....I DID IT....I DID IT....I DID IT....I DID IT....I DID IT....
Time: 5hrs 58 mins Overall position: 32895
What an amazing day. From start to finish, the sun shone and the crowds never stopped cheering. I felt truly privileged to be a part of this event and the runners I spoke to throughout the day also had incredible stories to tell. From the mother running in memory of her 17 year-old daughter to the young soldier running with a prosthetic leg and one arm.....you see these guys and the pain in your legs becomes irrelevant. Most of all the crowds cheering you on, calling out your name at every turn. Coming along embankment with just 2 miles to go I found renewed energy and was overtaking runners, when a guy yelled out: "Come on Katy, you could win this!" I nearly collapsed laughing......Thank you everyone for your support and sponsorship monies - you've given me the experience of a lifetime!
I also want to thank the following people who have contributed to my sponsorship monies offline via cheques and cash, a staggering £1,672.79
So, in no particular order, a huge thank you to:
Denise & Jim Curzon, John & Syd Nutt, Murray & Lynne, John Austin, Eric Dunn, Sally, Simon & Tracey Luhr, John Sweeting & Jane, Rt Hon Nicholas Soames MP, Margaret & Edward Belsey, John Saull, Pat Bailey, Cllr Clive Chapman, Claire Todd, Jason Redford Ross, Alan Cleverly OBE, Joe & Jo Brice, Lorraine Wickington, Iris & Arthur John, Barrie & Valerie Riley, Ann Seymour, Dennis Downe, Bob & Jean Drew, Valerie White, June Seager, Mary Newstead, Gill Edwards, Peggy Walmesley, Penny Sinclair, Dr Hywel Thomas, Paul & Cassie Vallone, Dr Jean Peacey, Mike Duffy, Colleen, Chris Snell, Astrid Lewis, Marion Jones, Jacqui and wonderful London cabbie Justin Jago, who donated the entire cab fare to this cause and to me, a complete stranger - what a star, thanks Justin! Also thanks to Seymour & Dench Florists in Haywards Heath, Pat Wheatley, Daphne Griffin, Shirley & Henry Williams and everyone at Rochester & Strood Conservative Association, especially fellow marathon runner David Coomber! Donations still coming in and thanks to: Cllr Pete & Jan Bradbury, John & Cllr Sue Seward, Mike Martin & Lisa Van Dyck and Cllr Jane Keel. Also thanks to Jane Scott, Pravin Mistry and Phil Spain of Oriel School, Crawley; Arabella Andrup and my lovely neighbour Ann in Broxmead Lane. More money just in from my old University chum Joe Atkinson and his soon-to-be bride, Ann! Also thanks to Crispin Salimbeni for his generous donation.
On 20th April 1984 my teenage world was turned upside down.
Ed Waller, my father, died from prostate cancer.
This year's London Marathon is almost 25 years to the day of this anniversary.
Dad was a London boy, the eldest of seven children.
I am running to celebrate his life.
I am running to remember the good times we shared:
.....his laughter; his weird way of dancing round the kitchen table; his terrible jokes; the way his mouth curled up mischievously when he smiled; his love of Turkish Delight; the comical way he ran around our garden to escape when next door's bull broke in; his singing songs (badly) in the car; the smell of his cigars; his expecting my boyfriends to call him 'sir'.....
I am running to raise money to help find a cure for prostate cancer.
I am running to prevent another girl becoming a woman without her father there to guide her through all life's important challenges.
PS/ Message to the girls: this one's for all the boys in your life so please, dig deep, they are SO worth it!
PPS/ Message to the boys: this is my first, ever marathon and I am not one of life's 'natural runners'....please show me your support fellas!
THANK YOU FROM ME AND MY FATHER. xx
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