Story
See below for the original story - the update is: I RAN THE MARATHON!!!!!! 3 hours, 58 minutes and 35 seconds. I'm thrilled to bits with my time, thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me, and to all my friends who made it such a positive experience x x x
Check out the story in the York Press!
I’m doing what I always swore I’d never do - running a marathon! Barring acts of god or severe injury I will be taking part in the first ever Brighton marathon on Sunday 18th April 2010. Less than a week to go now… ARGH!!!
I've tailed my running right off now, and will mainly be concentrating on eating pasta - what a hardship! Guess what's for tea tonight...?
My Running so Far I started running in May 2008 as I wanted to get a bit fitter. Initially I was panting around Hob Moor (just behind my house in York) for just 10 or 15 minutes, but by January 2009 I felt confident enough to join a running club www.yorkacornrunningclub.org.uk , as I had built up to being able to run 10km. I now have quite a few 10k runs under my belt, as well as a few 10 milers and 4 half marathons. I’ve particularly enjoyed my more challenging races – the Langdale Half Marathon in the Lake District was really quite hilly (understatement…) and the Paras 10 (an army endurance race which included a big trench full of muddy water..) was an eye opener! The recent Baildon Boundary Way half marathon was brilliant as well - I think fell running may be my next challenge. Injuries I was doing really well in my training, until being struck down with tendonitis. Being a pretty inexperienced runner, I had no idea what it was, but it was so painful that my friend insisted on taking me to A&E. I was given the usual advice of ‘take an ibuprofen and stop running’ and referred to my GP who told me it was pretty unlikely I’d be able to run the marathon. After some rest and relaxation I seem to be doing ok, and have eased up a lot on the training. I 've had a few sports massages and I've got one booked for the week after the marathon to help ease my poor legs. My Charity I’m running for the Alzheimer’s Society, so hope to raise as much money as possible for a very worthy cause. When my Grandmother passed away we requested donations for this charity, so it seems fitting to do this run for them. I really hope that by the time we get old and doddery there will be a lot more awareness of how to manage this disease, as it can be so very debilitating and upsetting for all involved. Currently one in three people end their life with dementia, I'd like to see that statistic change drastically. Thanks for reading this far, thanks to all my friends for putting up with me being a running bore, and apologies in advance for how much I’m likely to harp on about the marathon over the coming month.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.