Thanks for visiting my fundraising page: the observant among you will note that, because so many of you have given so generously

I HAVE NOW REACHED MY INCREASED TARGET of £3000!!    HOWEVER, further donations are welcome as this is a very small charity supporting research that may help you and I or loved ones in the future

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL GENEROSITY

Well it is all over - at least for another year...

YES I did it - 4hr 22min 1sec - results can be seen here:

http://results-2009.london-marathon.co.uk/

Either type in name or run number - 33978

I achieved 24th in my age group and my time makes me eligible for a "Good for Age" place next year. SO - Monday I was never running another Marathon, Tuesday I was wavering... Now husband Simon has entered the ballot for next year so it may be a joint effort next year.

What a fantastic experience. Friends who supported me along the way provided amazing boosts as well as the most amazing crowd - thank you everyone, it is an experience I will never forget!!!

My 22 mile 'long run' the other weekend really boosted my confidence.  As for dealing with my knee, I have it sussed (helpful hints from those who have been there done that); take 2 ibuprofen before the start and don't stop running under any circumstances...  My physio was typically sympathetic, saying 'You're running a marathon, you know about pain.'  Although that might just have been in reference to the acupunture needles he was sticking me with...

Now I'm tapering down to conserve my energy for the main event: 40 miles total this week, 30 next and 20 the week after.  Having a relatively relaxed Easter weekend.

Yesterday I got my name printed on the ART purple vest (Spinnaker in Kingston; excellent value and service, the owner's a runner too!) so I will hopefully get some encouragement from the crowds along the route. 

Talking to my son the other evening, we discussed his sponsorship: his first suggestion was £1 per mile plus £10 per minute under 4:30.  When I pointed out that this would cost him £300 plus if I hit the 4 hour mark, he had a re-think.  I wait with bated breath for whatever complicated mathematical commitment he comes up with...

I decided to run the London Marathon (26 April 2009 - not long to go) to show that turning 60 is not a time to stop, nor even start winding down in life. As one person succinctly put it - "You're going to kick 60 in the a**e ". Before this decision, the last time I ran a race was when I won my school senior girls cross country at the age of 16!

Having got the 10 mile (Cabbage Patch) race under my belt - 1128 out of 1492 finishers and an age graded percentage of 66.76 (so not last!)  in October,  I have now run two half marathons (Berkhamsted & Silverstone) 

Berkhamsted demonstrated that running a marathon is not about competition but about team work - even with people you don't know. I was taken under the wing of others in the race and coaxed along - then sent on ahead to try for my attempt at 2 hours (just missed it at 2:02:29!). At the end of the race when the others who were supporting me came in they were genuinely pleased to have been able to support.

At Silverstone I broke the 2-hour mark (1:58.05...); much to my surprise I was in the top 1/3 of the field at 3069th (507th woman) and even more surprising I was second fastest in my W60 category. 

I'm really pleased to see how my sponsorship is mounting up; everyone is being so generous, and I'm touched that my friends care so much.

I have chosen Alzheimer's Research Trust as this devasting condition could affect anyone. Many of you, like me, will have witnessed the damage it inflicts on loved ones.  I have the privilege of working with many talented researchers and seeing the positive signs for the future, and I am pleased to support their and similar research that might find any ways to aleviate the effects of this condition.   

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Alzheimer's Research Trust 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.

So please sponsor me now!