An update:

After four months of hard training, I finally ran the marathon yesterday. It was a glorious day down in Bourmemouth, with clear blue skies and temperatures of 19/20 degrees. It was perfect weather for spectators but not quite so good for the 3001 runners taking part in the marathon!

The race was going well for me until about mile 20, when the heat really started to affect my pace. I managed to keep going though (just about!) and finished the marathon in 3 hours 54 minutes. 

I am now in a lot of pain, but it was all worth it when I see how generously people have donated to Broomwood in Ethiopia, and what a difference that money will make in the lives of the children in Azezo.

Thank you so much to everyone for their support and encouragement, and a huge thank you particularly to my husband, family and friends who came to Bournemouth to cheer me on!

I am now planning on not running ever again (although we will see how long that lasts!).

 

 

Four years ago I would have considered running continuously for more than 5 minutes a real achievement and the thought of entering a marathon would have been both terrifying and ridiculous!

My running has improved a lot in the last four years (thank goodness!) and, on October 6th (this Sunday!), I will be running the Bournemouth marathon to raise money for Broomwood in Ethiopia. I've been training hard and have run about 700 miles in the last 4 months, with just 26.2 more to go!

The school where I work (Broomwood Hall) are opening a primary school in a small, rural town called Azezo in North West Ethiopia. The school (St George's) will offer a free, high quality education to children from the poorest families in the region who would never otherwise be able to attend school. Any money raised will go towards providing children with qualified teachers, facilities, equipment, uniform and 2 nutritious meals a day at the school.

There are many worthwhile charities out there but I have chosen to run for Broomwood in Ethiopia because, as a teacher, I know how much of a difference St George's will make in the lives of its pupils. It is a charity that I am really proud to represent and that will definitely help me to run 26.2 probably quite painful miles!

Many thanks for your support and for taking the time to read this page. Any donation - large or small - will be gratefully received.