Charity
Fertility Scotland supports the Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme which has been providing high quality Assisted Conception Treatment since 1991. They bring together a unique combination of medical, scientific and embryological staff from the NHS and outstanding local academic communities.
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My first marathon for 8 and a half years ...
2010-04-30
5 days after the big day ...
Well the dust has settled, the blisters have nearly healed up and already I am looking forward to the next challenge ... not a marathon but the Bupa Great Edinburgh 10k Run this Sunday (2nd May). For those who I haven't had a chance to speak to or email please accept my huge thanks to you for your sponsorship - it is much appreciated and helped me get over my original target of £500 - I still hope a little bit more might come in, which could raise the pre Gift Aid total to over £600 and with Gift Aid around £750, so once again thank you for your kind support.
So onto the events of the day, you can read the whole story at my bloghttp://2009miles.org.uk/2010/04/marathon-effort.html but suffice to say it was tough! After such a long gap between marathons I did feel like a virgin marathoner again, so the title sponsor is an apt one! I had a target of between 3.30 and 3.45, I only got offered the place in mid January through Virgin Money and their chosen charity for their Edinburgh office, Fertility Scotland. When I was offered the place I was only running 5k events and was probably totalling around 10 miles a week so it was a steep progression to get to 26.2 miles in 3 months! However, after watching Eddie Izzard doing 43 marathons in 51 days with just 5 weeks preparation beforehand I had taken the view that anything was possible.
Sadly I had a bit of a tough second half - I was fine for 13 miles, going well and on for about 3.26 but then my quads started to tighten up and went into cramps and then spasms at 15 miles, from then on it was survival to the finish line with walking, jogging, stopping, stretching and a bit of massage thrown in just to get me to the end! It was only in the last mile and a half I was able to start running properly again and when I finished I was actually feeling fine! I even managed to help a struggler down the finishing straight, he was wobbling a bit and looking like he might not make it so I gave him some encouragement to get him going again and ran with him until I knew he was going to get to the line safely. Believe it or not some people make it all the way round the 26 miles and then the last 0.2 miles beats them! My split times of 1:42 for the first half and 2:35 for the second make for painful reading but really, apart from my legs going into spasms, the last half was actually fine – at one point I took my heart rate and it was 140, indicating that I was in the right zone for getting round! I won’t say ‘there’s always next time’ as I don’t know if there will be another marathon for me, but I am not saying 100% no ... for now though it’s 10ks and half marathons – maybe even a spot of track running to get the legs going a bit faster.
So, not quite the marathon I had envisaged but I am glad to have been part of it and very glad to have helped in some way with the great work that Fertility Scotland do ... until the next time, keep on running!
2010-04-18
Into the final countdown!
Well here we go! The last time I ran 26.2 miles was November 2001 at the New York City Marathon, since then the longest I have run, in training or races, is 13.1 miles ... well that was until the end of February when I inadvertently ran 17.5 miles when I had been planning on doing 13 or 14, serves me right for running GPS free! Then at the end of March, 4 weeks to the day before the marathon, I upped this to 19.5 miles, so now I just have the small matter of the other 6.7 miles to get through on the big day, Sunday 25th April 2010!
Why I am running this year?
Well a few reasons I guess! The first is why not!? The second is that through my work at jogscotland we were offered the opportunity of some places to run for one of Virgin Money's chosen charities, Fertility Scotland. That was back in early January and the deadline for submitting entries was rapidly approaching - so in under a week we managed to find 7 of our members who were up for the challenge!
Also, I provisionally put myself forward for a place, partly as motivation to get running again regularly after several years of intermittent attempts to get myself back in decent running shape! It was only when the official race pack popped through the door last week that I actually realised that my 'provisional' place was a real place! So now relatively injury free (other than the odd ache and pain from 'old' age) and with some long runs under my belt I actually feel able to go the distance.
Finally, but probably the most important reason for doing the marathon is that I really support the work of Fertility Scotland. My wife and I are really lucky to have a wonderful daughter, Rachel, who will be seven in November this year. We are also very lucky to have another baby on the way, a little brother for Rachel, due in early July this year. We hadn't initially planned on having such a long gap between children ... although it does mean that Rachel will be a big help in little-brother sitting duties ... but like many couples we found that getting pregnant is not the quick and easy process that they describe in sex education lessons at school! When we found out Ali was pregnant back in October last year we were absolutely overjoyed, but we know that many couples who really want to have children are not as fortunate as we are. The research work that Fertility Scotland undertakes is already helping and can help many more couples to become parents and to enjoy the unique wonder and fulfilment that comes with bringing a new life into the world.
My fundraising
Well, I know I have run marathons before, but this is a new challenge - my first marathon since turning 40 and my first of the 2nd decade of the 21st Century so I hope that you are able to sponsor me a little bit towards a really worthwhile cause.
For me, running has always be a passion and is something that I hope will enable me to enjoy a long and healthy life with my wife and children. Now, through running, I have a unique chance to make a difference to other people's lives through my support for Fertility Scotland - so please help me give other people a chance to have a child of their own!
About donating online through Virgin Money Giving
Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to Fertility Scotland. Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on the charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.
Giving online is the best way to raise funds quickly and easily and also has been shown to increase the amount of Gift Aid that is reclaimed on donations, thus meaning more funds go direct to the charity.
I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.
(AKA - the jogster)
Recent donors
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John Smart £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 11.05.10 Well done Alistair. Glad you could keep going! |
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Pauline Beare & the Run in England Team £10.00 10.05.10 |
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jammybilly £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 07.05.10 Well done Alistair great effort. You just never know when these things are going to happen but you kept going and I suspect now, you might want another go at it! Well done the jogster. |
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Clare Shaw & Martin Hall £5.00 (+ £1.41 giftaid) 04.05.10 Better late than never... Congratulations on finishing the marathon, Alistair, and on your fantastic baby news! |
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Marion McKenzie, jogscotland Alexandria £8.00 30.04.10 Well done |
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Bill and Kathleen Arthur £5.00 30.04.10 Well done, Alistair - best wishes to you. |
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Tara £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 26.04.10 I hope it went well - good on you xx |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 26.04.10 |
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Kirsty £5.00 (+ £1.41 giftaid) 25.04.10 Congratulations on the new Currie bump, hope the run went well. Kxx |
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David and Pauline Jones £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 25.04.10 Good luck, we are watching the start now looking out for you!! |
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Jim McInnes £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 25.04.10 Best wishes for a good run |
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Graham Laing - Run 4 It Inverness £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 24.04.10 Good luck on Sunday. Fantastic amount raised so far - you must be proud! |
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Callum Orr £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 24.04.10 Do it for Scotland |
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Peterhead Jogsotland £50.00 24.04.10 From all at Peterhead Jogscotland wishing best wishes for Sunday |
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Megan Hubbard £10.00 22.04.10 Go Al!!! Do jogscotland proud!!!! |
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Jim Dobbie £5.00 (+ £1.41 giftaid) 22.04.10 Keep the sunshine in your face, and the clouds will always be behind you :-) Have a great run Alistair |
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Bonny & Tommy £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 21.04.10 Good luck |
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David Hamilton £20.00 21.04.10 All the best on the day Alistair, good luck and next year I might join you. |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 21.04.10 |
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Nina T £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 21.04.10 I take my hat off to you - its a big challenge which I am sure you will love (when you're finished.) I will be watching for you on telly. Great news about your new baby - congratulations. |
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Running Imp £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 21.04.10 Hope to catch up with you at the weekend, but if we don't see you good luck! Chris, Caroline, Kate and all at Running Imp |
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Anonymous £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 21.04.10 Good Luck!! All the very best, enjoy it & try to remember the feeling as you cross the finish line - exhilaration??? |
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Tom Crampton £5.00 (+ £1.41 giftaid) 21.04.10 I hope all project managers of jogging programmes are taking part around Britain........... |
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Richard Barrie £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 21.04.10 My donation is conditional on you breaking 3 hours :-) |
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Alan, Ann, Jonathan, Matthew and Charlotte £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 20.04.10 Good luck. Take it easy and have a good day. Will try to catch you on the telly. |
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Gordon & Lynette Mitchell £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 |
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Elaine Boyd £20.00 20.04.10 I had no idea you were running although seems like you didnt either! Good luck and brilliant to hear its a wee boy!! :-) Jog On!! |
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Mel Edwards £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 All the best Alistair. A worthy cause. |
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the Pizzey clan £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 good luck, let us know how you get on |
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Neil @ ESPC £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 Good luck...i hear all the elite athletes may not make it over...this could be your year for the win!! |
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Emma Harden £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 Good Luck |
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deefie jogger £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 cal,l yourself - 'jogster '- live up the name son!! |
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Rhona McLeod £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 Good luck Alistair - try to ignore the fact your legs are 10 years older than last time. Congratulations on the baby - fantastic news! Rhona x |
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Lois MacDonell £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 Good luck Alistair. I well remember watching the first London Marathon just before we came to live in the Highlands. |
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Alan Crawford £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 Best of luck, I'm sure it will be a fantastic experience and rewarding. A good cause (speaking from experience) |
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Jane Moncrieff £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 Good Luck for Sunday and well done, I did it too in my 40th year! Jane |
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catherine foster £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.04.10 good luck alistair!! will look out for you and give you a cheer |
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Anonymous £10.00 20.04.10 Good luck, Alistair from Terry, Kevin, Louise & Valerie at SCOTTISH RUNNING GUIDE |
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Karen K £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 06.04.10 good luck - looking forward to hearing how your big day goes |
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Andy and Pat Currie £26.00 (+ £7.33 giftaid) 01.04.10 Good luck, we are very proud of you. Love from Mum and Dad xx |
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Rob Cameron £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 29.03.10 Good on you Alistair, all the best. Rob |
