Virgin Money London Marathon

29 April 2018

I can't believe it was a week ago today that I was on the start line of the famous London Marathon, nor more importantly the finish line with my medal and finishers tee shirt. As everyone knows it was the hottest on record at 24.2 degrees and more like 27 or 28 out on the tarmac. The marathon was everthing I was led to believe, it really is one 26.2 mile street party - the crowds are amazing and them calling out my name every step of the way definitely drove me on. Many of the water stations running out of water made it doubly difficult but the ice lollies from the spectators were amazing! At half way I was on target but some cramp, which I had a quick sports massage for en route, and seeing record numbers drop out or pass out, made me take the decision to just get to the end. Miles 12 to 22 are the worst but once I hit 10 miles to go counting down the miles spurred me on again and soon passed the time with 1 mile to go then 800m, 600m, 400m and rounding the corner down The Mall to the finish line. Surprisingly I was able to walk (slowly although quite oddly) over Westminster Bridge back to my hotel and to sleep for 12 hours before the train journey home the next day. Thank you so much to those who have sponsored me. I know that donations continue to come in both on and off line. It is very much appreciated and we will give a final total in the next few weeks. Thank you for your good wishes and the support you have shown for The Furniture Scheme. I did say never again but you never know!

18 April

I am reminded today how life can change on a dime! 

All money raised will go to help those individuals and families who are struggling with life's challenges. Not everyone has the resources or resilience to cope with these challenges without help, your support can change this. Please give generously, thank you.

16 April 2018

Having some quiet time whilst carb loading this evening and reading all the good luck messages and posts on VLM's facebook pages full of encouraging messages and tips for fisrt timers like me so feeling a bit emotional at the enormity of this challenge!

If you havent already donated please consider it, it is very much appreciated!

3 April 2018

OMG less than 3 weeks to go and officially reducing the mileage! Now to focus on some shorter runs, getting my diet and hydration right and a bit of bedtime reading with the VLM Runners Guide...number 54067 for those that want to follow me and I'll post the link to the VLM app when it's released.

I was confident after my 20 miles three weeks ago, having a bit of a wobble now but I guess that's normal.

Thanks to all who've donated so far! £1045 including offline donations and gift aid! Please keep them coming!

11 March 2018

 Yay 20 miles, not too bad to 16 but the last 4 were tough and hilly! I had great encouragement from friends who came to support me! Longest run ever and feeling sore but confident! Beginning to think I can do this. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. It means a great deal to me but even more to the families we support.

26 February 2018

Well that's my long slow run done for this weekend! All 13.1 miles at the Wrexham Village Bakery Half. It was tough but such a beautiful sunny, if icy cold, day. I was annoyed with my performance but only a little as I remembered it is the furthest I have run since last June when I did Shrewsbury Half on the hottest day of the year in 30 degree heat! What a difference! 

First thought as I crossed the finish line? How the heck does anyone do that twice over? I will let you know!

9 February 2018

Well and truly into ramping up the miles now, and although it is getting seriously tough looking at my training plan, I am feeling more confident than I was, not because of the miles I am putting in but because I know I am going to be part of a big team, all 40,000 of them, supporting each other to get across that finish line. The part I am most worried about, funny as it seems, is that long wait at the start line!

27 November 2017

I can't believe a whole month has passed since my last update! What's fresh? Well I have been building up the miles very slowly. I am now doing 3 short runs/week totalling about 18-20k. This time last year I was running about 25-30k a week so a way to go but the upside is I can feel my stamina improving. The main aim is to cover the distance and not go for 'Mo Like' performances!! That's not going to happen! I have Telford 10k next week and then just a bit of a push to get to the magic ten miles by the end of the year 

25 October 2017

It's about time I updated you all on my training, knee, hip flexor and hamstring fully recovered so no excuses. The VMLM is now 25 weeks on Sunday. The plan is to get back up to a comfortable ten miles by Christmas, ready for The Wirral Way Half in January and then a two month build up to the Wrexham Running Festival's 20 miler on 11th March and then tapering down till 22nd April...eek, how hard can it be?!!

16 October 2017

Who would have thought when I went for that very first run 29th October 2015 and I clocked up all of 0.69km that I would find myself entered into the iconic Virgin Money London Marathon.

I didn't realise I was so unfit and it took me until 30th April 2016 to recover enough to run again, this time clocking up 5k at a parkrun. I came to running late in life, having been a couch potato previously. I started running to lose weight, gain fitness, maintain well being and make friends as I found myself well and truly in midde life, children having flown the nest and very little outside of work and grandchildren.

Since then I have clocked up a fair few miles, completed 4 half marathons, reached my 50th parkrun and done numerous 10ks.

I am excited to be running the marathon, possibly my one and only, and for South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, my favourite charity which supports disadvantaged people who find themselves in difficult circumstances through unemployment, mental ill health, low income or difficult family circumstances.

Thank you

Gilly