Well we've completed the first race - it was a fantastic experience and took us 2hrs 49mins (not as fast as I'd hoped!!!)

Started the race with a hand slap from Sting - a pretty good start but it had taken 35 minutes to get to the start line. But I guess getting 51,000 people started for a race was never going to be a quick process!!!

It was a scorching hot day and I struggled with the heat at miles 3 & 4. Finally got into the shade and cooled down a bit which then helped to get into a steady pace for the rest of the race.

The entire 13.1 miles of the course had cheering crowds of supporters which really added to the whole experience!

The Red Arrows flew across and frightened the life out of me but was an amazing spectacle that provided a much needed distraction towards the end of the run!!!

So a massive thankyou to everyone that has supported us so far and if you're only just reading this I hope you think we deserve some more support to try and hit our target for St.Gemma's!!!

xx

 

Original Message:

Hi

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Well I'm sure that you all already know that I completed the Leeds half marathon last year to raise funds for St. Gemma's hospice in Leeds. This is the hospice that looked after my Uncle when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and they made sure that his final days were as comfortable as possible.

This year I wanted to raise the stakes with my fund raising for St.Gemma's and decided that I would register to run the Great North Run (20th September) and the Great South Run (25th October). I will complete the 2nd race 2 days before my 40th birthday so no early celebrations for me but hopefully a double celebration when I've completed it!!!

As ever Ron is my running partner and our fund raising is a joint effort. He is the person who quietly supports me with my training and injuries (currently having discomfort with my IT band :-(, please don't laugh!)  whilst I tell everyone who will listen about my jogging exploits!!!

I still wouldn't describe myself as a natural jogger but I am committed to my training as I am determined to complete both of these runs whatever the weather - it has rained at the Great South run for at least the last 5 years!!

Please consider sponsoring us as your donation will make a big difference to the hospice -:

It costs St Gemma's Hospice £375 per day to care for one In-Patient

It costs St Gemma's Hospice £200 to provide a Day Hospice session for a patient

It costs St Gemma's Hospice £175 for a St Gemma’s community nurse to visit a patient in their own home

It costs St Gemma's Hospice £65 to provide a complementary therapy session for a patient.

It costs St Gemma's Hospice £50 to provide a session with a specialist bereavement worker

It costs St Gemma's Hospice £25 to provide a blood transfusion to an Out-patient

 

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks for your support

Amanda & Ron

xx