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......