Update 27th April

It's Over.

After 6 hours 29 Minutes and a few seconds, I crossed the line completing my first London Marathon. The weather was hot, I'd hit the wall, but still managed to cry, laugh and raise my hands in celebration as I crossed the line. I was doing fine for the first 13.1 Miles as this was completed in about 2 hours 30 mins, but after rounding the Isle of Dogs, the legs left me.

I beat Peter Andre and Katie Price dropped out! Thanks for all your support I did need it on the last 8.2 miles while I was walking in as I had nothing left to give running.

Would I do it again? NO at the moment, but things may change if I’m talked round it. It was a great atmosphere to be among 36,000 runners and something I’m proud to have completed. I laid down after having a shower, bath and shower last night and it went from 1900 to 0700 this morning. Lovely deep sleep and the curtains and blinds were still open when I got up.

Saw Roy, Laura, Martin, Caroline, Frances, Adrian, Kellie, Simon, Wendy and Rachel (possibly more) on the route and my phone has had so many text messages since finishing and even they didn’t wake me up. I’ve been told I was seen on TV about 1230 as I crossed Tower Bridge and will take Tarnya’s word for it.

Time for a beer, glass of wine or champagne to celebrate.

Photo’s to follow once I’ve got the link, but will probably add to my Justgiving website or on facebook.

Thanks all again for all your sponsorship.

Karl.

Update Sunday 5^th April.

I’m writing this after getting back and re-hydrating from a hot Sunday morning 16 miles around Kingston. Joining about 4000 others in the starting line at 0830, we went through Kingston Town Centre, over Kingston Bridge, along the towpath to Hampton Court, left over the bridge and up to the Scilly Isles before the long Portsmouth Road back into Kingston.

On it’s own, it’s 8 miles, but with just 3 weeks to go, I decided to do the 2^nd loop and complete the 16 miles.

Once again, I find myself near the back of the pack, just to avoid tripping anyone else up and plodding along. 4 miles seemed to pass quite quickly and I was at Hampton Court, then the drag up to the Scilly Isles was the 5^th Mile and a Lucozade drink stop, before being overtaken on the last mile (of my first lap) by the eventual winner heading back to Kingston. I was tempted to go to the right and finish there and then.

I manage to avoid the automatic cut off of those starting the 2^nd lap because they were too slow doing the first, and plod along completing the 16 miles in about 3 hours 22 mins. I say about as the chip readings from each individual, will be available on Tuesday after they’ve all been double checked.

After completing, we get a finishing medal – well, a MUG as a reward, rather rubbish compared to other races and a great comment from one of our Explorers from the Jamboree handing out water and lucozade to finishers – “You look tired!” Well surprisingly James, after doing 16 miles, I think most people would.

But there is still time to improve and now having a 16 miler under my belt, that’s almost 2/3rds of the Marathon and I’m a little off of my target time of 5 hours, but the support on the day will drag up along so I keep getting told.

Previous runs and info…

Brooklands 10k – 71 Minutes

Silverstone Half Marathon 13.1 Miles – 2 hours 43 minutes

Thank you also to those that have donated blood as part of my fundraising aim, so far 16 pints have been tracked from the list and I’m adding these at a value of £25.00 per donation so an extra £400.00 to be added to my online figure.

www.justgiving.com/karlbromley

And finally… Those that haven’t seen the pics, here is the link from the events.. Comments rcvd include..

“Did the cameraman like you, or were you that slow?”

“I didn’t know they let Tanks on race tracks!”

My so called Friends!!!!!

http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=19802009W2&LastName=BROMLEY&BibNumber=8807 

http://www.sportcam.net/CompetitorImage.aspx?ID=1856&General=No

Karl.

Updated 24th Feb.

Hello all,

Well it’s just 60 days away now and I’m in full flow ready for running the London Marathon. I recently went up to the London Air Ambulance who is my main charity for a photo shoot and managed to coincide with one of the best days so far this year and could see for miles.

I’m hoping for a sub 5 hour time, but I’ll be happy getting round in one piece. I’ve had some practice runs and have got some more coming up including the half marathon around Silverstone in the middle of March and then Kingston’s breakfast run at the start of April before the final countdown.

If you wish to sponsor me to plod around the 26.2 miles or 42.2 Kilometres, I’ve got an  Justgiving fundraising site that you can pledge online. My site is at www.justgiving.com/karlbromley. You can see a picture of me in front of the Helicopter.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: London's Air Ambulance gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

I went up to visit the Air Ambulance to understand the services they offer and the speed at their response. From the start of a shout, to being in the air, they take less than 3.5 minutes. They can get from Whitechapel, Central London to Heathrow in approx 9 minutes. It took me 1 hour 25 minutes to get home via public transport and the London Underground.

I found out there are 3 of us this year running for HEMS and the money you donate will go towards the re-stocking of equipment onboard after each flight. On average they assist in 3 shouts a day, but may be in the air for more and be turned back as not needed once another vehicle has arrived at the scene.

The equipment allows the doctor to have a mobile theatre room at the scene to save someone’s life!

So please sponsor me now!

If you have any questions, please feel free top drop me a line and I’ll let you know when I’m back online and not out running. If you’d prefer to sponsor me offline, you can send a cheque to me and I’ll add to the figure online.

Thanks

Karl