***STOP PRESS!!****

Sunday 26th April, 6pm - I did it! Finished the London Marathon in 4:26:52 and loved every mile of it. Such an amazing atmosphere, I know everyone says it but the crowds really pull you along. It was fantastic to see the Havens crowds and my family. Feeling stiff now but just glad I got round in one piece! Just watching the highlights now, see if I can spot myself! Thank you again for all your donations and support, it really helped get me round x x

Saturday 25th April - Just to let you all know I am number 50490 (I asked for a lucky one). Thank you all so much for your support, messages and donations over the last couple of days, it's been overwhelming. Will let you know how I get on x

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

After watching and supporting my husband Mike complete two London Marathons, I have finally succumbed and agreed to take part myself. After all if he can do it, how hard can it be...?!

Since my training started in October I have run over 550 miles, been chased by a Doberman in Basildon, soaked by waves at Southend Seafront and lost a couple of toenails. But I have also seen the sun rise over Old Leigh, set over the Estuary and met some lovely people.

Through my role at Havens Hospices, I know what a difference people's donations can make to the care provided at Fair Havens and Little Havens. However, my grandparents also benefited from hospice care last year. Unfortunatley they died within weeks of each other so I will be running the London Marathon in memory of them both.

If you can, please consider making a small contribution. Knowing there is support out there will make the 14 mile Sunday runs a lot easier!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Havens Hospices gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you x

Training Blog

24th Apr - Cannot believe it is nearly here. Have picked up my number - 50490 (I think!), got the chip and safety pins so all ready to go. Training is virtually non-existent now and just filling my face with food - perfect! Have been overwhelmed by the support from people, especially work today. Came into the office to see my face plastered over the walls with good luck messages! They have also been playing Chariots of Fire to get me going! Highly embarrased but very touched. This support, and all the kind donations and messages on this page will certainly keep me going. Thank you x x

19th Apr - One week to go! Have had a real mixture of excitement and fear this week. Have wound down the training, did nine miles along the seafront yesterday which felt good and this week it's just going to be a few small sessions! The vest is in the printers, fridge fully loaded with Lucozade Sport and lots of carbs in the cupboard...Picking up my number and bits on Thursday which will be surreal. Until then, got to keep fit and healthy and stay away from germy people.

4th Apr - Not much to update really, just been running lots! Did 17 miles today through Southend, and from now on I start to taper down which I think is going to feel weird. Have recieved my regsitration pack which is very exciting - makes it all real! Only three weeks to go.....

28th Mar - Just finished Havens 20 mile training run. Really proud of Mel and I, we finished in 3:07. Had a couple of dodgy moments - the pain in my ankle at 17 miles was agony and Mel and I both threw a strop at Belton Way, if you can do such a thing. Was greeted by tea and hot soup at the finish which was all I could focus on going down Scrub Lane. Now soaking my feet in ice cold water which is almost as painful as the run itself.

27th Mar - This week's training has gone really well and feeling strong. Slight ankle niggle after netball but that's all my own fault for flying around trying to keep up with teenagers on the court. Last night was the Charity Indian Meal at the Tandoori Parlour in Benfleet. My family, friends and work colleagues attended and together we raised around £400 (a big bag of coppers is still being counted!) So thank you to everyone who came and/or bought a raffle ticket. Tomorrow have 20 mile Havens training run so can work off that korma.

21st Mar - Did 18 miles yesterday with Mel. Lovely warm sunshine but ran out of water near the end where there were loads of hills. We managed to complete it though in good time. Unfortunately we both had to go to work afterwards!

15th Mar - A normal week of training, finishing with the Brentwood Half Marathon today. Great race, lovely scenery and so hot! Left hubby behind to complete the route in 1hr 54mins, doing a steady 9min pace until the end when I legged it! I have never sprinted so fast in my life. Know this week is going to be tough, got 18 miler on Friday with Mel.

7th Mar - I just ache everywhere. Have crammed in the miles this week culminating in 15 miles today at 8.30 pace around Southend, Leigh and Hadleigh, finishing in 2 hours 8 minutes. I was so happy to see the gates of Little Havens! Thought it was supposed to get easier but it seems as soon as March hit, I have constantly been hobbling or making involuntary groans as I get up from a chair. But  I am still enjoying it, despite ranting the above :)

2nd Mar - Last week's training went well, following a new programme which isn't going to stress me out too much. Ran with Neil yesterday around Rayleigh, Rochford etc. I started to feel the burn after eight miles which was unusual for me - until Neil told me I was running at 8.17 mile pace! I had set the bar quite high early on in the run. Finished 13.2 miles in 1 hour 49 minutes which I am well chuffed with. Got a couple of niggles but should be OK. 8.30pm - Saw the Havens physio Paul after work who said I have Achillies tendonitis (sp). After a very "deep" sports massage, it feels miles better already. Have little "stilts" for my trainers and need to do some fancy stretches.

23rd Feb - Recovering after yesterday's Havens training run. There was an 18 mile route on the table, but decided to be sensible and take the 16 mile option with Mel. It went really well, in that I actually completed it without stopping. It's lovely setting off and seeing all these bright yellow Havens vests bobbing along Daws Heath. Slept for two hours when I got in. My toenail is still hanging on for dear life.

20th Feb - Been getting back in the swing of things this week, but def slower than before. It's been such lovely weather and a pleasure to run along the seafront. However, one of my toenails is hanging by a thread, so any day now I am expecting it to drop. Makes me feel a bit queasy thinking about it.

16th Feb - I've been ill! Had a sickness bug since last Wednesday so haven't run for a week, as advised by the doctor. This has been very hard buy trying to be sensible. Not helped by husband who went out yesterday and proclaimed that it was such a lovely day! Going out tonight with Mel and will try to build up strength in preparation for Sunday's Havens training run. For those who are interested. The blister burst of its own accord. Nice....

10th Feb - Been reading an article in Grazia on Paul Radcliffe's tips for running. She says take iron supplements for dark eye circles, wear plenty of lip balm and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream on your hands (v expensive though). I have now taken to slathering myself in Vaseline Rose and Almond Oil "Rosy Lips" before I go out and popping vitamins every morning. My mantra will now be, "If it's good enough for Paula." Well except for the weeing in the road bit. My Mum wouldn't be happy - I was brought up to be a lady... 

8th Feb - It's always the way, you set out for a nice gentle stroll and end up doing almost a half marathon. Which would be OK but literally only had with a dribble of water and five jelly babies - like a Ray Mears survival bag. Ran from Hadleigh to the Kursaal and back, adding in a few hills around Leigh. But something is telling me to get new trainers, like the huge blister on the side of my toe. It's huge! Now the question is: to pop or not to pop? Answers on a postcard please.... 

4th Feb - So running on the snow didn't exactly work. Seemed to have pulled something in the bottom of my legs somewhere (should have paid more attention at school.) Tried a gentle run and they really hurt! I think it's my body's way of telling me to slow down so am taking it easy this week and hopefully normall service will resume to coincide when the ice melts.

3rd Feb - After having a "Snow Day" yesterday, am feeling already that I need to go out. After finishing work, hubby and I attempt to go around Gloucester Park. Apparantley you are supposed to run on the grass if it's frosty. Trouble is, you don't know what's underneath the snow. Running on tippy-toes isn't the best training method and right towards the end I put my foot in a huge, freezing puddle. We decide to go home and order fish and chips, but not before legging it across the untouched 3 inch snow football pitches. In hindsight, it probably looked like I was beingchased by a six foot bloke in luminous lycra.

1st Feb - Had a good week of training runs. Did nine miles with Mel on Monday, then a couple of good 10K's along the seafront after work. Today I completed my long run with Neil from the Havens session. He has a fancy watch-thing which records how long and far you are going. We ran around Rayleigh, Rochford, Hawkwell and Hockley. Clocked up 14 miles in 2hr 03mins which I am well chuffed with. Although I think he underestimated to me how many hills there were. I have a feeling the settling snow is going to hamper me next week.

23rd Jan 09 - Take the day off work to spend with my lovely husband and decide we are going to do a long run. I said I'd checked the weather on the BBC and it was fine - lovely sunny day. Husband disagrees but goes along with me to keep the peace. All is going well till our half way point at about six miles - as soon as we turned around at Ocean Beach, the heavens opened and the wind hit us. It was like being flicked in the face by hundreds of rather wet fingers. We reasoned it would be better to get off the seafront which meant running past the restaurants, cue much gawping over expensive eggs benedict. By this time the weather was literally apocolyptic (sp) and I swear people were slowing down in their cars to have a look at the nutty people who decided to be "healthy" and go for a run. As we were trying to make it up the hill by Westcliff station, I could hear husband cursing at me, even over Kings of Leon/Girls Aloud on my Ipod. Eventually, we got to Leigh station and I knew that monster of a hill would probably be cited in our divorce so I convinced a cabbie to take pity on two dripping wet people and we made it back to the car. I have literally never been so happy to see my Punto.

19th Jan 09 - First run with Mel, whom I met at the training run. We are going to make it a weekly run now. It's amazing how quickly nine miles passes when you're putting the world to rights!

11th Jan 09 - Joined the first Havens training run of the year. Was a bit worried about keeping up with the big strapping lads but finally found my pace and, with the help of fellow runner Neil, did 12.5 miles in 1hr 50 something. It was such a great atmosphere and a lovely route round Leigh