Raised: 117%
Target: £1,500.00
Raised so far: £1,762.00
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My story

 
I did it! Thanks for all your support! On all fronts! It really helped.

It was an amazing day. The spectators were fabulous. They made a huge difference. Great energy. They didn't stop shouting and cheering, waving flags, or extending jelly beans and orange slices to flagging runners. It felt like a 26.2-mile block party representing the best of multi-cultural London.

I really liked the live music (lost count of the brass bands), encouragement (appreciated the 'well done, Colleens' as I ran past), and all the flavors of people -- from the monsignor at the Catholic Church in Greenwich sprinkling us with holy water to the congregation at the Methodist Church in Deptford dispensing samosas to passing runners. I also appreciated the runner dressed as Obama, with a 'yes you can' message pinned on his suit. And I got all choked up running through Greenwich (a place with family significance) and running over Tower Bridge.

I completed the course in about 5.5 hours, not including a 25-minute wait in the 'loo queue' around Mile 14 (which meant my official chip time is just under 6 hours: 5:59:58 thanks to a sprint at the finish). While waiting in the Portaloo queue, I saw celebrity duo Katie 'Jordan' Price and Peter Andre and entourage run past. A half hour later I overtook them. (Yes!) My goal at that point was to ensure that they didn't lap me later on. Turns out I was well ahead. What carried me through the last third were not lofty thoughts about altruism or strategic thinking about timing (OK, some of that) but competitive thoughts about not being bested by celebs. ☺

The one person I saw whom I recognized to speak with was a Queen Mary, University of London student volunteer working at Mile 18 - one of four students I met up with by chance on Friday in the Students' Union. A serendipitous coincidence, since our collective effort on this page has been on behalf of the Queen Mary student volunteer chapter of READ International (see details below my picture).

Btw, READ's London East Book Project is also nearing its 2009 finish: Over the next two weeks, besides doing exams, the QM student team will be boxing up thousands of books that have been collected (currently stored at a Big Yellow in Bow) for delivery to children in Tanzania this summer.

So, thank you all!

Love x, Colleen

PS for the 'retrospective contributors': Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: READ International gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

sorry this is so late Donation by Will McMorran 13/05/09  

Congrats again. Donation by Libby Saxton 05/05/09  

Congratulations. I always knew you had it in you Donation by bob smith 04/05/09  

Topping things off for your NEXT long-distance endeavor! Love. Donation by Rachel Adelson and Alan Breznick and Pamela 01/05/09  

Great work! Well done, Colleen. Donation by Alasdair King 30/04/09  

Hi Colleen, I did not have time to breathe on Wednesday. But please find my contribution. Best of all, my congratulations on the medal! Donation by Else Vieira 30/04/09  

Well done, Colleen. Hats off! Donation by Andreas Schonle 30/04/09  

Well done, Colleen. A brilliant achievement. Donation by Trevor Dadson 28/04/09  

Wow! Wow! Wow! Congrats. Donation by Chrystie Myketiak 28/04/09  

Yey - yes you did! Donation by Chrissie Mullings-Lewis 28/04/09  

I couldn't run the Marathon if I tried, flattering as it is the number of people who thought I was doing it! I hope it went excellently Colleen :) Donation by Hassan Yate 27/04/09  

good luck, Colleen! Donation by Jenny Cheshire 26/04/09  

Go, Colleen! Donation by Mary Bucholtz 26/04/09  

Good luck! When the going gets tough just remember that we are all behind you trying to help you along. xx Donation by Margaret and Steve 26/04/09  

I'm sure you will do marvelously! Donation by Steven Brown 25/04/09  

Colleen - you are an inspiration - feel the wind beneath your wings and enjoy every step you take - loaves and fishes !! Donation by Julie Bridgewater 25/04/09  

Good luck! Donation by Graham White 25/04/09  

Sorry I can't contribute much at the moment. Best of luck for Sunday!! Donation by Heather Heiner 24/04/09  

gur teid math agad, a ghraidh! Donation by David Adger 24/04/09  

May the road rise up to meet you... Donation by Chris Pountain 24/04/09  

Go Girl !!! Donation by Jill Greenfield 23/04/09  

Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in a race?' Donation by peter evans 23/04/09  

Very much in awe...Hope it goes really well Donation by Kiera Vaclavik 23/04/09  

Best of luck, Colleen. Donation by Michael Moriarty 23/04/09  

One more stride towards 1500 Donation by Carlos Gussenhoven 23/04/09  

Good luck Donation by Leigh Oakes 23/04/09  

Peter McGinty, Penny Robertson, Eddie Hughes, Robi Persad, Fr Bruce, the Wisconsinites... Donation by Offline supporters 23/04/09  

Good luck & ENJOY your day! Donation by Trish [gym] 22/04/09  

I am just so impressed! The very best of luck. Donation by Caroline (gym buddy) 22/04/09  

Good luck for the big day (the first one of this year!). How about Junior Walker's 'Road Runner'? Donation by Sue Fox 20/04/09  

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