere!

Friday 13th February 2009 - Training Run - Long Run. 18 miles! Great Training Run, just edged on a little frurther than last week! Feeling more confident about the marathon itself!

Sunday 08th February 2009 - Training Run - Sunday Long Run. 17 miles! Longest Run to Date - Great Training Run! Feeling Very Good!

Sunday 25th January 2009 - Training Run - Sunday Long Run. 15.5 miles in 120 Minutes. Good Training run! Feeling good!

Sunday 18th January 2009 - Les Witton Memorial 10 Mile Road Race Dartford. This was the first time that I competed in a 10 mile race. I found it to be a tough Race. The course was a challenging, undulating course, but I was delighted with my finishing time - 69 minutes & 10 Seconds! A personal Best, as it was my first 10 mile run! 

Sunday 14th December 2008 - Bedford 1/2 Marathon - 91 Minutes 25 seconds. Pleased with time, but struggled the last 3 miles home. Sore knees, so going to rest for a few weeks!

Friday 14th November 2008 - Run to work 9 Miles - 60 Minutes 45 seconds. Very pleased with time.

Friday 07th November - 14.00 miles Exactly - Longest run to date, at a good steady speed - completed in 1 hour 45 minutes. 

Sunday 02nd November 2008 - Rainforest 10K @ Finsbury Park. Completed in 41 Mins 12 seconds. Not a PB, but a good time on a very hilly route!

24th October 2009 - At last, I managed to brush asside the doubts and ran to work. 9.5 Miles / 15.29Km. Took 63 Minutes & 40 Seconds. I actually quite enjoyed the run to work and will definately try and make this part of my regular running schedule!

26th September 2009 - Friday 26th September Grand Finale of the Inter Agency 5K Challenge @ Regent Park (Creative Agencies vs Media Agencies) - 19 Minutes & 23 Seconds - What a cracker to end the season on! Despite still recovering from my cycle accident, I have ended the season on "TOP FORM"

21st September 2008 - New Forest 1/2 Marathon 21.1K - The Race that didn't Happen! Unfortunately I had to withdraw from this race! Due to a cycle accident on 10th September, I am injured and therefore was unfit to compete. I am devestated at missing this event, but look forward to competing next year instead! I am resting well and hope to be able to Jog the Inter Ageny 5K Grand Finale this Friday 26th September. Keep your fingers Crossed. Thanks

31st August 2008 - Nike Race the World 10K @ Wembley Stadium. Completed corse in 39minutes & 45seconds. Came 157th out of 20,000 in London, 2282nd out of 1,000,000 in the world! Absolutely Delighted! Very, Very Happy!!

17th August 2008 - 1st 1/2 Marathon Completed - Hackney Marshes UFDance Runners Quest 1/2 Marathon - Time 86minutes & 46 Seconds - Fantastic time. Very Pleased!

01st August 2008 - 16.5K completed in training in 80 minutes. Delighted with the distance covered. Good Long Run, but taken at a gentle easy pace. Looking forward to building on this Stamina. 2 weeks till I tackle my first 1/2 Marathon, so this has put me in good stead! 

20th July 2008 - Great London 10K - Completed course in 40 minutes and 5 seconds. Race was 500 meters longer than the Blaydon Rece in June, and completed in the same time! Very happy with result. Aiming to crack the 40 minute barrier next time!  

09th June 2008 - Blaydon Rece Newcastle to Blaydon 5.9miles 9.5km - Completed course in 40 minutes & 5 seconds. Delighted with preformance.

30th May 2008 - 2nd Inter-Agency 5K run in Regent Park. I found it hard to find my pace, but happy with finishing time - 20minutes & 10seconds

14th May 2008 - Happy that I have rested injure, and ready to ease (more carefully) back into full training.

05th May 2008 - 30 Mins, 6.95K, nursing pain in calf Muscle, decided to rest for at least one week!

02nd May 2008 - 60 Mins, 13.85K, Great Run. Very happy with achievement! - Aim to improve by running 14K in 60Mins!

28th April 2008 - 50 Mins, 11.63K, Making Steady Progress. Verry happy.

21st April 2008 - 40 Mins, 9.25K, Steady Progress, building on Stamina, Aim to increase Long Run to 50 Mins.

18th April 2008 - 40 Mins, 9.15K, Marked improvement on first run. Happy with Speed and distance covered. Building up Stamina.

14th April 2008 - 40 Mins, 9.10K, Great First run! Never run for 40 Mins before - Very Happy with Achievement.

Note: If you have any Fundraising Tips or Suggestions, or if you could support my fundraising campaign in any other way, i would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact me on ciaran4refuge@yahoo.com