Jo ran the London marathon!

Joanna Atkinson is raising money for Sense

Participants: Lots of other nutters

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Flora London Marathon 2004 · 18 April 2004 ·

Sense is here to support disabled people from the first weeks of life through all the major milestones of adulthood. Over 70 years, we’ve built extensive knowledge and expertise in supporting disabled people with complex needs, including deafblind people.

Story

I did it! 26.2 miles, 4 hours, 49 minutes, 8 blisters and one very sore foot later and I'm still buzzing. It was tough, especially in the first half as my injured foot was throbbing from the start. I decided that dissociation was the best thing and pretended it belonged to someone else. By mile 15, I could no longer distinguish my foot from the pain everywhere else ;) The endoprhins kicked in and I loved the second half, especially the last 6 miles with the electric crowds. Running up the Mall with the finish line in sight, I felt like an extra from Chariots of Fire (although, I'm sure I didn't look like one!).

I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much without my foolhardy supporters who donned ridiculous orange wigs, to make themselves easier to spot. You wouldn't believe the surge you feel from spotting a familiar face in the crowds. Thanks to Sharon at 18 miles, Chris who infected me with his merriment at 21, Dad for running with me for a few metres (!?) at 22 miles and Mum, Doug, Peppy, G-G, Annie, Anne, Henry, Richard, Emma, Wendy, Jo, Roger and Mark at 24 miles. Also, those I didn't spot but who I knew were there (Tyron, Pam, John, Kate, Simon, Jo, Clare, Uncle Iain, Chris, Helen and Phillip). Hearty thanks to my training partner, Natalie who talked me into this madness in the first place and has become a solid friend along many miles of wet tarmac and conversations about whether running gives you a pot belly! Well done for beating Major Ingram, Hoggle Pot!

I have raised a grand total of £3271.02 for SENSE. This has totally surpassed my original target of £1000. It's amazing and totally due to your generosity! As you know, SENSE is a charity that has a lot of personal meaning for me and my family. I saw runners with Usher running with a guide and it gave me a lot of inspiration for the future. I hoping to carry on running, as I think I have been bitten by the bug. I hope that SENSE will continue to encourage people with Usher to take up the sport.

It is not too late to sponsor me using this page or by emailing joatko@clara.co.uk with your pledge.

Thanks for your support
Jo x

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Donation summary

Total
£2,126.00
+ £45.13 Gift Aid
Online
£160.00
Offline
£1,966.00

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