***10/10/08 UPDATE***

I did the run! I managed for the first time ever to run all the way (i.e. no walking!) and finished with a personal best time of 2 hours and 32 minutes (wiping alost quarter of an hour of my previous times!). I loved every painful minute of it!!

So I hope I've given you all your money's worth! I really do appreciate all the money you've sponsored me and it's great to see you're still adding to it. I'm over the moon to have raised so much but couldn't have done it without you all!

Thanks again

Rebecca

ps Thanks to Grainne for coming over to do her first half marathon with me (well ok, ahead of me most of the way!) in an amazing time of 2 hours and 29 minutes!

***17/09/08 UPDATE***

I have survived the swim! It took me 48 minutes (including half way inhaler stop!). It was colder than you can imagine and swimming in the wetsuit was like swimming in treacle. I was also mostly unable to swim with my head under which was very uncomfortable.

So I just wanted to say thank you for sponsoring me. It did keep me going (along with the thought of the pint of guinness at the end!)

And thank you to Sarah (who managed it in a speedy 43 minutes) for not telling me how awful it was before I got in the water!

Looking forward to the crawl part now!

Thanks again!

Rebecca

ps Photos to follow when i work it out!

***Original Message***

Hi All

I am shortly to take part in both the GREAT NORTH SWIM and the GREAT NORTH RUN. To assist in my great pleasure in completing (hopefully) these events I would be very grateful if you would be willing to sponsor me on behalf of St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, which provides care, help and support for terminally ill patients and their families.

Details of the challenge:

1. The Great North Swim - 1 very cold mile in Lake Windermere on 13th September 2008.

2. The Great North run - 13.1 knackering miles from Newcastle to South Shields on 5th October 2008.

Obviously donations are only requested if I manage to complete BOTH events! Suitably embarassing photos of me taking part in the events will follow!

Thank you,

Rebecca

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