Update: 3:34:43
After plenty physio and lots of padding around my injuries, I made it to the start line on Sunday ready to give it everything I could but not knowing how long I’d last. Would the injuries kick back in and the lack of miles done make a difference? I started just under 3:30 pace and things felt ok. After an hour I was still on target but with 2.5 hours left to go it still felt like a long way. Miles 11-15 were good and the best bit of the race, I got a good rhythm, the crowds were shouting my name, I knew the injuries would hold out and I was under target pace– even the cloudburst didn’t dampen things. But it was at 16/17 that the calves and quads began to get a bit heavy and I was beginning to slow. After 20 I had to stop a few times to stretch out and get some pace back. By 23, I knew I wouldn’t stop again (although that was all I wanted to do) but had to pace myself on others and run along side the very enthusiastic crowd to keep me going. A final push at 25.5 and more at 26 saw me cross the line sub 3:35. Outside my target but I was still pretty pleased! I knew I had left it all out there.

A huge thanks to all those who have sponsored me, and for those that haven’t there is still time! I took some pain on Sunday, please translate that into a gain for others.

thanks
mh

"There were nights when we didn't think you would see the dawn.
If you can run a marathon, that would be amazing and we would love to sponsor you for Asthma UK."

This was the reaction from my father when I told him I was planning to run the London Marathon.

I have had asthma since I was a kid; plenty nights when I couldn't breathe, wheezing through PE lessons and always having to carry my medication around with me.
I always used it as an excuse to not get fit or be any good at sport but it doesn't have to be like that.
A few years back I started rowing and then (at my rowing coach's advice!) moved onto cycling and then triathlon. I'm now planning to run the marathon.
I still have asthma and I'm still taking the 'performance enhancing drugs' but it’s no longer an excuse - I'm fitter than I have ever been in my life.

I want to help make sure that asthma does not needlessly control the lives of those 5.2 million people in the UK that have it and to help them to get as fit and active as possible.

Both the current marathon world record holders, Haile Gebrselassie and Paula Radcliffe have asthma and take their inhalers everyday so it needn't be a barrier to anything!

That's why I'm asking you to sponsor me to run in this year's London Marathon on 13th April to raise money for Asthma UK.

Asthma kills four people a day in the UK , so please dig deep, be generous and help avoid other parents wondering if their kids will make it through the night.

Thanks,

mh