UPDATE! 

Did it! 2 hours 20 mins. But I only just made it, thanks to a combination of a bad cold all week (would I be able to run?) plus sleeping in on race day: I thought I'd set my alarm for 0445 but, erm, hadn't, and woke up at 0615. Race was due to start at 0700!  This led to a frantic race across DC to get to the start line (thanks MarkyMark) which I did by 0715, just in time to join the stragglers in crossing the start line. 

After that, it was an amazing experience, thanks to a great atmosphere on the course, plus a picture perfect day. I felt quite emotional out there running past some great sites (Capitol Hill, Washington Monument, White House), all bathed in early morning sunshine. I glided along until about Mile 11, when it started to hurt! But I made it, to be cheered on past the finish by Mark, Natasha, Abby and Joe. 

I can't thank everyone enough for their kind donations and words of support (I've raised well over GBP 500, through donations on both the UK and US sites). Running in memory of Karen made me think of others we've lost through cancer, and therefore very glad to be doing a small bit towards better treatment and answers for those who need it. 

Next stop - maybe a marathon, when I can move again....

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. At the ripe old age of 42, I will run my first half-marathon in Washington DC on 20 March. I need all the help and support I can get! And I wanted to raise some money for a good cause at the same time. 

I was debating which charity to support (Haiti? Chile? Action Aid?) when I heard last week that a friend and colleague from the Foreign Office, Karen Stokes, had died after a long battle with cancer. She was the same age as me, and a wonderful, brave, funny individual. This answered my question, particularly as her family have asked for donations to Cancer Research in lieu of flowers. 

So please sponsor me on 20 March, for Karen, and for all those people who are still battling with this terrible disease. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now. Thank you! And wish me luck on 20 March - I'll let you know how it goes......