27th April 2009

Yesterday I managed to complete the 29th London Marathon in 4 hours 42 mins and 56 seconds, almost 10 minutes faster than last time so I'm extremely happy!  Here's a link to my race breakdown to confirm it http://marathon.mhub3.net/M3A563FFBE1254/uk/LM_Statistics.aspx?lmrid=18893

The forecasters got the weather wrong and instead of a maximum temperature of 16 degrees, it was well in to the 20's which took its toll on everyone. However, the support en route was outstanding again and seeing family along the way was a huge mental boost when I really needed it. I finished the day with a huge smile on my face and even rememebered to raise my arms as I crossed the finish line this time!

Thank you so much to everyone who helped me to smash my orignal fundraising target, your donations will make a real difference to ALD life and for that I am so grateful.

Lots of love

Luce

x

Training Log

19/04/09 Training plan says 10, Lucy's legs say 'no'!  After finding the 16 so tough last week I decided to do my 6 mile route round Bicester instead, I don't think 4 miles will make a big difference at this stage and my legs might just thank me for it on the day.  Unfortunately I now have a 7 day stretch of work until I go and collect my running number from Excel on Friday 24th April.

13/04/09 16 Miles.  I was hoping this would feel easier after 22 but I think the miles in my legs over the past few weeks told on me today.  Still, I got round it just as I will on April 26th even if it takes all day and now the exciting thing is that I can taper my distances!

05/04/09 22 Miles. Run in 4hrs 3mins, although we did have several very civilised water station stops where we refuelled with flapjack and bananas.

23/03/09  20 Miles. Run in 3hrs 24mins. I ran this alone and didn't have a good run at all. I got round but there was a force 10 gale for most of the run and I was glad to get home - note to self, don't do these kinds of distances alone!

08/03/09 Milton Keynes Half Marathon - completed in 2hrs 8 seconds - I might have ducked under 2 hrs if it hadn't have been for that pesky wind (the weather, not me!)

01/03/09 17.8 miles run in 2hrs 53 minutes - map reading skills need a little work but the run thankfully went ok.

20/02/09 15 miles in 2hrs 26 minutes - Listened to Harry Potter on my ipod on the way round and had a pleasant run.  Slightly sore knee afterwards!

Upcoming Events

26/04/09 Flora London Marathon

ArchiveFrom now until Sunday my only challenge is to eat huge amounts of pasta, and if you know the Tipper girls and their appetite - this isn't a hard task!  My running is all done and now I just have to hope for a cool day.

The support I've had from everybody has been fantastic and means so much to me.   I will think of you all at some point in the marathon I promise and no doubt wish it were you doing it instead of me! 

All joking aside I feel very blessed that I am healthy enough to be able to get through this challenge unlike so many of the people affected by ALD.  I would like to dedicate this run to everybody who has lost a loved one or is currently battling with a diagnosis of ALD/AMN in their family.

Watch this space for my result!!

Lucy

xx4 years after my last attempt I'm giving the London marathon another go. I've promised my body this will be the last marathon I run so I'm going to try my hardest to beat my time of 4 hours 52 minutes.

I'm going to be raising funds for ALD Life again as being such a small charity every penny I can raise will really make a difference to the families affected by this devastating disease. I know that the credit crunch is hitting us all hard but I would be so grateful of anything you could donate to sponsor me. If you'd like to see more about the charity's work please take a look at their website www.aldlife.org.

05/04/09 Unfortunately I've had to give my place up for the White Horse half as I need to concentrate on getting a long run done after not feeling too well last weekend.  So, 8am tomorrow I set off with two companions to try and complete 22 miles.

Training so far is going pretty much to plan although a week out skiing and then a throat infection haven't helped matters. I'm hoping to get 14 miles under my belt this weekend - so I'll keep you posted!!

Donating through Justgiving is totally secure and also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ALD Life gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, is added to your donation.So please sponsor me now!