Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
Well the wait is nearly over... Ever since being subjected to cross country at school and watching the elite athletes on TV there has been a part of me that has always wanted to tick off the Flora London Marathon, and 2009 is that time.
My goal was never simply to complete this as a personal achievement, but also to help raise money for a worthy cause, and I am pleased to say that I have teamed up with a local charity, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre (HADC).
Over the last 35 years HADC has offered specialist tuition to help those with dyslexia, regardless of their ability to pay. Each dyslexic has a unique learning profile, personalised to suit their needs, and this costs money.
£1000 can help fund a year of specialist tuition for one person for one year, so please dig deep for this worthy cause as I'm sure you all know people with dyslexia and everyone (like Richard Branson and Steve Redgrave) need help to get round their dyslexia in order to succeed.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre 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.
I know times are hard at present, but please help others and put a smile on your face.
By raising funds for the Centre, you will help change someone's life!
So please sponsor me now!
This page will be updated with my training news so keep looking (and sponsoring me more!)
W/c 29/12/08 - 16 week training programme begins with runs on New Year's Eve & New Year's Day just to get me in the mood!
Each week includes a serious of various speed, hill and interval training sessions, and also a long slow run (LSR) over the weekend to help the endurance!
w/c 12/1/09 - Hit over 30 miles this week for the 1st time & 1st LSR with Grant on sat (12m) which will be standard every week from now on. How I rely on him & Bruce to get me through this! The serious week has started rain or shine, frozen or not we'll be out there. -5 is the coldest I've been out for a 10 miler so far so sponsor me for that if nothing else!
w/c19/01 - 100 miles for the month smashed during our 15 mile plod on Saturday morning. Never done 100 before & still 1 week to go! On to an 18 miler next week - never done that far either & a lovely interval session in store!
w/c 09/02 - Over the last 2 weeks I've broken new ground personally, running an 18 & a 20 miler. Both left me tired, but I'm pleased to say we are still on track. Yesterday (08/02) I travelled to London to a 'Meet the Experts' event & got some great tips to help my training, and the day itself.
w/c 16/02 - Another year older 
& still the training doesn't stop. Only 9 weeks to go on Sunday! Not been the best week training wise for me, but all relatvie as the miles are being chalked off, and the times I'm doing I'd have been delighted with a few months ago. Still another 20 miler to look forward to tomorrow. At least the weather sounds like its going to be warmer.
21/2 - The 2nd 20 miler with my trusty marathon buddy Grant completed & really pleased with how it went after the week. Even enough energy the next day to win the Skins golf match with Bruce & Rob!
w/c 02/03 - Into another month - next month will be race time! After a 10m PB last week (1st time sub 7 mins miles for that distance) this week is all about not looking at the watch when running and finishing with our 3rd 20 miler at 7.15 on Sat morning!
The 3rd 20 miler now complete & over half way through the long runs to go & 7 weeks today (08/03) it will all be over . A bit concerned about Grant & his many injuries this week but he got through the run & both really pleased with the run as well. Did a RR today with all the family - a 1st with Amy & Jane joining Sam & I!
w/c 16/03 - A strange old week last week, doing our longer run on the Tuesday rather than the weekend meant that the whole week was hit and miss but still cracked in the miles & did a cracking fartlek (that's a type of run you know!) in the sunshine on Sunday.
This week done some HW so far, an interval session tomorrow & then gear up for 20m number 4 at 7am on sat with Grant!! ONLY 5 WEEKS ON SUNDAY!
w/c 23/03 - Managed to survive another 20 miler on sat morning with Grant & was our quickest to date which must be a good sign. Fitting this week's runs in between Amy's 8th B'day, school X-country, Canada Braids over & Wembley on Sat - a busy time for all!
MY FLM MAGAZINE ARRIVED ON SAT WITH ALL MY RACE DETAILS AND RACE NUMBER - 38945 - IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!!!
w/c 30/03 - Getting down to the business end now with our last (and longest) long run before the day. Week starts badly with a tummy bug on Sun/Mon that put me out of action. Did a bit in the week as I needed to get some running back in the legs before the 22 miler on Sat lunchtime.
Woke up Sat morning with a sore left ankle which hurt at the start of the 22 (& boy was it hot) but managed to put it out my mind after 6 or so miles. Sore afterwards. Struggled with this & weather but got it done with Grant in just under 3 hours so can't complain.
w/c 06/04 - Ankle still sore so have had to take it easier this week but then Grant & I throw in our quickest 15 miler on Thurs night before the bank hols. Went for a RR on Friday morning down the canal 5.80m with Sam on his bike - a good bonding session & helped me going slower.
w/c 13/04 - Sam with me for 6 miles this time. Good stuff. 5k in the gym yesterday & 6/7 today (Wed) before feet up until 10m on Sat - last one of any length. This tapering is getting hard. 1st Marathon dream last night, going through 4 miles in 48 mins - more of a nightmare!
w/c 20/4-Just completed my last outdoor run before the big day - quite a strange feeling as it seemed like I hadn't run for ages. Off to the Expo tomorrow to get my number...tomorrow. It's really happening!
Weather forecast keeps changing for the day - I wish it would settle so I can decide on a strategy.
Grant & I went up the Expo on Wed to collect our numbers - it is really happening!! Went home through London & drove the last 6+ miles which really helped visualise the route & Grant's nemesis hill!
Last run completed now, just nerves building up & not helped by talk of changing the route due to demonstrations around Westminster!
26/04/2009: After a week looking at one weather report after another I was delighted at the prospect of a dry but 'perfect' running weather as the BBC inferred on Sat night - well it was dry, but rather warm let me tell you.
Grant & I met at the station just before 7 & were both v.nervous. we split up at Waterloo East to get different trains for our different start positions. After this I felt more calm as only had myself to worry about.
I made it to Greenwich park in good time, got ride of my kit, had a panic attack that I hadn't had my IBS pill or got my 'just in case gel' but lived with that, went for numerous pees & got to pen 4 with 20 mins to go. Very bizarre when the gun goes & the speaker says 'you're off' but you go nowhere, but it took just under 3 mins to get past the start line & we're off.
My race plan was to simply churn out the miles & that's what I did. Took on loads of liquid & saw many fall by the wayside during the course of the event but I kept going...Legs started to feel the pain after 18-20 miles (can't really remember it's all a blur) but kept on going all the way to the end.
Saluted the Queen on the way round Buckingham Palace & the sight of the finish was just amazing!
Thanks to all again & I'm sure I'll bore you all with full details when I next see you.
Roox
Thanks again for all those who have sponsored me so far, and come on and put your hands in your pocket those who are yet to do so but 'keep meaning to'.
