Liam Hall
Liam's London Marathon 2019!
Fundraising for Ashgate Hospice
Story
Why I'm running the London Marathon
As many of you know, in November 2015 my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and only 6 months later he lost his battle and passed away in Ashgate Hospice, aged 54.
Although this was a very difficult time for my family it was made a lot easier by the support and care given by Ashgate Hospice. Seeing my Dad comfortable in the final weeks of his life has made me so grateful for such an amazing charity, and I want to run the London Marathon in memory of my Dad and in recognition of the invaluable work Ashgate Hospice do every day.
On and off for around 8 years I have tried to get into the London Marathon, without success. This year I was successfully chosen for a golden bond entry to run for Ashgate Hospice! If you feel you would like donate to cheer me on and support the great work they do, I would be incredibly grateful.
I DID IT!
The day finally came and I somehow dragged myself through 26.2 miles of London streets and across the finish line! It was a fantastic atmosphere and the crowds were incredible - my eardrums were distorting at some points along the route as it was so loud. Running with 40000 other people was a great feeling and felt very special, especially as some of my family were waiting for me along the route to cheer me on. I set off a little too quick and around mile 18 I felt the consequences of it, meaning the last 8 miles were REALLY tough. I finished in 4 hours, 23 minutes and 53 seconds, which I was so pleased with as at one point I thought I would never finish it. I'm feel very achey and tired today and I can't walk up and down stairs very easily, but I've got a great wife to help me recover!
Thank you to each of you for your support along my journey. With the last few donations still to come in you will have helped me reach my £2000 target for Ashgate Hospice, which I know will make huge difference to so many people like my Dad and their families. I'm not a very outwardly emotional person, but there were a few times during and after the run that I felt quite overwhelmed with it all. I feel very proud to have remembered my Dad this way, raising money for such a remarkable charity whilst fulfilling a personal goal I've long set myself too. I apologise in advance if you have to see my medal or hear me talk about the marathon a dozen times, it's just that it means so much to me.
Thank you,
Liam
UPDATE: 26th April 2019
Just 2 days to go! Wow, I cannot believe this time has come, especially as it's been 18 months since I found out I was running for Ashgate. This will be my last update until the marathon is complete as I'm travelling down to London this afternoon. I am full of so many feelings of anticipation and excitement, and frustratingly I'm also full of a cold. Fingers crossed it will have cleared up by Sunday. I keep having dreams about me missing the start of the marathon or that I can't complete it... maranoia! I completed my last long run of 10 miles last weekend and have been smashing carbs into my body like nothing else - I'm not gonna lie, this has been the best bit of my training so far.
Most importantly, I am truly overwhelmed by your support. Today you tipped me over the 90% mark of my £2000 target, which is very hard for me to articulate and express how grateful I am. Your support has helped keep me going when I've wanted to give up on so many occasions, and from the bottom of my heart I thank every one of you for helping me reach this point.
UPDATE: 16th April 2019
Less than 2 weeks to go! I've significantly reduced my miles and am trying to rest as much as I can. I think I'm using all my extra free time productively... I'm just eating everything! The other day I ran a PB in the Sheffield Half Marathon of 1:42:20, which was probably a little too quick for my training plan but I was so pleased overall - the crowds were amazing! The biggest news though is how much you've helped me get closer to my £2000 target for Ashgate. You've helped me raise an extra £500 in the last week alone, which is phenomenal!!! A million thank you's again to everyone for all your support.
UPDATE: 9th April 2019
Today I passed the 50% mark with fundraising! Thank you for all your help getting me to this point and supporting me, whether that be through your donations, sharing of my story with others or for your words of encouragement. I also found out this week that I'm going to be in the next print of the Derbyshire Times and one of the football programmes for a Chesterfield FC game, which I'm very thankful for too. Ashgate are a brilliant charity and I'm so pleased others will hear of the life changing work they do every day.
Last weekend I completed the biggest run in my training plan - 20 miles! I've been rather scared of that number for a long time and it feels great to finally reach it. 3 hours of non-stop running was very tough though and it took a few days to recover from... I don't think I've ever been so exhausted in all my life! Just 3 weeks and 6.2 miles more to go... thankfully I now get to taper my runs and reduce the distance. Looking forward to the Sheffield half marathon this weekend!
UPDATE: 31st March 2019
My longest run so far today at just over 16 miles around Ladybower and Derwent reservoir. Stunning views but some serious mind games and aching afterwards. Somehow I've got to find another 10 miles?! Your support and donations make a huge difference and constantly remind me of why I am doing this. Thank you!
UPDATE: 13th March 2019 (a year later!)
It's been a long time since my last update. Thankfully my ankle did eventually heal up but for a very long time I wasn't able to run anything further than a few miles due to the pain coming back. Perfect for parkruns, not perfect for marathon training!
Flash forward into 2019 and it is now just over 6 weeks to go until the marathon. I can't tell whether I'm nervous or excited. Over the past few weeks I've been building my running back up and I recently did my longest ever run of 14 miles - it was completely spontaneous and I even had to call a taxi because I finished so far away from home... sorry to the driver for my horrible stench! Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, I'm getting back into fundraising again now and would appreciate anything extra you could spare to donate to this wonderful charity.
UPDATE: 26th March 2018... deferred entry until 2019 :(
If you haven't already heard (and laughed), unfortunately a yogurt pot has resulted in me having to defer my London Marathon entry until 2019. Back in Janurary I was ambushed by a Müller Light on an evening run, resulting in an ankle sprain and no running for 3 months. Thankfully things are now on the mend and I'm gradually getting back into running again... but staying well-away from all refrigerated dairy products!
I've also had to make this new donation page due to changing marathons and so, sadly, your wonderful comments and messages from before are no longer visible... BUT all of the £625 you helped me raise up to now is still donated to Ashgate. Thank you very much to everyone who has supported me so far on this journey.