Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
My challenge is to complete 12 marathons in 12 months starting with the Flora London Marathon in April 2006 and finishing with the Duchy Marathon in April 2007. (full schedule at the bottom).
My target is to raise £15,000 in total. £7,500 for Ali's Dream and £7,500 for Rainbow Trust (another childrens charity).
PROGRESS UPDATE
Race 5 Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 August 13th 2006
Continuing in the same vain as the previous marathon this one was again multi terrain, although not as extreme, but this one had some serious hils. Try running up a one mile long hill after already doing 16 miles.
We completed this marathon in 4hrs 44mins which is quite a respectable time given the type of marathon it was. Im looking forward to the next one which will be largely flat and I wont need directions!
Race 4 Fairlands Valley Challenge July 23rd 2006
This was an interesting one!!! Before the race we were handed 4 pages of notes which we had to use to navigate our way around the course, as if a marathon isn't hard enough anyway. The temperature on teh day was around 27-29 degrees which is sitting in a beer garden weather, not marathon weather.
The route took us across quaries, hills, corn fields, over walls and all sorts of places that should only be accessed by strange ramblers. But we managed to complete it in 5hrs 36 minutes. This one was tough, probably the hardestto date. It was all made worth while as there was a large free b-b-q at then end...woohoo.
Race 3 (Edinburgh Marathon) June 11th 2006
Thats number 3 done!! It was certainly a tough one with the temperature arround 24 degrees and quite humid. And the hills all over the place didnt really help. We still managed to get a respectable time of 3.55.00.
My running vest tan lines and aching hips are a definate reminder today that it was a tough one. At least there is now a gap of 6 weeks until the next one which is a multi terrain marathon requiring compass and map reading skills!!
Race 2 (Halstead Marathon), May 14th 2006
This marathon came just 3 weeks after the London Marathon so I was unsure as to how I would do. On top of that the course was undulating.....thats code for hilly. The run was slightly less glamorous than London with just under 300 competitors. Despite the hills the course was challenging but very scenic run through the open countryside.
The weather was slightly warm at 18 degrees! My legs managed to survive the race thanks to lots of jelly babies and some strategically timed ibuproven. It is probably not surprising that this race was tougher than London given the fact the medical advice dictates you should run a maximum of 2 marathons a year. Anyway, my finishing time was 3hrs 43mins which bearing in mind the hills I was happy with. Time now for a medicinal glass of red. 4 weeks until the Edinburgh Marathon – d’oh!
Race 1 ( London Marathon ), April 23rd 2006
What a day. I was really looking forward to the London Marathon which I realise is a bit odd. When I woke up it as drizzly, about 12 degrees which for any other weekend would have been horrible but for the London Marathon was perfect.
In spite of the weather the London crowds came out in force to cheer on the 42,000 competitors (35,000 finished). By the end of the race, it was actually nice to be cooled off by the rain. My official finishing time was 3hrs 26mins 40secs (4,181st), a personal best and well ahead of Matthew Pinsent, Steve Redgrave and Gordon Ramsey. Bring on the next 11!!!.
Please dig deep and sponsor me online. Many thanks for your support.
Jonathan
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Rainbow Trust Children's Charity 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.