London Marathon 2011

Update 18th April 2011. Well that's the race run. Dispite the fact that I picked up a cold a week before the race which I am sure the road sweepers of London did not thank me for, I did it in 3 hrs 58 mins and 47 sec. I am of course very pleased with the time as it brought me in under the magical 4 hr mark. The sun on the day did not help but made it a wonderful day for the spectators. The last four mles were especially hard but with the support of the crowd I managed to drag my sorry arse over the line and beat last years time by more than 35 mins. Fund raising has been tough this year so if you haven't already supported me every penny would be much appreciated. Thanks for all your support again this year.

 

Update 28th March 2011. Just finished the 13th week of training with just three to go. I did my last long run of 25 miles yesterday morning which took me 3 hrs 29 mins. Now I can coast a little and only do 18 next Sunday. Things must be getting easier as I can now get in a freezing cold bath after a long run without screaming like a girl and when going out for a 15 or 18 miler, start by using the words "just a short". Even the chaffing is not too bad this year and the knees are holding up well. Down to 16st and feeling like the proverbial racing snake even though I don't look like one.

Jan 2011 - Well here we go again!!

Last year I ran the London Marathon for the first time in; 4hrs 33mins 12 secs and raised nearly £4,000 for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.  Before I ran it I was; overweight, had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, drank too much and ate too much.

Now I am almost 2 stone lighter, cholesterol and blood pressure are normal, I eat healthily but probarbly still drink too much!

Well 4 out of 5 is not bad!

The 4 months training through the winter and the early mornings were dark, cold, wet, painful and tiring but the race itself was worse. I swore I'd never do it again.

However for reasons I find hard to explain to those that have never run the London Marathon I have decided to do it again in 2011 which means I can attempt to raise even more money for this worthy cause and beat last years time. (I must be mad!). The following clip from last year goes someway to explaining it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4OxTMF1wYY&feature=player_embedded&dm_i=14C,99UM,1B7YAG,OI2F,1

My daughter Laurie had the dubious pleasure of spending the first three months of her life there in 1980 when she was born and is living proof of the wonderful work this Hospital does for sick children. Wendy and I will always be grateful to them for the care and love that was given to her all those years ago and so to raise money for them is a privilege although I'm not sure it will be at about 20 miles.

Great Ormond Street have to raise some 50 million pound for the improvements to the building and equipment for the Hospital and every penny we can raise helps to treat another sick child.

Times are difficult for most people at the moment and many of you helped me last year by being more than generous. It is therefore with some trepidation that I am asking you to help me again this year but I have to tell you that kids get sick every year so please dig deep and donate whatever you can.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

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So please dig deep and donate now.