Why do I run?

My first London Marathon was in 1997 the year that my father died of Cancer. We used to talk about me running the London Marathon when I was a child and he always laughed at me and said I would never be able to do it, (perhaps because I was more interested in boys then than running)! Our world fell apart when my Father was diagnosed with Cancer in 1996 and the doctor had  given him just nine months to live. This sad news encouraged me to try to do something to help in the only way I could. I started training for the Flora London Marathon whilst working at Unilever who were the main sponsors at the time. Much of my training was spent during my visits to Bournemouth where my Father lived.  He would watch me in his wheelchair whilst I trained and run past him up and down the promenade. That year I did manage to complete the London Marathon in 4 hours 22 minutes (see my photo above) and proudly presented my medal to my father after the race whilst he was in his hospital bed. It was the first time he smiled that day or for that matter that week. Unfortunately, he  sadly died two weeks later. He meant the world to me and I still think of him when I am out running – it keeps me going.

What for?

Ever since that time when I saw my Father suffer for those final months it has given me the strength to continue my running as well as to raise money for several Cancer charities at the same time. It’s difficult to decide which charity to run for as there are so many. This year, however, I have decided to run for The Children’s Society as I have a long association with The Children’s Society and have many personal reasons to thank them for their support they have given me in my earlier years. For this reason, I will be raising money for them which will go some way to return the help that they have given me in my life, even up until very recently. The charities motto is “A Better Childhood for Every Child” which is what they gave me and made me the person I am today.

My target this year in running speak...

Not only is it Olympic Year, but this year will be my seventh London Marathon. Seven being my lucky number and the day that I was born I am hoping this year will be the last time I put myself through this punishing training schedule and finally retire from long distance running with, hopefully, a Personal Best time. I know those that know me will say yes she has said that before. Well if I get a PB this year then I will finally hang up my trainers and sit back and relax and watch my geeky friends training for their next batch of pain! I am also trying to qualify for a “good for age” category too which is sub 4 hours marathon (at my age that's quite a challenge). I will predict my time to be around 3.50 – 3.55 if the weather isn’t too hot which would give me “good for age”! (for non runners, this is running speak and a big milestone, so stop yawning!) I have been running around 40 miles per week for the past 6 months so I am ready and raring to go. I am now at the stage where I am looking forward to tapering in the last 3 weeks leading up to London on 22 April 2012.

And thank you....

I would also like to thank everybody who has listened to my tails of wo and especially to my running friends at Sutton Runners who have supported me for the past 5 years and contributed substantially into making me a “running geek”, I wouldn’t be here without you and I wouldn’t be quite so Geeky either, so thanks so much! In particular, I would also like to thank my fellow running partner Anita Hedges who has supported me during my training this year and pushed me to the limit up those hills at Beeches Walk and across the Surrey countryside on a cold Sunday winters morning. Some days we ran until we were finished with exhaustion. She has been a tremendous support to me and I couldn’t have done it without her help. Good luck Anita at the Brighton Marathon. One last person to thank is of course, my husband Roger who patiently listens to my running stories, running times, aches and pains as well as keeping the house under control by doing the washing, ironing, shopping, gardening and sometimes even attempts to cook (that’s not so good) whilst I am out doing the miles! I knew there was a good reason for getting married!

and finally show me the MONEY!!

I hope you feel inspired to sponsor me one last time and one last marathon and I thank you for taking the time to read my page. Please don’t feel obligated but any amount would be greatly appreciated.

Penny