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Post-marathon update: Wow, what an amazing experience... I completed the 2012 London Marathon in 5hrs 05mins 30secs! A massive thank you to everyone for all the messages of support and very generous donations, they really kept me going on the day when I felt like I was on my last legs. Having never run a marathon before, or even a 10k run for that matter, I had no idea what to expect. The crowd support was incredible. From start to finish everybody was so friendly and enthusiastic. I highly recommend having your name printed on your running top. I lost count of the number of times I heard the crowd cheering me on, it really did help, especially during the latter stages of the race. The mass start time for the race was 9.45am but starting at the back of the field it took me half an hour just to reach the start line. I started off slower than I would have liked due to the sheer volume of runners in front of me. After about six miles the traffic thinned out and I managed to run the first 18 miles without stopping. At that point I had a 30 second break and then continued without stopping until I arrived at the 19 mile point, doing the same again until I reached 20 miles… it was at this point I hit “the wall”. In my marathon training the longest distance I had covered was just under 20 miles… my whole body was now aching, especially my thighs and knees… 26.2 miles seemed like an eternity away! Miles 20-24 were extremely tough, both physically and mentally draining but I managed to get through it by reminding myself of the excellent cause I was running for and the family and friends waiting for me at the finish line… the crowd really picked me up and by the time I got to 24 miles I had a second wind. Miles 24-26.2 were definitely the most enjoyable part of the race… London looked beautiful as I ran through Westminster down Birdcage Walk, past Buckingham Palace and then, finally, onto The Mall. As I approached the final half mile I was greeted with loud cheers from family, friends and PAC staff waiting for me at various different points on the home straight. Crossing the finishing line was an incredible feeling and running the London Marathon for PAC is something I will never forget… my knees certainly won’t! Why I am running the marathon for PAC: On the day of the marathon it will be exactly one year since I started working for PAC. Over that time I've learned a lot about the great work that PAC does in supporting adoptive families, birth families, adopted adults, and others who are involved in adoption and other forms of permanent care. I've always wanted to run a marathon, but to do it for such a worthy cause will be really special! I've worked out that I'll be running just over a tenth of a kilometre for every day since I started working at PAC. Looking at it like that it doesn't seem too daunting... maybe... :s Anyway, I have now begun training in earnest (despite a late start due to a broken wrist) and hope to be able to come in at under five hours... I do have a specific time in mind, but I'd rather to keep that to myself! I'm hoping to raise as much as possible for PAC, so please donate what you can!! 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 PAC and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting PAC's costs!

Leon's One Year Marathon

Leon's One Year Marathon

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