Story
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">26.2 miles done - Dublin Marathon completed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That was an exceptional experience. I don't know if you can describe running 26.2 miles as fun, but that truly was how it was, incredible fun!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It took me longer than I expected - 5 hours and 10 minutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The people along the way were great. They made you feel as if they had turned out just to cheer you on individually. The hills were mean. The elevation map had promised no more hills after mile 22, but that was a lie. That said - every hill had some form of motivational banner to help you get up that incline.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hubby actually did expect me to sprint to the finish. I declined the offer. All the pictures of us along the way show me smiling. Lucky there was not a photo taken just as hubby is suggesting I put some effort into it and speed up some.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">All in all it was a fabulous, fun experience and we have managed to raise just over £600 for Mercy Ships. THANK YOU to everyone who has made this possible. Special THANK YOU to the little ones giving up their pocket money - love and hugs to you all!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This money will go towards funding the amazing work that Mercy Ships do.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">£40 will provide eye surgery for someone</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">£50 could provide orthopedic surgery</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">£40 cleft lip surgery</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is just a tiny example of where the money will be used.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I will continue to think of ways to raise funds for this wonderful charity and hopefully you will decide to help me reach my goal so that Mercy Ships can contine to give hope to those that need it the most - for that I'd like to say a HUGE THANK YOU, every penny counts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You can also donate by text message - just text Kath83 £1 to 70070 - to donate £1</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I did say that I'd never run another marathon, but after a cup of tea, chocolate biscuit and a hot bath I volunteered for the Berlin Marathon next year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Watch this space and I will keep you updated!</p>