Thank you very much for logging in to this page, hopefully that means you are about to part with some of that hard earned cash of yours!!!
Well, having seen some friends (who shall remain nameless) complete the Stockholm Marathon and then share in a few after event drinks and banter (any rumours of a bet are completely coincidental!!) I decided that it was time for me to do my bit before the big 40 catches up with me. Being the lazy so and so I am, I decided on an event in London and running around a few parks seemed like a good idea at the time, however, the number of obstacles left in these parks now makes me think otherwise (have you seen all those nutshells left behind by squirrels, someone could easily trip on one of them). Anyway, I have now entered the Royal Parks Half Marathon taking place on Saturday 12th October around St James' Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens all starting and finishing at Hyde Park Corner.
I have chosen a charity to run for that really does mean a lot to me. Many of you will know that I lost my Mother a couple of years ago but will not have known that for the last 10 years of her life that she suffered with Epilepsy. Although Mum was able to control the symptoms fairly effectively through medication, it is not so easy for many sufferers and therefore in her memory I would like to do my bit to help those others affected by this condition.
Well there you have it, the reason why and who will benefit from your donation. So all that is left to say is a huge thank you for providing me with a few extra reasons to ensure that I complete the course. If you happen to be around London on the 12th October and fancied coming along  then please do and feel free to cheer me on, shout abuse, laugh at me or generally just poke fun then so be it (although I would ask no missiles or catapults as they do sting a bit and are notoriously inaccurate - think of the other runners!!) Of course there will be a few beers later that night!!.
Cheers
Si
PS. I have actually started training for this and as a result have finally given up the cigarettes (fourth week) now despite someone's request for me to be seen starting the race with a fag hanging out of the corner of my mouth!!

27/08/08

Training is occuring, that is all I can say really. Have managed to get up to 4.5 miles so a litle way to go but should get there. Still not smoking (in my ninth week now) so hopefully that old habit has been broken.

I am also vey surprised at this stage as no-one has yet picked me up on the mistake re the date, namely that the 12th October is actually a Sunday. Anyway, must get back to the training!

10/09/08

Well, only a couple of days to go and all I can say is thanks to you all!!! Fund raising target has been smashed so I really have no choice now. Training has not gone very well but hopefully I can limp round to justify your genorosity? Will update again on Monday once I have recovered, once again many thanks to everyone who has donated!

12/09/08

He's only gone and done it!!! Yes, despite my support team not seeing me the whole race (at which they are more upset than me, I knew how I was running so was almost glad they did not see me!!), I have actually completed it. Started off only 10 metres from the start line as some how I got put in the elite runners group so spent the whole race being overtaken (a very strange feeling!!) but soldiered on through and despite the temperature hitting at least 30 degrees (alright it was hot in the sun though!) managed to complete the run in around 2 hours and 8 minutes. The official time will be posted later so on the website http://www.royalparkshalf.com/race-results.html

my runners number was 589 (out of 12500).

Anyway, it has now been done so all that remains to be said is once again a huge thank you to everyone who has already donated and also to a few who PROMISED they would donate upon completetion. In addition, well done to Stephanie MacSweeney on completing the race and thanks must go to the support team on the day, Dave and Clodagh but especially Aislinn who had to put up with me on the Saturday night and Sunday morning and manged to calm my nerves, thanks and bring on the holiday in South Africa!!