ONE WEEK TO GO!!!!  What can I say - emotions are all over the place - nervous, excited, terrified, giddy, emotional - I’ve one more little taper run (5k) and that’s it!  Then into the big day!  My stomach flips just thinking about it but I’ve found the best mantra for the day ‘Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do, what others can’t’ - thinking about that will get me through 26.2miles 

UPDATE APRIL 2021 - well training has not gone to plan thanks to a torn hamstring BUT NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP ME - so after four weeks off and lots of physio I will still be undertaking the marathon - just a jog/walk now as still healing.  Back to training and have three weeks to go!!  This has been the hardest thing I have EVER done both mentally and physically but nothing in comparison to what the patients of Trinity Hospice face every day 

UPDATE MARCH 2021 - training has been going really really well and there has been some stunning sunrises on my runs - Spring has definitely sprung.  I’ve experienced a small tear in my hamstring so currently working with a Physio to get me back on track - loosing four weeks of training will make the challenge even harder but as they say won’t don’t kill ya :-) 

UPDATE JANUARY 2021 - it is with a heavy heart that I am writing to let you know I have made the very difficult decision to postpone my marathon - new date Sunday 2nd May.  This is due to the current national lockdown in place, meaning that we should only be going outside for a limited list of essential activities and one of those isn’t to come out and support me during my run - which would have a huge impact on me.  So looking on the bright side I have chosen a date way in the future in the hope that restrictions are lifted by then.  I’ll be in touch again in March x

UPDATE DECEMBER 2020 - well the route is planned and I can now say "next month I'll be running a marathon" OH MY!!!!  still can't quite believe I've challenged myself to do a full marathon, surely a half marathon would of been enough of a challenge after a heart attack???? Training has wobbled a bit over Christmas but back out again tomorrow.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2020 - well I’ve only just done my longest run EVER!!!! 16.2 miles - only another 10 to add on!  I’m currently walking like an old lady and everything hurts but it is nothing compared to what the patients of Trinity Hospice are going through every day - so come on let’s raise some vital funds for this amazing place.  8 weeks on Friday and I’ll be running my first (and only)  marathon - please help in any way you can.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2020 - as you all know this year has been a very unusual year to say the least!   Unfortunately I cannot make the new date for London 2021.......so that got me thinking - how can I raise funds for Trinity and mark the one year anniversary of my heart attack.....that's it RUN MY OWN MARATHON IN BLACKPOOL.

So on FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY 2021 I shall be setting off and running my own 26.2 miles for a fabulous charity and to turn the last page on a year since my heart attack.

Those who don't know me so well - this is a bit about me - I started running about four years ago literally from one lamp post, walking to the next, running to the next one.   From starting there, I have now run a couple of Great North Runs (half marathons) and a number of 10ks.

Then at the age of 48 I managed to get a ballot place for London Marathon in April 2020, so took up the challenge with gusto.   Training was on plan through winter until I had a heart attack at the end of January  - no illness before, perfectly fit and healthy, in fact I had been driving just 30 minutes before.  Thanks to the quick thinking of my wife and the wonderful care of the NHS, I was treated within 20 minutes.   However, I found even with my positive outlook on life, recovery took longer than I expected and as such running has taken a back seat for far too long now, so the challenge will be huge, both mentally and physically but nothing compared to what some of the patients and families who attend Trinity are going through.

Talking of life brings me right up to who I'm running for.........for those who don't know how much more of life they will see......I can't even begin to imagine how that feels, but what I do know, is that if I ever have to - Trinity would be there to support me....so why can't I support them before?   Simples!

So please everyone - dig deep - and raise some vital funds for this amazing Hospice. 

Now a bit about Trinity - Trinity Hospice has been at the heart of the Fylde Coast for more than 30 years, providing exceptional care and support for people on the journey towards the end of life. Trinity is a hospice without walls – helping people in their own homes as much as they do at their specialist facility in Bispham. Their family of services includes In-Patient Unit, Day Therapy Unit, Hospice at Home and Community services, bereavement support through the Linden Centre and Brian House Children’s Hospice. Each year their specialist nursing teams touch the lives of thousands and will do for years to come.

Trinity Hospice is a charity and can only meet the needs of all who need them because of the generous support of the local community. They get just a third of their running costs from the Government (I know I was surprised too) to help run their hospice and services, which means they must fundraise to meet the £8 million they need each and every year.

 £3 provides a nutritious meal to tempt a poorly patient to eat 

£5 provides a journal to assist a bereaved relative come to terms with their loss

£10 provides an anti-MRSA pillow

£20 pays an for an inpatient nurse for 1 hour

£25 pays for an hour of complimentary therapy

£30 pays for 2 hours of physiotherapy to improve a patient’s comfort

£50 would cover the cost of an inpatient’s meals for a week

£100 pays for an hour in our day therapy unit for up to 18 patients.

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. 

Many thanks for visiting my JustGiving Page and I'll keep updating this page with my progress.