**UPDATE**

I've been totally overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity, and support that's been shown by everyone who's sponsored me this far. On writing this the marathon is 6 days away, and after months of getting up early, drinking no beer, eating too much pasta, and drinking the nation's supply of lucozade sport - I'm finally feeling sort of ready to run 26.2 miles on the 25th April.

I think my Pops would be past the point of hilarity and be at total bewilderment now that I've actually kept up the running, and that the whole thing wasn't just a flash in the pan. I also think he'd be dishing out the advice left right and centre so, in turn, I've been buying Runners World to make sure I'm full of tips and tricks of the trade.

And whenever 'the wall' gets closer, I remember: "Pain is Temporary, Victory lasts forever!"

Roll on Sunday!

Ellie xx

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Hello, 

I'm running the London marathon 2010 in memory of my Dad, David Buckland, who died suddenly on the 17th February 2009.

He loved running, having been a young UK champion, and a member of Haringey Harriers for many years. He ran the Enfield Mini Marathon every year for 10 years and the London Marathon in1998. He would constantly berate me for my lack of athletic interest, so this seems to be the perfect tribute, and I know that it would make him howl with laughter at my very inelegant and disorganised running style...

I am raising money for the British Heart Foundation which is funding ongoing research into 'Aortic Dissection', the rare condition that my Dad had. It is an undetectable, often genetic condition, and once the aorta has split it is fatal and sudden; many families have lost loved ones too soon.

Please give whatever you can to support this brilliant charity to continue their pioneering research into all aspects of heart health.

Being able to run the marathon in memory of my Dad is incredibly important to me, and I just want the opportunity to be able to do something that I know would make him laugh and also be proud. It is also an honour to support the BHF in working towards the possibility of a future when, hopefully, fewer families will be as devastated as we have been.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this,

Ellie xx