So...here I go again, however this time the challenge is slightly taller , slightly longer and much much harder.  I am training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2010 and planning to raise a lot of money for the worthwhile charity NO SURRENDER with all of your help.

March 2009

I DID IT....13.1 miles in 2 hours 29 mins, not the quickest but I DID IT!!!!  The race started off quite hot and I was thrilled when it went in and I was able to focus on just running.  Looking back I found it easier than I thought I would - and the best part was when I sprinted into the stadium for a very very fast sprint finish.  This has been my biggest achievement to date and has spurred me on for more.

Again, thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far but I still have a long way to go to reach my target so please dig deep.  I would like to thank Col for getting up very early and driving me to and from Reading as well as waiting patiently for me to finish.  I would also like to thank Becs for her support and amazing motivation in the lead up to the race. 

February 2009 

The training has begun and I did my first race on 14th Feb and boy was it tricky...more up hill than I thought and had a stitch for 2 out of the 3 laps..ouch!!!!  However, I did it (not in the time I wanted which was 59 mins but in 1.03mins) and I would like to thank everyone for their sponsorship and lovely messages of support. 

The Mount Killi group also met up to have the first of many briefings on what to expect  from the climb and what we need to do before hand, so as we tucked into our pizzas we had our whole trip broken down and all agreed that we have a huge challenge on our hands.  So, with our bellies full of pizza and our heads full of fear we headed off into the night to make our personal plans...we are next meeting up in March when Berghaus have kindly agreed to talk us though our kit and and what exactly we need to make out journey more enjoyable!!!

My next challenge is a half marathon in March and as I type, I am really nervous that I am no where near ready and am going to have put a huge amount of training in between now and 21st March..wish me luck!

I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far and to encourage you to sponsor me for the half marathon...a huge thank you as well for my corporate sponsors:

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Genix Imagining

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The No Surrender Charitable Trust was set up by Jason Boas in 2007 who at only 33 was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The original focus was to raise money for the Royal Marsden and to set up a networking website for young adults suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

Despite his situation Jason succeeded in his vision and the No Surrender website continues to bring together young adults to support each other through the emotional distress and upheaval that a life threatening illness brings.

A Fellowship in Jason's name researching cures for pancreatic cancer in partnership with University College Hospital London has also been setup.

There is still a long way to go, and with your support our fundraising will continue to honour Jason's vision with the website and also to support important cancer related projects and research.  For more information, please have a look at www.no-surrender.org

I am planning lots of ways to spur you on to sponsor me in the next 12 months that will be among things fun and silly...stay tuned for updates.

As always, a big thank you from me and No Surrender x