Updated on 31st May 2011

Another week and another 10k run under the belt.  This time the Bupa London 10000, where I found myself lining up next to Paula Radcliffe and Mo Farah (amongst 10,000 others). 

I set myself the ambitious target of 45 minutes - failed spectacularly to make it, coming in at 48:33, and being overtaken by a pirate and a tiger towards the end of the race.  

Still, Paula didn't do much better.  3rd, pah! 

 

Next up:  Tooting 5k on Sunday 

 

Updated on 25th May 2011

I'm still going!  After a month or so to recover post-Paris I was back out pounding the streets on Sunday in the South London 10k.  I got a new PB of 47.13, which I was delighted with, and feel fired up for the BUPA London 10000 on Monday.

I'm still running - why have people stopped donating eh? 

Still to come: St Albans half marathon, London triathlon

 

 

Updated on 18th April 2011

I did it!  4:07:30 on a hot day, with no idea what would happen to my body after 16.5 miles (the furthest I'd run in training).

 

But this isn't the end. I've still got a (second) target to hit - £1770 - so I'll be swimming, cycling and running my way to the finish line at the London Triathlon in July to try and convince you to part with even more of your hard earned cash.

 

It's been a brilliant experience so far - already in 2011 I've clocked up a 10k race, 2 half marathons and a full marathon - so the triathlon seems like a great challenge.

 

Training starts as soon as my wetsuit arrives! 

 

Updated on 8th April 2011 at 10.40am

Thank you to everyone who's been so generous and helped me hit my target ahead of schedule!  

I've now updated my target to £1770 - enough to run the drop-in services in Wandsworth for 3 months!

I guess this means I actually have to do the thing now...

 

Updated on Mar 21st 2011 at 8:53 PM from the JustGiving API

Thanks to everyone who's donated so far - I didn't think I'd get over halfway to my target so quickly. You can read about my exploits/training on my blog at lukewaterfield.wordpress.com

Updated on Mar 14th 2011 at 7:53 PM from the JustGiving API

Thank you to everyone who's donated so far! 15 miles tomorrow - will run extra hard...

I'm running the Paris Marathon on 10th April and aiming to raise money for Merton and Wandsworth Asylum Welcome. 

 

As you probably know, I'm not one of life's natural runners, so to put myself through hundreds of miles of winter training, and then 26.2 miles of pain in Paris (NB. I don't mean bread), this must be pretty important.

 

Working in Tooting I've had first-hand experience of the work Merton and Wandsworth Asylum do for refugees in South London. 

 

Many of those they help have escaped from conflicts where they have been persecuted and faced torture or threats against their lives.  Yet once they're in the UK, many are unable to access key services, such as healthcare, education or housing, putting huge pressure on individuals and families who've already gone through hell to escape from their home countries. 

 

Merton and Wandsworth Asylum Welcome offers a support service to refugees in South London, providing English lessons, access to specialised healthcare, education, and help with applications for benefits and housing.  Their drop-in sessions also provide a safe and friendly place where people can eat a hot meal and practice English.

Though they are largely volunteer-run, there are still overhead costs associated with running the drop-in services.  

 

My target is £1180 - which will help run drop-in services for 2 months.  This includes room hire, food for the people attending the drop-in sessions and admin costs (there are a lot of forms to fill in and photocopy!). 

 

They do fantastic work - for some of the most vulnerable people in our society - so please give generously. 

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.