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My story

 

I  D I D  I T ! ! ! ! !

Sunday 5th April 2009 I ran the Paris Marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU - THANK YOU ALL for all your help and encouragement. THANK YOU to my wonderful support team - Mummy, Daddy, Celeste, Phillip, Hannah, Francesca, Vanessa, Christophe, David, Bonar, Florence and Thomas...

It was the most fantastic experience! So exciting standing in front of the Arc de Triomphe with thousands of others waiting to start and then running through the most beautiful city. Everyone was so NICE, weather was great, sunny but not too hot. (Also I didn't need the loo!) Only problem was a bottle neck at Place de la Bastille very early on where we had to stop running as it was so congested. But after that it was wonderful - even running through the tunnels when many runners were whistling and cheering.

I was still smiling when I saw my parents, the Slaters and F + T at about 30km. But when I saw D + B at 32 or 33km I was definitely feeling rather less cheery. There wasn't a moment when I felt I had hit the Wall, just a gradual increasing feeling that I was struggling. I decided it was OK to walk so I tried to stop and walk but my legs wouldn't let me do it !! I just had to keep running even though I was now running so slowly that some walkers were overtaking me!! At 35km I saw D + B again and yelled "Bar! Energy Bar" I ate that + it helped take my mind off the pain - I was telling myself only my mid-week run to go - I am passing Christelle's house now, the man with the toy aeroplane in his garden etc. I was hurting all over but I kept going (I also remembered to think of T's imaginary hand pushing me forward) and when I saw 42km I managed to sprint the last few metres! At that point I spotted V + C who were shouting "Allez Penny!". The feeling as I crossed the finish line was indescribable... According to my stop watch I took 4 hours 57 minutes 48 seconds.

It was really really really hard.... but I DID IT!!!!!! We all went out to dinner to celebrate and the next day I made it up the Eiffel Tower with the kids (by lift). I am now considering my next marathon when I turn 50!!...

If you haven't yet sponsored me but would like to it's still not to late... Just click on "sponsor me now"

Action Against Hunger is a fantastic charity and provides safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger to over 5 million people a year. Helping innocent children and civilians all over the world, AAH work in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster and chronic food shortage such as D.R.Congo, Darfur, Chechnya, Burma...

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Action Against Hunger UK 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.

Thanks a million, Penny

sooorrrry we're late but thought we'd give you time to recover from your tremendous effort !!!!! well done you xxxx Donation by Pat & Malcolm 17/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Biggest Congratulations xxx Donation by Piers 14/04/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Well done Penny!! Much love Jane,Peter and Charlotte xxx Donation by Jane Martin 10/04/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hope you did not RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! Donation by Olaf 07/04/09  

£120.00

Relax & do your best Donation by Angie & Bobby Chiang 02/04/09  

£50.00

Good for you ! Good luck ! Donation by Trish and Francis 31/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Will be there to support you Donation by Theresa & Mun Sou Chooi 30/03/09  

£200.00

Best of luck for a great run, love from the Aussies downunder Donation by Auntie May Ian & Cordelia Khoo 29/03/09  

£50.00

sending you lots of love and luck Donation by Aletta & Joe 25/03/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Donation by Vanessa & Christophe Dazet 24/03/09  

£21.78

You must be mad! Such an impressive effort. Wish we were in Paris to give you some support on the way. Good luck! Donation by david & solveig 20/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Aah, Paris in the Spring ! Have fun. We have no doubts you will do it fine - as with everything else you set out to do ! Donation by Sam & Rachel 17/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck Donation by Alan & Juliet Strong 14/03/09  

£52.00 + £14.67 Gift Aid

keep up the good work and good luck on the day and who knows maybe one day I might even be able to join you on 1 lap around the lake. Donation by Sarah & Simon Griffiths 10/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Cor! Keep going! Donation by Phillip and Celeste Slater 10/03/09  

£50.00

Very inspiring!! Best of luck xxx Donation by Jim and Mel Abbiss 10/03/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Keep on running Penny...... Donation by Henry and Lucy Goulding 09/03/09  

£20.00

well done, you are amazing xx Donation by Pip and Neil McLaughlan 09/03/09  

£30.00

I felt exhausted just reading about your latest run! Good Luck and move over Paula Radcliffe! Donation by Annie Rusling 09/03/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go for it Penny - all the very best. Hope its fun as well as a tremendous achievement! We'll be routing for you. xxx Donation by Judy John and William Knox 08/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck Penny... no doubt Dave will be running alongside for moral support! Ha ha! I doff my cap to you, you are an inspiration! X Donation by Chris Sheehan 06/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We want our money back if we don't get top tips for hols - you have been warned! Donation by John and Marta 24/02/09  

£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid

We have every confidence in you - hope it's a memorable day! Donation by Andrew, Louise, Oscar and Archie Raisbeck 19/02/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

bonne chance! Donation by gabriel, madeleine-rose louise patrick 18/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Penny, you can do it! Donation by Martin & Sandie 17/02/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

They say you "hit the wall" around 20 miles maybe with your skill you could just "redesign it"! good luck Donation by Martin & Cathy 16/02/09  

£52.00 + £14.67 Gift Aid

Keep on running! Good luck & love your feet! Donation by Billy and Gordon 11/02/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good work! Donation by Tim and Gaylene 09/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck Donation by beng kian 09/02/09  

£100.00

We open our window at 8.00 and see you just finish your run we think you're worth every penny Penny Donation by Elizabeth and Ken 08/02/09  

£20.00
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