In memory of Pauline Baker and Con Williams

During the last 20 years two members of my extended family have succumbed to Motor Neurone Disease (MND). MND is a progressive, degenerative and fatal disease whose sufferers find it increasingly difficult to move, talk, swallow and breathe. There is currently no treatment, no cure, no prevention, and very little known about the causes of it.

After completing the 2006 Great Eastern Run half marathon in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, I've decided to tackle the Great North Run.  However, as I can run a half marathon in relative comfort I thought I needed to make the run more challenging, something mad enough to be worthy of your financial support.  Therefore I'm running in fancy dress.

To increase my profile I wanted to find a costume that was iconic and unique, which given my age (I was 9 years old in 1977) and the fact I'm a little bit geeky , left me with only one option, a star wars Stormtrooper.  Yes I'll be running, or trying to run, in an replica costume made of rigid plastic.  I've no idea if it is even possible to run in one of these suits but I'll give it a go.

My total was set at a modest £300 but thanks to the wonderful generosity of friends and strangers I've increased the target, yet again, to £750 [edit: I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of people].  However, the MND Association needs as much funding as it can get if it is to help those afflicted by this terrible disease and help find a cure or effective treatment. If I'm lucky enough to reach my total I'll increase it again, so please keep sponsoring me.

Many thanks,

Mike

Update:

OK, preparation for the Great North Run was not great as I had a heavy cold in mid September that stopped me running which was followed by developing real bad shin splints the week before.  I thought I wouldn't be able to run but after resting for 6 days I turned up and completed the course in 2 hours 38 minutes.  Two days later I'm as stiff as a board and have many badly chafed spots, but it was a great experience despite the discomfort.  Apologies to those runners I bumped into but visibility became a problem after 7 miles as the helmet lenses fogged up.

Update 2: The Great Eastern Run

Well the GER was completed in 1hr 52mins, which was well down on last year, and well down on what I was aiming for.  Unfortunately, my race strategy was blown by running the first half much too quickly leaving me a long 6 mile struggle to finish.  Still, as much as I wanted to improve my PB this challenge was always about raising funds for the MND Association.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me, as without your generosity all the long, hard training would have been for nothing.