Post Marathon update
I am sooo , soooo relieved that is all over. Thanks a million to everyone who supported me. I teamed up with Mark Rogers from Greenbank station, Plymouth and the two of us ran the race together. I couldn't have done it so quickly without him. Thanks for being there, Mark! We broke the record for the fastest fully kitted fire-fighters in a time of 5 hours 36 mins. It was hell from about the 8th mile. Those boots just weren't made for running. We were both suffering from the heat inside those jackets, the mass of broken blisters on our feet, the cuts and abrasions caused by the BA sets on our backs. But the crowd were really great and we had a massive amount of support. Thanks to all those people lining the route, even the guy who thought we were builders ?!!
Crossing the finish was such an enormous relief. Just wanted to collapse, really. Still, it was worth it because we both raised a lot of money for our two charities. But if I ever think of doing it again, will someone give a good slap.

What I previously wrote:

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
Let me introduce myself. I am a 43 year old retained firefighter from Chagford Fire Station in Devon. I am also a keen runner. I am running in the 2008 London Marathon and am hoping to raise money for charity by running in my complete firefighting kit, including helmet and breathing apparatus cylinder. It's going to be hard, hot and tough but with your support I can make it.

Currently the record for the fastest marathon in full fire kit stands at 7 hours 10 mins, by fire-fighter Gary Speakman of Stretford. Well done to him. I am intending to beat this record this year.

The charity I have selected is the Frenchay After Burns Childrens Club. Their website is www.fabclub.org.uk
The Chagford crew decided that this charity supporting the work of Frenchay Burns Unit (the only burns unit in the South-West) was a very appropriate charity to support. I hope you think so too.

Please give whatever amount you are able to. Help to support these children that have been both physically and mentally damaged by fires in the south-west. Your donation will help them come to terms with their injuries and grow into happy and fulfilled adults. I will be pushing my body to its limit on the 13th April. Please give me the motivation to cross the finish line, by sponsoring my efforts.

If you have any questions you want to ask me, please contact me at the following email address:-
paul@mythicgarden.eclipse.co.uk

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Frenchay After Burns Children's Club 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.

PROGRESS UPDATE
Thurs 10th April
Last night the Bullers Arms in Chagford held a bingo night in aid of my challenge, and nearly £400 was raised. Thanks a million to Wendy, Maurice and all who helped out and supported me. That has bumped up the total raised for the FAB club by a considerable amount and will certainly help get me round the course.

Mon 7th April
Oh my gawd...not long to go now!
Only a few more training runs left to do. It's really just winding down, a few short easy runs to keep everything shipshape. I've eaten the potatoes, so no more runs with them.Starting to get a bit nervous now, especially as everyone keeps telling me I must be mad. Still, the money I am raising is all going to a very god cause, so the pain will be worth it. If you are reading this and havent yet donated, please do give genorously.

Wed 27th March
Well, it's getting close now. Have been training with a rucksack full of spuds! 10kg of the westcountry's finest potatoes are resident in my running sack. Really slows me down, but hopefully will benefit me on the day. Seemed to work as I took part in the Bampton to Tiverton race on Easter Monday and didnt do badly. Seemed to bounce along without those spuds!

Tues 18th March
Did a 19 mile run on Sunday and felt pretty good even at the end. Must have been the birch sap I have been drinking (is this a banned substance?!!). Decided I need to start running with weight on my back, so am going to put 10 kg in my rucksack and run with that from now on. Mmmm..should make Meldon Hill interesting!
Tried wearing cut-off socks in my fire boots to stop rubbing, which seems to give a nice tight fit. Won't really know until the day!

Sat 23rd Feb
Well, I have just finished a marathon in South Devon and I'm knackered!
The Endurancelife South Devon coastal marathon. A really tough course, seemed to go on forever. Decided to run with a rucksack on my back with a load of kit, to simulate running with BA cylinder on back. That'll be why I felt dead about 5 miles from the end, then! So now I have more idea how I'll feel on 13th April.
Think I 'm going to rest for a few days before I start training again.