Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
After a long time of thinking about it, but taking no action, I have decided to run a marathon this year. I will therefore be running the 2008 Berlin Marathon on 28th September in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
You may be wondering why Berlin ? Well the time of year suits me and also the Berlin course is a notoriously flat, fast course, with the current world record having been set at the 2007 race by Haile Gebrselassie at 2 hours, 4 minutes 26 seconds. Not that I am aiming to beat that time, if I can get round in anything close to twice that time I will be delighted !
The date is also a special one for me as the day of the race is my 17th wedding anniversary !
I am sure you are aware of the superb work that Macmillan Cancer Support does throughout the country in improving the lives of people affected by cancer.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support 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, please sponsor me now! Your help will be very much appreciated by me and Macmillan !
My campaign is in its early stages, but to help me, my fellow directors at Knowlden Titlow Financial Services Limited have very kindly agreed to donate £500, so a very big thank you to Andy, Neil and Debbie!
I am now through 4 weeks of my training (quarter of the way already !), which continues to go well, though I do have one or two of the inevitable "niggles" that I am sure most runners have to put up with! I will keep you updated on further progress on this page in due course.
Training latest
I'm now in week 6, my long run last week was 15 miles, which went well, now moving up to 18 miles at the end of this week !
Mark (17/7/08)
End of week 6 - 18 mile run was ok but toiugh last couple of miles, 20 is the distance for this weeks (7) long run (this is getting serios now !).
Mark (22/7/08)
Now completed week 7 - and the first 20 mile run this weekend (could have picked a slighlty cooler one for the longest run so far !). However, I'm pleased with the time and progress so far.
Mark (28/7/08)
Half way through training ! The end of September is coming quickly now. A shorter, faster run this weekend, training still going pretty much to plan. I have a last race (half marathon) this coming weekend, my last race before the big day.
At this stage, a very big thank you to everybody who has pledged money so far, I have been overwhelmed by peoples generosity, and have already raised a sum far beyond my expectations. Thank you again for your support !
Mark (4/8/08)
Less than six weeks to go now, training still on schedule. I ran my longest training run last week (22 miles) and got through it ok, so it's just an question of keeping the training going now and keeping fit ! More updates soon.
Mark (18/8/08)
Training becoming a bit of a chore now, could do with the run being a week or two earlier, but time wise I am still really pleased with how I am running. The funds raised contunue to come in at a regular pace, so thanks again to everyone who has, or will, contribute ! I am continually raising my target !
Mark (26/8/08)
Training going fine (until I came of my bike on Friday ! fortunately no damage done, to me that is, my bike's a state !). However, now less than three weeks to go to the big day, and I am really looking forward to it. Just one long run left to do (20 miles this Sunday). Then a gradual reduction in mileage, if I stick to the plan - more updates before the day.
Mark (8/9/08)
Completed my last long run this weekend, and in a slightly better time than the previous time I ran 20 miles, so still all going to plan. Now less than two weeks to go, can't wait for the day to arrive now. Have revised my fundraising target again, now hoping to get to £4,500 - amazing !
Mark (15/9/08)
Just a few days to go now ! Last main run at the weekend (10.5 miles) completed without a hitch, so just need to avoid all of the colds doing the rounds this week !! Looking forward to the big day ever more as it approaches. Next blog will be a review of the marathon itself ! Thanks to everyone for your support one last time.
Mark (24/9/08)
Wow - never thought a few months ago that I could complete a marathon, and certainly not in 4 hours and 8 minutes but that was the time I acheived on Sunday. The whole day was a fantastic experience, though the last few miles were extremely hard ! Thank you to everyone at Macmillan, both runners and supporters, but most of all to Jo for her support throughout the weekend. My final update will be to confirm the final fund raising total in a few weeks time.
Mark (1/10/08)
