I did it!!!!!!  Am overjoyed to report that I just squeaked in within my target time of 2h20.  Philippa and I were 2 mins ahead of schedule around most of the course but I flagged on the last few miles.  On the way did a PB of 1h04 for a 10km.  Crowds were great all the way and it was beautifully sunny and very cold.  We went for lunch afterwards where I felt really queasy and couldn't eat anything, but by the time I got home I felt much better and laid into a pile of tea and toast ... lush!  Now, after a long soak in Epsom salt bath I'm going to stretch and collapse into bed.  Thanks to Philippa for staying with me, to Tim and Bridget for being a fantastic support crew, and to you marvellous people for supporting me and Dorothy House.  I'm collecting a pot of over £100 in pledges next week so should have the final total within 2 weeks.

Helen (athlete) x

Just days to go and the sun's finally come out!  The forecast looks good for the race too - dry, sunny and fairly cold.  Apart from a minor cold 3 weeks ago I've been on track and following my program.  Easy this week, last short run on Thursday then resting and eating well.  I've briefly turned almost-veggie and almost-teetotal and am awash with water.  My kit's all ready, check out the Dorothy House dotty vest.  I put my name on it cos people have told me that the crowd will cheer me on and I need all the help I can get.  I've got a list of things to take (don't forget loo roll!) and a schedule of the ideal timing for each mile.  This could encourage me or discourage me if I'm lagging behind, not sure.  Tim and sister Bridget are my support crew, and I'm running with my mate Philippa whose daughters will be there too.  Then it's a big, fat lunch afterwards (if I'm not on a stretcher) and six months of training are all over.  You lot have done brilliantly on sponsorship and I hope to collect some more from the neighbours in Rode so it's sure to be an impressive total for lovely Dorothy House.  Thanks for all your support, and squeeze for me on Sunday (11am).

Helen xxx

It's the end of January already and only 6 weeks to go.  My training program said do a 10k race this week and so I did the nearest I could find, a 5 mile around industrial estates in Romsey.  Normally I'm training at low heart rates to improve my aerobic system but for this I let rip and sent my heart into the stratosphere (168-176bpm if you want to know).  The pay-off, apart from a beetroot face, was a faster time than I'd run before and the overtaking of 30, yes 30, other runners!  Well, I did start at the very back, but it was a nice, new experience.  Other training runs are going well, I did 10 miles last week, and it's good to see the back of the snow.  A big "thank you" to the latest sponsors, I appreciate it so much and it really encourages me.

Helen x

Happy New Year in the big freeze!  This pesky snow's hanging around but I can't get to the gym and training must go on, so off I went around the lanes for a couple of laps  As you can see, this run was in beautiful sunshine and, with hardly any cars in sight, it was delightful.  Apart from one stumble, I stayed on my feet and enjoyed the views.  This year started with a bang when Tim and I raced our tandem for 35km on Salisbury Plain on 3rd Jan.  Over 2 hours in crisp frost was good cross-training, I think.  Thank you very much to the recent donors, you are generous and lovely :)

Helen x

Happy Christmas everyone.  I did a record 2 hours on this cold run, surprisingly OK when you're all togged up.  Had to turn back earlier this week, though, when the path was covered by stretches of clear, glassy ice. Must admit, didn't run on Christmas Day itself (the first one I've missed) but am back on the programme now.  January is the hardest in terms of training before February tapers down towards the race so I've gritted my teeth and I'm very determined to stick to my training.  I'm hoping to see an increase in speed soon otherwise it'll take me all day!  Thanks so much for all the recent, extremely generous donations to Dorothy House.  You're champion!

Helen x

Well, it's December and I'm half way through my training programme.  I ran for 1.5 hrs last week which is my longest ever.  I've had LOTS of practice at running in the rain and all my wet weather gear is fully tested.  Highlights have included seeing a heron catch a fish in front of me, and the waft of bacon sandwiches from the canal boats!  Am feeling very relieved to have survived the Rode Top of the Pops party on 5" heels so I'm ready for the increases in speed/distance coming soon.  Now YOU, dear kind and warm-hearted reader, will make me v happy if you give a donation to lovely Dorothy House as their team be caring for hundreds of poorly people in their own homes this Christmas.  More run news soon.

Helen x

(October)  Hey, I'm so glad you're here :)   So why a half-marathon after me saying forever that I'd never do one?  Good question.

I started running (5 mins tops) when I was 40 and since then have built up to the odd 10k fun run.  All of a sudden, the Big 50 comes knocking and, despite all my training, I am the slowest runner in the world, always at the back with the OAPs.  I'm so disgusted with my lack of progress that I'm going to double the distance and run a half-marathon ... that'll teach me.  And I don't want to be right at the back either.  My mate, Philippa, is super-fit and can do it in 2 hours and she's agreed to run with me on the day, so I'm hoping for (gulp) under 2h20.  I'll be training at least 3 times per week in all weathers through the winter whilst you're snugly on the sofa, so please encourage me by making a donation, however small/large, to my fave charity.

Thanks, you're totally fab and generous and a nice person.

Helen  x

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