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Paul's marathon malarkey
Page creator: Paul Bowen
Event: Flora London Marathon 2008
Event Date: 13th Apr 2008
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Get me out of here!
About my charity : Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation is the UK's leading charity working in mental health and learning disabilities. With pioneering research and community projects it aims to improve the support available for people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities.
Charity Registration No 801130
Fundraising target:  £3,500.00
My donations to date:  £ 5,236.65
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My personal message:

What a day!  Amazing crowds, extraordinary weather, highs and lows, pain and suffering, tears and laughter - and all before lunch.   The first 15 miles or so were great, I thought I could run all day, but after seeing my family (Mimi, Lily, Ned, my sister Claire and her husband Al, superstars) just after mile 15 I entered the dreaded London Docklands stretch, and it all went figuratively downhill (though it felt like it was all uphill).  Still, I had pegged this year as my best chance of beating 4 hours and as the miles went by - increasingly slowly - the margins got smaller and smaller as 8 minute miles turned to 9 to 10 to 11 minute miles.  Coming into the final 1 mile 385 yards (whoever added that 385 yards was a complete sadist) I had 14 minutes left to beat the 4 hours.   As I staggered down Embankment I caught sight of my family for the third time and it was just what I needed, and with the rest of the crowd cheering us on I dragged my weary bones over the longest mile I can remember - and finished under the magic 4 hours (just). 

Official time, 3 hours 57 minutes, 43 seconds, and I can vouch for every second!

Not bad for a fat old man - 10 years since I last ran the London Marathon and a good stone and half heavier, I beat my younger self by 8 minutes.  And this time I wasn't involved in a sprint finish with a man dressed as a clown (who beat me by a large red nose).  I did see the marathon Masai warriors, the basketball bouncing guy, two Banana men, a Batman, a Superwoman, sundry faeries, devils and someone dressed as a McCain Oven Chip (no-one was cheering them).  I also remembered to put my name on my shirt this time so lots of cheers for 'Paul' rather than 'Mental'.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored me and sent texts, e-mails and other messages of support.  Its not too late to sponsor me if you would like - the £5,000 mark is getting tantalising close.

The Mental Health Foundation works for some of the most vulnerable and stigmatised members of society.  But the chances are that you, or someone you know, will have experienced serious mental distress at some stage in life:

- 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year

- 10% of children will have a mental health problem at any one time

- Depression affects 20% of elderly people in the community and 40% in care homes

- 90% of prisoners suffer from at least one form of mental disorder

My own interest in this area is as much professional as personal - I've just published a book on the new Mental Health Act 2007 - but you don't have to got that far: just sponsor me!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Mental Health Foundation will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your support.

My online fundraisers to date: Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest
Display Name Date Amount Tax Bonus  Comment
Meryll 07/05/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Congratulations - well done 
Dods & Sianie 27/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Great work, fella. You put us all to shame.  
emma smallwood 16/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Congratulations - very, very impressive!! 
Mimi 16/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 You are brilliant. But then, I always knew that. Love ever, your Mim x 
KrisGledhill 15/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 You're too fit for your own good! 
Wilf M-B 14/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Awesome achievement: I salute you! 
Bizza 14/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 That's a great time. Well done.  
F Murphy 14/04/2008 £34.25 £9.66 25 pence per second under 4 hrs - you earned it! Well done.  
Francis FitzGibbon 14/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 well done Paul 
Bramil Associates 14/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Better late than never. Congratulations - hope you are recovering well! 
Pauline Thompson 14/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 sorry I left this until after you ran- hope you are resting your feet today ! Dead impressed with whatever time and distance you ran  
Adam and Steph 13/04/2008 £20.00 n/a  
Kathryn Pugh 13/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 I am so impressed! And for such a great cause - hope it goes well  
Tonia & Mick 13/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Glad to see you're already beating your target - maybe you need another one?? Good luck, if you need to recover in fresh Swiss air... 
Mary P 13/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 What a feet (errr, feat, I mean) Pound those pavements, go! go! go! 
john 12/04/2008 £40.00 £11.28 Enjoy, lead from the front 
Jill and David Wright 12/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Just do it! 
Bharati and Richard Charlton 12/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Serious training has surely put in in a good ;position to survive all the way! 
John Horne 11/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Best of luck! 
David W 11/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck! 
Angus McCullough 11/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Best of luck ... 
Steve Kn 11/04/2008 £60.00 £16.92 good luck 
John Ford 11/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Hope you get £5000! 
SnOz 11/04/2008 £75.00 £21.15 Go on... Mental! We love you so xx 
Camilla M 11/04/2008 £260.00 £73.33 rather you than me - good luck - dont try and do it in heels 
Tim Owen 11/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 am hugely impressed. Good luck ! 
JEM & MISCHA 11/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 We are right behind you (but sitting down) XXX 
Anthony H 11/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Best of luck 
Paddy 10/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 best of luck - and watch that chafing! xx 
Suki Binjal 10/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 ...see you're still as mad as ever! Good luck S.x 
Lisa of Mangan 10/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Can I still shout 'c'mmon mental'? x x 
Alan and Polly 10/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Go for it - good luck ! 
Sam and Rich 09/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Oh yes we make the £3,500 !! Good luck Paul, see you next week if you're still walking ! 
Louis, Anais & Clara 09/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 We only see a great Dad-No midlife crisis in sight! 
Thierry, Lou & Charlie G 09/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Nous sommes tous derriere toi! Bon courage, Bises 
Lucy Duczmal 09/04/2008 £30.00 £8.46 Good luck xxx 
rob w 09/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 i agree, it would be nice to match - or beat - your previous total 
Nicky Williams 09/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck Paul - will be watching - having breakfast in bed! 
Laura Forsyth 09/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Good luck! 
rikki garg 09/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck with the marathon. look forward to seeing you after the event! 
Kiran Bhogal 09/04/2008 £30.00 £8.46 Good luck Paul though sure you don't need it  
Kate O'Kelly 08/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Go Paul, we will be thinking of you. 
David Rhodes 08/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck 
D H Bowen 08/04/2008 £20.00 n/a From Peter and Rosemary Heaf Good Luck 
hattie ellis 08/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 have a good breakfast! 
Richard H 08/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Go for it! 
Nick Bowen 08/04/2008 £40.00 £11.28 I'm full of admiration - enjoy the pain :-) 
Phillippa Kaufmann 08/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Best of luck. x  
Tim M 08/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Good luck. I look forward to you winning this one. 
Kate Whyman 08/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Enjoy it, if that's possible! 
Chris W 08/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 I accidently entered the Edinburgh one at the end of May. You gotta be bonkers! I'm already sick of it...can you go sponsor me too? big luck, cu soon 
graeme r 08/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 hope your recovery time improves 
Indi, Betty, Huck, Hick, Jem & Terry 07/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Jem wants to know if you'll be running in one of those Rhino suits. Not sure why she wants to know.. 
Jen 07/04/2008 £25.00 n/a Definitely expecting you to beat your time from 10 years ago! Run Paul Run! xo 
Mitchell 07/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Don't carry a torch 
npleming 07/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Keep up the good work. It's needed! 
Kate Whyman 07/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Enjoy it, if that's possible. 
Michael Konstam 07/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck Paul, hope you win. 
Scott Lewallen 07/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 next time this happens, just lie down until the feeling passes, gdlk! 
Marcus, Penny & Ott 07/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Ihate running.  
Jenny Talbot 07/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Keep up the good work! 
Vicki Prais 07/04/2008 £15.00 £4.23 Good Luck, Paul!  
isabel 07/04/2008 £10.00 £2.82  
Will Taylor 07/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 good luck Paul! 
Steve Broach 07/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Best of luck Paul 
Simon Foster 07/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Great cause- hope you enjoy it too. Good luck! 
Simon (formerly known as Slinx) 07/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 I truly admire all marathon runners 
Laura Pinkney 07/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Enjoy a well earned beer after the race! Lots of luck  
Robert R 07/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Good luck! 
Chris Sylge 07/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Take jelly babies... Bonne chance mon vieux! 
Luke Clements 06/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Best of luck Paul 
Harriet Wistrich 06/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Really happy to support anyone mental enough to run the marathon! Good luck 
Marisa Cawthorne 06/04/2008 £10.00 n/a Good luck! 
Pughe 06/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck from the Pughes 
Penny 06/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Good luck 
Sophy Miles 05/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64  
Steve "3:33" Mangan 05/04/2008 £100.01 £28.21 good luck big man 
Jeremy and Sue 05/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Good luck and have fun 
D H Bowen 05/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Good Luck Pa 
Bill J 05/04/2008 £26.00 £7.33 Best wishes 
Hugh S 04/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck and enjoy 
Grace 04/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 we're all cheering you on! 
Lindsay G. 04/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 No risk of copying the 1st Marathon runner, obviously - good luck. 
Joe 04/04/2008 £15.00 £4.23 Best of luck Paul. 
Conrad 04/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Try not to do any extra laps on this latest extravaganza. Wishing you a speedy time. Peace & love, Conrad 
Carolyn K 04/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Just go round once this time! 
Gareth Griffiths 04/04/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good Luck, maybe lay off the curries for a while? 
Penny & Dirk 03/04/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Have a great run! x 
Eleanor G 03/04/2008 £35.00 £9.87 £50 if sub-4; good luck. 
Camilla 03/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good Luck!! 
Sharon & Steve Vokins 07/02/2008 £50.00 £14.10 A marathon - Is this a mid life crisis? You'll be buying a Porsche next! Good luck Sharon & Steve 
Heather 23/01/2008 £50.00 £14.10  
Anna and John 22/01/2008 £26.39 £7.44 Phew! Glad the most energetic thing we have to do is put our hand in our pocket! 
Juliet 19/01/2008 £200.00 n/a Go for it my son. Much love Mutts 
Christopher Hough 14/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck. 
Jill Evans 16/01/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Full of admiration whatever your time! 
Henrietta Hill 14/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Well done my dear - a good New Year's resolution! 
John Jones, DSC 14/01/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck and don't forget to pace yourself 
Clive Bowen 13/01/2008 £100.00 £28.21 Go for it Bro; as usual I'll be the armchair enthusiast watching from afar... (almost certainly some 
Al Denholm 13/01/2008 £100.00 n/a I was proud to share 40 in Brighton. I'll be proud to cheer 26.2 in London. Al 
  Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest
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*Total donated online: £4,811.65
Amount raised offline: £425.00
Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,251.36
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