There's no turning back! 14 hours and I am putting on my trainers!

Did we ever think we'd see this Day? We've all had Christmas Eve excitement but Marathon Eve is a whole new set of emotions! Flew over yesterday to gatwick where I was met by my cousin Mark, his wife Clare had completed London 2010 and are such easy company. Stress level has been very high this week, mad run of work, then trying to prepare to get away for a week. this time tomorrow hopefully I will have crossed the line and be sitting with friends and family enjoying a wee glass of something other than Lucozade! I am so humbled by everyone's support, tweets,texts,call, Facebook messages all day today. I find myself very emotional already! This has been one long journey that my dearest friends and family can only appreciate.The injury to my ankle that really caused such mental and physical anguish-from a simple fall in Dec 31 2007, 5 surgeries later over 2.5 years, 100's of physio sessions by Declan who never gave up on my one simple wish, to be able to run again! And tomorrow morning I will run 26 miles , I will, I will! Run for kids who can't-what a humbling thing to be able to choose to do that! And wow the donations have been immense! Well exceeded my crazy target of 20,000 euro! People thought I was crazy to sign up to the marathon, but even crazier to set such a hefty target! But my feeling was there's no point doing anything half-hearted. Thank you so much for every single donation, no matter the amount, to go to the effort to support me by making a donation, by buying a raffle ticket,coming to Take me Out or the BBQ and Boogie-I am overwhelmed beyond words. Please do keep me in your prayers for a finish which gets me over the line intact! My number is 39857, track me on the Virgin Marathon site. And feel free to keep the funding momentum going www.virginmoneygiving.com/DEBORAHMAXWELL or www.loughderg.org That's me for now, dinner and try and get an early start.

Getting ever closer-only 11 days and 20 hours-seriously nervous-9th April, 2012

Hi everyone-I have been a little remiss here on 'blogland'-sorry-but work has been hectic, fundraising has been hectic, oh and the small matter of training has all been quite time consuming. But yes checked the timer there on our website before writing this blog and realised I am nearly in single days-guess it's really going to happen then. I should now be at 'tapering' stage according to the running experts and indeed my programme-sprints today, an 8 mile on Thursday, and 10miles this coming Saturday doesn't sound much like tapering but I am keeping my faith in the programme that has so far managed to keep me on target and injury free.
It's been all go since my last blog-which was the highlight Take me Out fundraiser in Pettigo, or Omagh Half Marathon-my first race since school days?? Well given they both happened on the same day-let's just say the 31st March was a GREAT day. €4500+ raised for Take Me Out event alone-thanks in large part to Betty Colton and her band of volunteers who went near and far selling tickets and promoting the event-unbelievable and I am not sure how we can thank her! To all the locals who supported it, to the contestants-the lovely Ladies and even Lovelier 'Ruby', a wildcard entry to the 'single ladies' but who provided enough laughs for a year-amazing-thanks Joseph.And to the single guys who juggled , danced and joked their way to hot dates! To Paddy McGuinness (aka Declan Colton) and his partner in crime Paul for compering the event then providing a great night of music, and to Lorraine, Donal and Brian for setting up for the night. Everyone at at office has really got behind the Manager on Run campaign-Maureen, Nuala, Jennifer, Lorraine and Trina-thanks alot. Local businesses provided raffle prizes and Potter's Bar hosted what was truly a great night. This all took place after the small business of running my first half marathon in Omagh. It's all a bit of a blur but I was delighted with how it went on the day-finishing in 1 hr 58 min-my best training time at this distance of 13 miles had previously been 2hrs 8 min-so hopefully that bodes welll for the big day.
Fundraising continues this weekend with an event in my hometown-First BBQ of 2012-let's hope the sunshine comes back-tickets are only a fiver which includes your bbq as well as two great musicians, Justin Black and Kiel Cathers.
Any words of support at this stage will be greatly appreciated and for all who have donated in any way-a massive thank you-I am truly overwhelmed. Will do one more blog before I head to London next Friday

24 days-who's counting?? 29th March, 2012

Happy Sunshine week everyone hasn't it been glorious? Makes getting up in the morning so much easier even with the hour stolen from our lives at the weekend.
We really are on the homestretch now-I say 'we' because it seems easier-the harsh reality of running 26 miles on my own hasn't quite entered my realm of reality yet-will wait until the morning of 22nd April to allow that to sink in.
Last Saturday's big 20 miler went okay given that the week leading up to it was mad busy and Friday night was Anchor Boy Parent's Night-so a late evening and zero rest! 20 miles completed in 3hr 14 min-not too bad though I do wonder where the other six miles are going to come from??
Sprints then on Tuesday were so much quicker than last time-distance was 1200 metres x 6 -25 seconds quicker than my last pace at that distance. However 26 miles is quite a wee bit more than 1200 metres so I'll not get too excited about that one! Lunchtime run today of 5 miles in sunshine-had to go fast as I was 'running' late for a meeting:) Now off to Physio and then first ever race on Saturday-Omagh Half Marathon-it will be good test to see how I cope under race conditions-2000+ runners as opposed to lonely wee mee out on the Killeter road-but nothing like the 35,000 in London.
The week has been manic again-so much on...seasonal recruitment, advertising, suppliers oh and a small matter of fundraising target of 20K. I have been to amazed by the support and generosity of pilgrims, businesses, friends, family...and not only their donations but just words of support and the actual effort people are putting in around me to help achieve this target. I am confident we'll have reached it by 22nd April.

Just a reminder first fundraising event this Saturday-night of fun and passion....well fun at Take Me Out in Potters Bar, Pettigo-31st March
Next event is first BBQ of the Year at TownHouse Beer Garden on April 13th with Music by Justin Black and Kiel Cathers.

If you'd like to support either get in touch

if you can't make it maybe you'd like to sponsor me online at www.loughderg.org/donations or www.virginmoneygiving.com/DEBORAHMAXWELL

I really do need your support these last few weeks-thanks so much
Deb

Less than 30 days to go! 23rd March, 2012

Hi everyone, I am thinking that there will be only 3 or 4 more blogs so I'll try and keep them interesting. Efforts this week have been manic on the fundraising front-the girls in the office have been packing letters, printing tickets...and thankfully counting money! Betty Colton who has taken on the first event Take Me Out (in a week's time in Potter's Bar, Pettigo) is a my new hero-she has done way more miles than I have -albeit in her car-driving around the countryside, standing at marts, knocking on doors, selling tickets for the event-amazing energy! Meanwhile I have been fitting in all the running..17 miles on St. Patrick's Day-lovely spring morning-lambs skipping in the field, sun shining, Patrick smiling on us all...on all apart from one poor dead ewe in a farmer's front garden...I was devestated and when the farmer came out to me to see if I was okay -he couldn't understand the notion of stretching at all!-He was more annoyed that the ewe had died after eating good meal all winter,,,,and sure it wasn't too bad he managed to take three lambs out of it in the morning-priceless:) Skipped the gym on Monday for a wee scenic drive around our lovely Donegal (in the rain)...and back to Tuesday sprints-as I was busting a gut trying to do 12 x 400 m, I had an awful thought that I could be overcome like poor Fabrice Muamba and no-one would find me on the track until the next morning...but the heart held up. Prayers still needed for Fabrice-that he makes a full recovery. Then Thursday's short fast run again had to happen in the morning early before work as i had meetings all day-5 miles as you wake up is no fun! And tomorrow sees the Big 20 again-in a strange kind of way I am almost looking forward to it-as the week has been mental/silly busy. I know I will not be thinking that about Mile 12 or so-but it's the last big big one-the rest will be no longer than 13 until M- Day. Talking of Marathon Day, received my running number yesterday and all the race details-so so scary to see it in front of me-I am actually doing it in less than a month-all the miles marked on a big map-a farcry from my wee country roads-I truly hope I just remain healthy and injury free until then and can enjoy all the atompshere as well appreciate how much people have got behind me.
The very exciting news on a Friday evening is that I am more than halfway to my total-a whopping €12,000 with 29 days left to go and 2 fundraising events.
I cannot tell you how humbling this is, and will certainly spur me on as I tackle the big one tomorrow. For now I must sign off as I rush to prepare for my little Anchor Boys Parents Night at the church-30 little boys trying to do their best in front of their mammies-we are going for the cute factor! Have a great weekend and thnaks for the support.

Donations Welcome

Not the weekly blog just an update to how to Donate. Many will have recevied an email or letter by now; many have indeed very graciously sponsored my efforts

If you would like to do it online

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DEBORAHMAXWELL (Get Kids Going)

or http://www.loughderg.org/donations (LOUGH DERG)

Two great fundraising events are also happening

Take Me Out with Music afterwards by Mucky Ducks in Potters Bar, Pettigo, March 31st (Tickets €5/£5)
BBQ and Boogie in the Beer Garden at TownHouse, Castlederg-Music by Justin Black with special guest appearance by Kiel Cathers of The Logues (Tickets £5)

For more information contact me at manager@loughderg.org

36 Days to Go-yikes! March 16th, 2012

Happy Eve of St. Patrick's Day everyone-very much looking forward to a long weekend-which starts tomorrow with a 17 Mile run-now that just seems like someone's idea of a sick joke desiging a programme to run 17 miles on St Patrick's Day! But hey it's three miles less than last Saturday-yes I survived the 20 miler-hooray hooray-so happy to have this done-and even better it didn't rain once:) 3hrs 15 min is a long time running on your own but it wasn't as awful as I thought. So it gives me great hope that maybe just maybe I'll do this thing! Yesterday's short run was 8 miles-and my legs are still sore today-not a good sign. But we had confirmaiton retreats all week at the Island so not sitting all day....good rest tonight and hopefully all will be well-and then enjoy a few festivities over the weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the mummies out there too-mine is the best!
Breaking news we have broke the €6000 barrier-€6150 at last count and lots of fundraising efforts made this week by all the staff here-thanks guys! If you'd like to donate just log on to the website, www.loughderg.org or send directly to Lough Derg.
And do not miss out on Take me Out in Potter's Bar, 31st March-tickets only €5 or £5-you likey

Have a great weekend everyone

Yikes 44 days to go! 8th March, 2012

Hi everyone (well the 10 or so that claim to read my lonely blog-how special are you!) -last update I  notice was almost 3 weeks ago-very remiss of me-sorry-been a tad busy. Well I am still on track-since I blogged last-I have ran 72 miles and still here to tell the tale-the longest one of those was 18 miles week before last-just before heading to Scotland for the weekend-that mentally was a big hurdle to get one really long run out of the way. However kind hit a wee dip last Saturday on a 15 miler-struggled and felt very rough afterwards-think it had just been an insane week at work, hadn't been sleeping great and quite a few of the girls here actually were struck down with the adult version of 'Slap Cheek'-never heard of it in my life-but not something you want to get as an adult-aching joints, deep fatigue etc. But back on track again this week-had a wee niggle in my bad ankle all Monday & Tuesday-to be honest I think it was psychological more than anything..had physio again on friday and everything is good. Was every inspired by Debra Searle on Monday of this week-a professional adventurer who launched the Donegal County Enterprise Week-an amazing woman who rowed across the atlantic herself! Her lasting words to me were 'Choose your Attitude'-so that is my new mantra between now and 22nd April! Not a bad one for all of us everyday if we think about it!
Did a wee five miler today which hand on heart was probably the first run which felt good-so maybe all the training is starting to pay off. I really hope so-I have the biggie on Saturday-20 miles which will be the greatest distance the programme demands-so will get plenty of rest Friday night and see how it goes-will update you next week.
Fundraising campaign is kicking off in earnest this week-doing a big appeal from the Office here-and a few local events are planned.The first of which is Take Me Out in Potters Bar, Pettigo, with music afterwards by The Mucky Ducks on 31st March. Come along if you are anywhere local-should be good craic.
And the most important update-delighted to announce total now sitting at €5750-€2000 a week needed between now and April 22nd-can we do it-Yes We Can (Bob the Builder, 2000). I was just reading up on Get Kids Going yesterday and it really is inspiring stuff to think that €3000 (my fundraising pledge to that charity) can buy a sports wheelchair and be the beginning of something fantastic for a child-the start of Olympic dreams even!

Morale has been at a bit of a low ebb during last weekend so any wee words of support would be greatly appreciated.Wish me luck for TBO (The Big One) this weekend......

Week 7 of 16-almost half way there-February 17th, 2012

Hi everyone-Friday afternoon and man does it feel like it (or woman, girl/boy). Raining all day with snow in the forecast for the weekend-just what we love eh? Now that you are as suitably depressed as I am, stay with me as I update you on the last fortnight of this mad journey. I've been sprinting, running, jogging ....went from 14 miles, to 15 miles for TBO (The Big One), the extra mile being uphill and ending up at very smelly cowsheds-totally inspiring and dripping wet-probably weighing an extra 4lb-saturated with rain-had to empty my shoes when I came back-actually felt at times that I was doing the steeplechase-isn't that the event they have to run through big puddles etc? But survived-2 1/2 hrs-minus one toe nail-yes the big left one has now left me-not without some intervention from a therapist-don't worry-not that bad yet-a beauty therapist had to remove it as it was clinging on for dear life-can't think why if you knew my feet:)
Anyway unfortuntately old dead toe nail must have warned any young new baby nail to steer clear of Deb Maxwell's left foot -cos none waiting there to take its place-kinda results in a rather tender situation-but hey I've been there before. As a wee treat for my legs had  physio session with Saint Declan who was quite impressed with how my ankle is holding up-the poor calf that shrunk by going through so much ankle surgery etc. is still a tad skinny but as Declan says 'it's not getting much fatter but its functional'-I'll take that!  Last week then brought more of the same: sprints, a mid week run to the Island where we had a strange cat encounter but that's a whole seperate blog:), and then was off to Manchester last Friday for the Game of Games Man U v Liverpool. So my pleasurable weekend was commenced with a 17 mile run last Sat. morning in Baltic Manchester-thanks to some manchester running clubs I found a place to run but wow it was so so cold. Not sure if I am honest that  I did 17 miles but ran for 2hrs 50 min so should have been close...up at 6am to try and eat something before taxi out to the 'country' at 7am -back at hotel by 10.30-showered and colours on before heading to Old Trafford....what a game, electric atompshere, and those poor wee legs jumping up and down with every kick of the ball (or every kick of Suarez:)) -followed by mandatory post match refreshments....= one v tired Debs by about 11pm that night. Back home Sunday and it has been a manic week at work preparing for next week's Ash Wednesday service as well as getting our bumper season guide brochure signed off! Tuesday had me sprinting-it's a lonely hour running around a synthetic pitch,  trying to pretend you are being chased by a bear to initiate bursts of speed but 7 x 800 metre-and looking back on the last time I ran 800 m a few weeks had shaved off an impressive 10 secs per 800m-Thursday's short tempo run was a cruel 8 miles but again decent time of 9.5 min mile again in the rain. 13 miler tomorrow and right now I am feeling wrecked....but sure there's nothing else for it-and I always feel good after it. I have a photo in my bedroom and kitchen of a wee chap of about 6 with those sprinting prosthetic cheetah limbs on him with a massive grin at the finishing line of a race-no legs below the knees and its so obvious he loves running! One dodgy ankle and aging body is very very minor.
And so for the big question 'Show Me the Money'-happy to have added another 500 euro to the total-now at 4500euro -just another 15, 500 to go =€1700 a week needed-yikes! However we have one local event in Pettigo planned -Take Me Out followed by dancing and music on 31st March-more detail to follow. And hope to get an event orgnasised for Castlederg...The big sponsorship campaign will be attacked after Ash Wednesday...for now that's enough to contend with.

I'll say adios for now-you all have a great weekend-eat loads, indulge a little cos remember Lent is coming very very soon
Deb

Week 5 and still intact-just! February 2nd, 2012

Hi everyone-wee bit of a lull there since my last blog on 19th Jan-Happy Belated St Brigid's Day-she who is all things hospitable -a lady after my own heart:)
 Well back to running as I suppose that's what this blog is all about-that's all my life is about these days. Do you detect a hint of cynicism?? No- just fatigue at all levels-been a hectic spell at work and trying to fit all this running mullarkey in is leaving me a tad weary. Back to the running summary-it's actually going surprisingly okay...left you two weeks ago and have in that time amassed 49 miles...in various forms between a crazy sprint session there on Tuesday night demanding10 x 400 m with 400 m jog in between-I am convinced I am going to be chosen as a wildcard entry to the Ladies GB 4 x 400m relay in London Olympics....seriously:) -Lord Coe I can make myself available. Survived two long runs of 10mile and last Saturday's longest to date-14 miles....the weather up until today has been miserable:(.  I have to admit I do suffer from SAD-clinical diagnosis by myself-bring back the beach in Borneo and I'll happily run like Forrest Gump all day. Had 5 miler today and knocked 2 mins of my last five milers which was 3 weeks ago-43 minutes for 5 miles-not so bad. Scared and nervous about Saturday's run -another mile added on -15 mile-soon I will be able to leave my TT at home and just run to work from the Derg to Lough Derg. Thankfully body is holding up-few wee niggles in ankle but seems to run itself off-and I am back to see Saint Declan on Monday just to keep on top of things.
The running has taken my mind off an awful fortnight of footie for Man U-two weeks and two cups gone..but nice to see us top of the table again-and I am off to Old Trafford next weekend-somehow have to fit a 17 miler in before I head for the flight-now that is just cruel but as long as Man U silence the whining pines of Liverpool I'll be one happy fan!
For any of you following my blog-why don't you come along to the Island on 22nd Feb-an open day of friendship for everyone...bring your sponsorship pennies with you...on that note-I know it's been a fornight and I was aiming for €1200 a week but I am proud as punch to announce the fund is now up to €3900-a further €1100 than the last total so maybe some kind mystery donor will make a donation of €100 tonight on reading this to make my week and bring it up to a nice round €4000 for the month of Jan! Go on ...you know you want to.

Well folks-its been a long day here at the office and a five mile run for my lunch so I'll say cheerio for now and wish me luck for TBO on Saturday (The Big One)...until next time

Week 3-Still hanging in there-January 19th, 2012

Hi everyone-weekly blog a wee bit late this week-it's been hectic at work-season plans, budgets, staff reviews-fun, fun, fun!  Running is actually proving a nice distraction from all that serious stuff. Where did I leave you last week-that's right it was last Tuesday -sprint day-surpisingly the longer sprint of 1200 m was better than the 400m-this one's a real mental challenge as you gear up in between each sprint...but the G3 pitch at Castlederg High School is fantastic-pity i couldn't run the whole marathon on this type of surface-it's how I imagine the Moon would feel-really airy and spongey-good for these aging limbs:) The dreaded Thursday tempo run -out the Lough Derg run -five miles was better than the 3 miler the previous week-think the road is better-less hilly and one I know only too well. As I recounted last week, Saturday's long run had to be postponed due to 'christmas' festivites for Lough Derg staff on friday night-good wee nite-but long run was never going to happen on Saturday-purely for reasons of tiredness! What do you mean you don't believe me??? Anyway Sunday's 13 miler-a half marathon was completed in 2hr 8 minutes-jeez that's a long time to be out on the road-Maureen who works with me had heard about my crash and burn the previous long run when my bdy just sagged after it-her sister Rosaleen does lots of running and so I got a lovely 'care' package in the post on Friday from Rosaleen-with all sorts of advice, and some gel packets. Tried one of these at the half way point of the run and it seemed to help-felt much more myself after the run and got some food in me as soon as I came home-all a learning curve to see what your old body needs. Monday gym followed by wee session with my physio-Saint Declan as I call him (no blasphemy intended but this guy really did miraculous work on an ankle that was totally wrecked) was glad to see me-just a wee precautionary session to keep legs limber. He reckons I should be aiming for 4hrs-I laughed and reiterated that the aim is to get around this thing-intact! Deb of Old with her very competitive nature would not have been content unless she was on Paula Radcliffe's tail:)  Now I am happy to finish healthy. The wisdom of age....boring eh? Tuesday's sprint session demanded 800m over and over again....strangely my last one the quickest of all...today I have the Thursday Tempo run-a short run of  7 miles at lunchtime-yes 7 miles-I really must double check the programme -that sounds way too long! And as weekend looms-I have a ten miler to do on Saturday morning but looking forward to wee weekend then in Westport! And the best blog news of all-I predicted an average of €1200 a week to make my €20,000 target-well I am up to €2800-brought in an extra €1200 this week. Thank you so much to all those pilgrims who have sent donations and kind words. Friends and family...watch out-I'll be chasing you soon-and all this sprint training means I WILL  catch you:) Have a great weekend..until next time; keep healthy

Week 2 of 16 on this crazy journey-January 10th 2012

Hi everyone, evidence that I survived Saturday's long run is right here in front of you in the form of my blog-what do you mean someone else could be posting it...no it's me in the flesh-well me, on the keyboard. Saturday's 12 miler done and dusted....hang on not so quick, I want, no I need, more than one line to recap that ardourous trek-time escaped me during the week,  and so I didn't find a different route than the last Saturday's ten miler-so off I went last Saturday up the Kilclean road-again-and all the hard bits from previous week were once again difficult (that first three miles is not for me...what to do on that one??? Answers on a postcard to 'SheWhoHatesFirstThreeMiles', Lough Derg, Pettigo, Ireland) -anyway reaching the six mile turnaround point was not awful-unfortunately Roads Services must have tilted the road to about a 30 degree angle for the return 6-7mile-tough, tough, tough-huge thank you to, I think, Pilgrim and Local Gerl, Jo Lynch, who beeped her horn like a mad woman while I was on my 6-7 mile return journey-really spurred me on (momentarily) but was sure she'd have turned the car around and cheered me on the whole way home-but I guess she was going shopping to McElhinneys on a Saturday morning. The rest of the return wasn't too bad-stupidly brought a little hand-held water carrier with me on this run filled wtht diluting orange juice in it-no no no-not to be recommended. Got home 110 minutes after I left-glad to be done-that's a massive understatement but there's so many superlatives and there's 14 weeks to go-no doubt tougher weeks so we'll save them! Home and stretched I then hit a massive low...energy sources were depleted-two little bananas for breakfast just didn't cut it-was now 2pm and couldn't eat anything-not feeling too hot at all:(  Have in meantime read up a little on nutrition and as a Veggie Runner (no wisecracks please) I'll need to watch this one carefully-get in the right balance of carbs etc-there's a minefield of opinions out there-but will try and at least get some kind of sports drink for this week's long run of 13 miles and see how I hold up. One massive mercy in it all-ankle holding up okay. Last week's 3 miler on Thursday  was not pleasant -left me feeling quite disheartened but few friends have since advised me not to worry too much on this one. Hit the gym last night for spot of cross training-how enjoyable-seriously just be doing my normal routines of cross trainer and bit of weights-I can see Mondays being my new favourite day of the week. Today, Tuesday is sprint day-thankfully no hailstones-but the laps today demand 1200 metres-4 times...yikes! Bring it on.....Thursday's 'tempo' run -still not really grasping that principle, is 5 miles so will be running out the Lough Derg road from office at lunch time-and thankfully have found a new route for the long weekend run which takes me up to 13 miles (half way there). Might not happen until Sunday however as we have our 'Christmas' staff dinner on Friday night-enough said! Another few-yes only a few, donations this week but up to a fantastic €1600 approx-only need to average €1200 or so a week to make my target of €20,000. Words of support or advice.....or indeed any words, funny words, silly words, kind words really are making a difference. Until next week...

Happy New Year-5th January, 2012

Hi everyone, hopefully you all had a happy and healthy Christmas and unlike last year managed to leave the confines of your house and get out and about visiting friends and family. Well I guess I should talk about marathons-not Santa and mince pies:) -however good both may be! Kind of had a eureka moment on 30th January-well more like a panic attack thinking as we neared the end of 2011 that 22nd April was fast approaching. Got out my new toy-iPad and frantically started googling 16 week marathon training programmes-I had pretty much written off my earlier efforts in Sept, Oct as purely base training what with the little injury to my foot and chest infection setbacks-so starting afresh-clean slate and all that. Thankfully found a programme which I hope will do the business-that is if I adhere to it. However as I was transcribing it from screen to notebook-suddenly dawned on me that it started the very next day-New Year's Eve-how cruel is that-worse again it started with a ten mile run.....however I thought now or never and the chosen hydration methods over the festive season (not lucozade or water) would have to suffer sooner or later. So wrapped up I headed off on Saturday morning last-managed the ten miles in a respectable 90 minutes. Ankle etc all held up well. The programme consists of: Tuesday speed training, Thursday tempo run (short fastish one) and Saturday long run with a day or two of cross training in between so I'll do the gym one day and maybe bike or just give Thor, a very vigourous walk. Now people when did you last sprint?? For me it was at uni-not today or yesterday-I thought in my naivety that because the speed session is short it would be a breeze-well there was a breeze -more like a gale force wind this Tuesday and battering hailstones-400metres -sounds okay-but 8 of them-tough tough session. It changes each week and I don't even want to remind myself what next Tuesday's builds too. Today I have the short fast run of 3 miles only-should beo kay if the weather would just settle a bit-so that's what I'll be doing for my lunch break-at least there is light-I am realising now the Dublin Marathon might have been an easier race given that you are at least training in 'summer' months-well irish summer! Anyway no point dwelling on that. This Saturday's long run calls for 12 miles-tired at tht thought of it-but will do a wee drive around tomorrow to find pleasant flattish route and try and enjoy the peace and quiet-who am I fooling?? Thankfully spurred on my a few more donations -approximately €1200 at this stage and will be working on fundraising strategy in February to really try and boost the cause. For now wish me well for Saturday's run-today's should be okay-any words of encouragement-even the odd 'You're mad' will keep me smiling and if you have any training tips etc. would also be much appreciated. Until the next time....Debs