Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

We are running the NY marathon in less than a weeks time. It seems like a good opportunity to raise some money for a worthy cause. Every year the Dreamflight team at the RVI in Newcastle take children with serious illnesses on the holiday of a lifetime. All the money raised goes directly to the charity, (our race numbers and flights are our own responsibility) We've been training now almost daily for five months, mainly at 5.30 a.m! There have been many ups and downs on the journey but we are determined to make it. Not least because there is also a days shopping in New York to look forward to! 

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 - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you    Les and Jagoda    xoxox  

Saturday 31st October In New York

We are writing this on behalf of Jagoda and Lesley who are currently in the Big Apple. They arrived 2 days ago and are enjoying the sights and sounds. Glad to report they are match fit and raring to go. Last elements of training apparently include a trip to Tiffanys and several Cosmopolitans in a bar featuring in Sex and the City.

Q and the kids

Thurs 29th October 3miles 6a.m backwards holywood

So, this is it! all packed, last training run done, tick. I asked Jag this morning why again it was we were doing this. She said because we learnt that we could, and that's why. I am happy to be going, and happy to run it. I dont like the thought of being away from home and teh family for 5 days, or of the effort needed for sunday. This blog will be my momento, my keepsake of the marathon time. Maybe 20 years from now i will re read it and remember how it was. maybe the children will later come to understand why I was forever in my running gear when they emerged for breakfast. big huge thank you to friends and and family who have donated to the site, on and offline.It  means alot to us both. Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive, and when I need to dig deep at 18 or 21 miles, I will be inspired to run on. Love Les xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wednesday 28th October rest day

Jag working but day at home with kids for me. Been a strange, dissociated day. Boys were playing at a friends til after lunch, and Fran was Bells yarding with old school friends, which left Jas and I to pit potter in the village and do the tesco run and get sorted. Later, we took flowers for Charlotte, I'm away for what would have been her 7th birthday on friday

We're all at mine tonight for the last supper- lasagne to carb up. Then pack and early to bed. Plan a quick 40min run at first light. have checked us in online, its gonna be fine. Met a fella from church this morning who has done the NY three times and will be staying at the same hotel as us. He had some great tips, we may be able to share a taxi to the ferry. Strange and small world we live in. Feels like this lull at 5pm, as darkness falls and the house settles in, is the quiet before the storm. This is a rare ten minutes to reflect on our marathon journey, which began much longer ago than the 18 weeks of training, and which will last far beyond the finish line. Lx

Tues 27th October 3.5miles 6.00a.m great north rd

Same run as yesterday, its hard to find small enough routes to comply with the programme. Finishing up in the almost light, it feels strange having got use to the earlier darker runs. Lou our physio found knots in shoulders and buttocks last night and duely pressure pointed them! ouch ouch ouch. She has been a great help in the last few months, offering dietry advice and running tips as well as treating our rolling list of injuries. How do people do this marathon thing without a physio or podiatrist or dietician or sports wear supplier or pharmacist or, most important of all, a running buddy? it would be unthinkable to face this on your own, or not to have someone to share the experience with who really really knows how hard it has been . 48 hours til we fly. Lx

Monday 26th October 3.5 miles 35 mins 5.45a.m

7pm. been a busy one at work, all done now. just off to physio massage. tick tock tick tock....... Lx

Sunday 25th October 4.5miles 40 mins 7a.m

We benefit twice from the daylight saving, once this morning with an extra hour in bed, and again in NY next saturday night when they also put back their clocks, huzzah. Had a text at 3a.m to say Danni, my dental nurse has had a baby girl, how lovely, then was joined by poorly Dyl for another dose of calpol. Meanwhile Jas figured at 5.30 she wasn't so bothered by the extra hour and would much prefer to come for snuggles. So, when the alarm rang at 6.15a.m I had mixed feelings. But, as always, once you are out on the run it feels ok. Did a Holywood Ave, uphill and sluggish. These tiny little 3/4 milers are somewhat frustrating, yes they are over and done with quickly but cant help being left dissatisfied by the lack of effort it takes. Nice hymns in church, lots of people wishing us well for next sunday. this afternoon took kids to Gibside ropes to get them out from under my feet and into the fresh air. The boys would spend 8 hours a day on the Wii if left to their own devices. Sadly Dyl still not right so missed both the rugby and trip to ropes. Rachel's  sleep over party tonight means jag has 7 or 8 extras at hers whilst I take her other three here to give the girlies room to party. Fireworks, dominos pizza and chocolate fondu, what more could a child ask for? Me, I have a stack load of ironing and a bag still to pack. This time next week it will all be over....Lx

Saturday 24th October 6miles  55 mins 7a.m

Blood transfusion route and back to jags to collect the car left there last night. A better run, early doors suits us now, which bodes well because although the marathon starts 10.20a.m, we'll have to be up 5ish to get the bus and staten island ferry to the start. The children had all been on a sleepover, late nights all round. Fortunately no ill effects from the glass or two of wine we had, think thats it now, alcohol free and pasta daily until after the run. Jag has organised dollars and all the documents. So now we just have to pack the bags. Will carry our running kit as hand luggage, not wanting to be left trainerless by british airways  after all this preparation. Can you imagine the panic of being separated from our luggage??!  Took the little ones to washington ducks this afternoon. Very heavy downpour caused a near aborted mission but we persevered and out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain. How lovely is the ducks place? Saw the most beautiful rainbow and much to our delight, had a scone and clotted cream in the cafe.... LG. On return it appears Dyl has succumbed to a throat/ head virus and is 'calpol'ed up. Know its my duty as a loving mother to comfort him in his hour of need, as indeed I will if he requires it, but cant help hoping he goes to daddy for snuggles just to try and remain virus- free until thurs! Am I uttelry hell bound for that? Lx .

Friday 23rd October 4 miles 40 mins 5.00pm

Ran at 5pm after dropping kids to david lloyd karate class. This is because today its Rachels birthday and an early run was happily substituted for present opening and pancakes. But for us, running this late in the day, in the light ,and after two meals is all very bizarre and made for a heavy unsatisfying run. Jag carried the water bottle, thats all i have to say about that one. Having turned our minds to New York the trip, as opposed to New York the marathon, we find ourselves browsing the Tiffanys website and believing that we deserve a little something maybe. A reward, a pay back, call it what you will, Jag says she will swap the water bottle to carry a little extra platinum and diamond. Party tea at rachels tonight. How lucky are those eight children to share such a big family. Lx

Thursday 22nd October 6.5 miles 1hr 5mins 5.30a.m

backwards cycle path. was easy to get up and run this morning because didn't actually manage to sleep last night, think there is too much in my head to close down! Jag also had bad night- a neighbour's house alarm going off- do they not know how badly we need our sleep???!! So, the £2000 had almost been hit, we'll need to raise it again before the Sainsbury's bag pack on the 21st nov. This time next week we will just be heading to the airport! My etickets have finally arrived but the registration card not attached, tis is not good. No card no entry, must get sports tours international on the phone and sort it. We ran this morning in our newly printed tops and very soft, unshrunken groundhog socks, following the guidance that nothing we wear on the big day should be for the first time.Our trainers will have done in the region of 700 miles since we began the training, alternating between identical pairs. Maybe we will hang them up afterwards and say enough is enough. ( but clearly they would be need to be hung in a drafty, non public place because their smell reflects the amount of miles they've done!) Lx

Wednesday 21st October rest day.

jags race number and registration card have arrived ( still no sign of mine though) which puts the final official seal on things. Kind of scary, bit exciting too. Note to self- pick up NY training tops with newly printed names on buy safety pins x8 for running bib (i'll get some for yours too jag if you are reading this) Lx

Tues 20th October ran 6miles blood transfusion at 5.35am

Its cold and dark when i get up to run. there is so much to do and so little time. We leave in 9 days time. we leave in 9 days time. we leave in 9 days time- doesn't sink in does it? So many unanswered questions. How will it be? Please show me the picture in the crystal ball that will convince me not to worry. Did we finish? did we hit the wall? was it the most fantastic thing we'll ever do? And afterwards, the low, the post marathon blues i read about, will they come or will we ride high like the amsterdamers? But in real life they are sending a man to fix our tumble dryers tomorrow, a week earlier than first thought. This, and the arrival of our 3 packs of new groundhog running socks, causes us great joy in our hearts. Rest day tomorrow.  Lx

Monday 19th October ran 6miles 1hour Backward cycle path at 5.35a.m

Lesley and I have been warmly welcomed into The Balmoral Bounders who yesterday had great success at the Amsterdam Marathon. Two of the team achieved a very impressive 3hr40! We're yet to hear how the rest have done. well done bounders! Jag x

Sunday 18th October: rest day huzzah

Took the rest of the cakes and scones up to church to have with coffee after the service, raised another £109. This brings our offline total to £739. Wow. Heading to Kathys for Ben's birthday lunch. Boys are playing rugby away at alnwick- can you imagine my dread at having to dry three lots of rugby kits with no tumble drier? Towels and sheets and karate kits too, all like cardboard from the radiators- cant be fixed until the 29th. This hiccough may well be enough to cause our marathon plans to falter- how will we turn our training kits around fast enough to run daily???!!!!! Lx

Saturday 17th October: ran 3miles 6.00a.m great north road

This also was an early one because we had to be back to be ready for the coffee morning. mobilised the troops to be breakfasted by 7.30a.m then began cleaning and tidying and scrubbing floors. Fran baked brownies and Hen swept leaves. Jag always on hand when needed, came early equipped with flapjacks and coffee and cups. Kathy also big help. We think maybe 45ish people came, phenomenally successful really, raised £540. Fantastic team effort. Go to bed tonight feet throbbing but a little taller. Am humbled by people's generosity and good wishes for the run. Please God we don't let anyone down. Lx

Friday 16th October : ran 13 ish miles Kingston Park with blood transfusion loop 5.15a.m

had to do this one early because the chore list for the rest of the day was so long. Feet are very sore right now, think the almost marathon has taken its toll. jag continues to be sprightly, ankle seems not to have been the trouble we feared, thankfully. Organised 4" high platform white boots from Dandy for abba fancy dress ( Kathy's 40th later in the month) though sadly to date unable to source agnetha and freda wigs. Been to costco to get cakes and cookies for tomorrows coffee morning. Would liked to have produced homemade krispie cakes and scones but life got in the way and we ran out of time. Hopefully our guests won't mind. Slightly concerned ( in a I feel like a 9 year old way) that all the invites will come to nothing. Be fine i'm sure. But very very importantly today both mine and jags tumble driers have gone up in smoke- this is a complete disaster as any mother knows... kids will have to wear bibs and stay indoors for next two weeks to prolong the need to wash and dry! 

Thursday 15th October: rest day

Wow the target of £500 has been exceded!!! Huge thanks to everyone on and offline for very generous donations. Have raised the target to £1000 in advance of Saturday's coffee morning, nothing like a bit of optimism. Not running today, with its associated lie in, has lifted our spirits somewhat- or was it the glass of montana and team chat last night? either way we only face 11 more runs and the clock is ticking down. A patient asked me this week did I feel ready, i said I felt i ought to be. We have followed the programme start to finish, bar two injury weeks, and we did our almost marathon without too much ado. So, yes, I think we are ready. I have no doubt however that nearer the departure date all the tiny insignificant details like passport, packing, tickets, fights, hotel, expo and staten island ferry arrangements will become paramount and drown out any last minute moments of insecurity. We can only do what we can do. Lx

Wednesday 14th October: ran 5 miles Coxlodge 5.35a.m

Back to the grind, early morning early start. Seemed strange after running last night to be here again so soon. jag requests a day off tomorrow to get some R&R. Will consult the programme and get back to her! There is a limit as to how much we can prepare for the 1st Nov and I think we've pretty much reached it. By the end of the week we will have completed our last big run ( a 16 miler ) then starts the two week wind down. Will I miss the training? The early starts?  probably. likely. Lx

Tuesday 13th October: ran 3.5miles 28 mins @7.15 pm Grand prix series race 2

This is a first for us. We have somehow joined the Balmoral Bounders, a group of runners from gosforth whose children go to the same school as Jag's. This was an organised 3.5 mile handicap race of maybe 120 people, from St Mary's island to Spanish City and back. We had start times of +8mins , our team mates up to +20 mins. Set off at a pace much quicker than we would normally run, and stayed pretty even throughout. We thought we'd done well, until 4 mins from the end, when what felt like all 120 runners, bounded passed us at great speed. Somewhat demoralising but  the pint of Guiness and bag of nuts in The Victory later on made up for it. The other team members were very welcoming  despite being in a different league of running to us! From small acorns....Only decision to be made then was whether to  sleep in my running clothes as we've to be up in less than 8 hours to run again! Lx

Monday 12th October : ran 6 miles 1 hr @ 5.30a.m

After Fridays almost marathon, yesterday and todays run felt a little harder than normal. Think my IT bands are tight. I have another physio massage tonight, hoping that will sort it. Having a busy one at work, here til 7pm.

Sunday 11th October: ran 5 miles 50mins@5.35a.m Hollywood Rd, High St.

Today is a very special day so we had to run much earlier than we would normally at a weekend. Today is my boys 9th birthday. This time 9 years ago I was eight or nine hours into labour, with another few to go. Ethan was born 11.35a.m and Dylan at 12.05p.m. From two tiny 6 lb 9oz bundles to the big lads they are today, playing rugby and causing mayhem. They take my running as absolutely the norm, if I'm not there when they wake they know i'll be back from a run soon. They ask me 'how far did you run today mum? 6 10 16 miles? Little do they know how far from being able to run a marathon I was back in 2000. So boys, my Princes of Maine , my Kings of New England, happy birthday. love you lots and lots. mum xoxoxoxo

Saturday 10th October

Rest day. Super day out with Evie and Jas to the Disney princess on ice and pancakes in John Lewis. Jagx

Friday 9th October

..................... 6.45a.m

we have to run 20 miles this morning. Its dry and not too cold. slept ok. Havent had alcohol all week. leg feels ok. So all should go well, except I'm not looking forward to it all. Am worried about the point at hadricks mill when we have to turn away from home again having done 13 miles, and run through gosforth to kingston park. Am worried about tesco hill at mile 17. Am worried about the feeling of nausea that accompanies exhaustion. Wasnt like this last time we ran 20 miles because I had no idea of how it would be. In the marathon book the author, a respected distance runner of 25years, says "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" Maybe I should just put all of that out of my mind and get on and run. Porridge, kids spellings, hoovering, wash in wash out, bathrooms to clean, school drop then ready....

.....................6.35pm:  Ran 23 miles 3hrs 55 at 9.15am

Many, many,thanks to everyone who have very generously donated to our chosen charity Dreamflight . The Dreamflight team fly out from London on the 17th Oct for two weeks in sunny Florida. The same day we are having our coffee morning at Lesleys 10 till 12. All welcome. It costs approx. £5000 per child so every little bit helps. We are also booked into Sainsburys in Heaton on Sat 21st Nov to expertly bag pack , come along and see us wearing our New York Marathon Tshirts with pride . 

Today is huge day for Les and I . We ran for 23 miles and achieved it in 3hrs 55 mins to be precise! All attained by the many miles previously run and the use of sport gels! We`re both stiff and smelling sweetly of deep heat but delighted. Jag x

Let me tell you how it really was! cycle path to rising sun tick. even a phone a call to jags dad on the way to ascertain jola's shopping trip with jag's mum didn't warrant a stop en route, only later did we briefly halt to remove the odd stone slipped down a sock. we're feeling ok, a little heavy legged. then heading back the same route, 9 miles feels a long way. picked up water previously deposited, much appreciated. turned back up towards gosforth and the ascent to kingston park. still ok. at 14 miles I recall the running alphabet and realise we're at 'n' for niggle in right ankle. As we cross the A1 i'm ready for gel with caffeine, am thinking about tesco hill. fortunately we feel it kick in as we pull ourselves to the top. it was as tough as i'd imagined, note to self dont clench teeth when digging deep, remember to relax. Suddenly, in the turn of a track we've hit the peak of the run and a rush of adrenaline floods over me. Time now to lift my feet and run and for 40 seconds I achieve that rare thing, I call it a running rush, a hit, a kick. Just like with any other addiction, the search for this high is what keeps me running. I feel the wind on my face, mind goes empty, and my feet float, its almost like flying. I recall previous rushes, perfect runs, maybe 5 or 6 in the last 4 years. After this, completing the run is a given. Psychologically to go beyond 20 miles is important now because I need to have some idea of how bad I should expect it to be. This time I am able to convince Jag to do it. And so adding a 'blood transfusion' loop takes us to 23 miles. Jag has run really well, keeping pace throughout, sprightly right to the end, where I dropped to a shuffle, hips fused and unable to run in anything but a straight line. But neither of us has felt the nausea which sometimes comes after long runs. And we survived. The feeling of elation or satisfaction or accomplishment I know will come later.  Afterwards we walk it out for 10 minutes, and at home stretch, massage, and inspect our aching limbs. My feet are really cross with me. Later they divorce my legs due to irreconcilable differences, and my hips follow suit. We did well, I am v happy. Jag, I am v lucky to have  you on this journey with me. New York here we come. Lx

Thurs 8th Oct  rest day

Wed 9. 30 pm

It`s been a hard day for all today. Run , school, work(never a stroll in the park), afterschool activities, and after after school activities. The joy in my heart is that I`m NOT running in the morning. (Though I`m not so sure about Lesley.) Met Jenny M in Sainsbury`s who has done numerous marathons and who had lots of good advise and comments. She did the paris marathon in 4hrs! Only in my wildest dreams. Sipping savuignot blanc. L.G. jag x

Wednesday 7th October: ran 6ish miles 1hr 5mins @5.30am

'backwards cycle path' takes in the delights of hadricks mill, four lane ends and coach lane then finishes up Matthew Bank. I got cold running today, despite the windcheater. Made time afterwards to scrub the kitchen floor, much more satisfying. The books tell us to avoid overtraining at this stage, and listen to our bodies. In June and july when the sun was up early and temperatures warmer this was hard work but fun. Now its just hard work. Am wondering if i'm coming down with something. Can we regain our enthusiasm??? Lx

Tuesday 6th Oct: ran 6.8miles 1hr 10 mins@ 5.35am

Backwards Coxlodge.Feels strange running a familiar route the wrong way round. This run was just a ticking of a box exercise. It stayed dry while we ran then came a downpour at school drop off.  We've sent emails and texts to friends and colleagues with a link to this page. Now we can but wait and see if our target for Dreamflight is reached.Jag at home today looking after poorly children. Get well soon Rachel. Last night we had physio massages. Its like childbirth, if you breathe correctly you can almost convince yourself the pain is worth it. Lx

Monday 5th Oct : ran 6 miles     1hr 05mins @5.35am

Jag is right, non running days like yesterday carry guilt and an unsatisfied feeling yet it took two alarm calls to get me out of bed this morning, its cold and dark and every inch of my body said 'you have to be kidding me'. But once I start the routine of coming downstairs and putting on my kit, massaging with deep heat, tubigrip on, ten minutes of stretching and bending, then collecting ipod and water, its 5.35a.m before I know it and time to go. Ran a 'blood transfusion' route- that is, passed the blood centre rather than requiring one afterwards, which we both quite enjoy. Running familiar routes is part of the comfort blanket in which we wrap ourselves, whilst appreciating that the streets of brooklyn and manhatten will be utterly unfamiliar and all the more daunting. There is a definate heightening of anticipation now, with only two full weeks of training then two weeks of tapering before we leave. It occupies 80% of our thoughts and conversation and 110% of our energy. Lx

Sunday 4th Oct

So today is a Sunday and as the big guy has already informed us its officially a day of rest. As Les and I always do as we are told, we`ve been able to had a lovely lie in, which enabled me to read three chapters of my new book while Les undertook her mountain of ironing I bet. All days that do not involve a run have a feeling of guilt to them but at the minute our bodies are somewhat weary, stiff and strained.There is a great deal of stretching and massaging with deep heat and brufen gel. Its exactly 4 weeks today. Suddenly I`m feeling anxious. Jag x

saturday 3rd oct : ran 13.8  miles 2hrs10m @ 6.45am. 

This is the first big one since the ill fated great north run two weeks ago. Recovering from injuries #112 and #113: shin splints( me) and sprained ankle ( jag),  we're at week 14 of 18 and plan daily runs between now and the big day, with a 20miler at week 15. There are two things to report 1) there has been a change of season this week, now very autumnal, windy and noticeabley colder so it was the first outing of long sleeved running tops and gloves( abandoned at mile 4 of the cyle path and recovered on return leg, the gloves that is, not the tops obviously!) and 2) we spent a good mile discussing the virtues of horse manure over dog poo (the Rising Sun run has a liberal splattering of both) . Jag being far more in favour of the former if one were to have an unfortunate stepping in incident. We also discussed an A-Z of running, each of the 26 letter representing how we might feel at the corresponding mile of the marathon, A for anxious.. L for limping..O for ouch.. S for sure we will never do this again etc. But on the positive side, we survived the run, injuries in tact and ready to face the day, wash in wash out... tidy house.....Lx

friday 2nd oct : ran 7miles 1hr 05 @5.30a.m

Woken by alarm, never good. far better when eyes open naturally and you realise you can have an extra 5 mins in bed. Am having to run via castleton and osborne rd to meet jag on the corner, because  jesmond dene rd has been too dark to run alone these last couple of weeks. Did a coxlodge run, its not our preferred option but the physio reckons a different route every day will help to build stamina. Lily off school sick, following on from Dylan's bug earlier in the week. Note to self, start taking multi vitamins to ward off the inevitable cold viruses knocking about and to combat low haemaglobin level. Lx