Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Saturday, 16 April 2011
TARGET!!
This morning at 09.30am I not only reached my target but surpassed it! As things currently stand I've raised £5,070 for Help the Hospices with more money still to come in. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. xxx
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Marathon Expo
I have just returned from registering at the London Marathon Expo at the Excel Centre. It was an amazingly efficent process to get my timing chip and race number but unfortunately that left a lot of time for mum and I to go wondering around the endless stalls! I managed to walk out less than 2 hours later with a special icing device that featured on Dragon's Den (!), a London Marathon jacket and, most importantly, a Garmin! For those of you less geeky bloggers out there, a Garmin is a running watch which monitors your pace and distance. It also has in-built GPS so you can connect to the Garmin website afterwards and upload all the data from your run. I went for the basic range and they vary greatly (up to £600!!) but I got a great 'marathon special' deal so am chuffed with it. I will be wearing it on Sunday so keep a look out for my blog on Monday where I'll be embedding all my Garmin data from my 26.2 miles for the world to see.
I haven't done quite as much running this week as I would have liked - last complete run on Tuesday. This was due to Excel visits today and a sports massage last night. Combined with starting my new role in a very busy department at work I've been working more on my eating and sleeping, although from what people tell this is better than overdoing it in your final week.
I am now tantalisingly close to my £5000 target but I'm not asking for any more sponsorship here. Instead I would like to thank everyone for their wonderfully kind words that I have been getting over the last few days. A couple of emails have even brought a tear to my eye and are all the motivation I now need to get through on Sunday.
I will be blogging again on Saturday. xxxxx
I haven't done quite as much running this week as I would have liked - last complete run on Tuesday. This was due to Excel visits today and a sports massage last night. Combined with starting my new role in a very busy department at work I've been working more on my eating and sleeping, although from what people tell this is better than overdoing it in your final week.
I am now tantalisingly close to my £5000 target but I'm not asking for any more sponsorship here. Instead I would like to thank everyone for their wonderfully kind words that I have been getting over the last few days. A couple of emails have even brought a tear to my eye and are all the motivation I now need to get through on Sunday.
I will be blogging again on Saturday. xxxxx
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Race Day Details
Dear all,
With one week to go, I've now sent the last dreaded begging email. This week I'll continue to blog, letting you know how I'm getting on with the build up to the big race next Sunday. A few of you have been asking about coming along to support so I just thought I'd include some info here. From what I've been told, knowing you have supporters there makes a world of difference do let me know if you're planning to be there and roughly where you'll be.
I will be setting off at 9.45am from Blackheath and am hoping to run 10 minute miles which should give you a rough indication of where I'll be and when but congestion at the beginning and potential for a heatwave (!) could shift these timings somewhat. I've attached the London Marathon spectator guide below which includes quite a good map.
Mum, Dad, Jacko and Becky will be covering the 4 Help the Hospices cheer points:
- Greenwich at 6.5 miles (approx 10.50am)
- Tower Bridge at 12.5 miles (approx 11.50am)
- Canary Wharf at 19 miles (approx 1pm)
- Embankment at 25 miles (approx 2pm)
Help the Hospices have a post race meet point at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on Broad Sanctuary, just off Parliament Square, which friends and family can come to any time from midday. I reckon, all being well, I should be there by 3pm.
If it continues to stay mild I will be running in black and white shorts and a black and white t-shirt with a bright yellow Help the Hospices vest over the top. Keep your eyes peeled!
For contact on the day:
Dad's mobile: 07768 338 428
Jacko's mobile: 07941 727 661
My mobile: 07525 359 130
Once again thank you for your continued support and for any more last minute donations:
Bye for now... x
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
Race weekend
Hi everyone,
This weekend I took part in the Human Race Breakfast Run in Kingston. It was a 16-mile, 2-loop circuit starting in Kingston Market Square before heading along the river to Hampton Court, down to Esher and back along the other side of the Thames. The early start was a bit of a struggle (we had to be in Kingston at 7.30. I guess the clue was in the word 'breakfast'!) but the weather was kind to us and I really enjoyed myself. I was able to run fairly significant negative splits (running a second half race that's quicker than the first), completing the first 8 miles in 1hr20, my marathon pace, and the second 8 miles in 1hr5. Jacko met me at the half way point armed with Lucozade gels and words of encouragement and I treated us both to brunch afterwards in the Bentalls Centre. I came eighth in my category (female 18-24), which sounds impressive unless there were 8 people in my group - I choose not to find out! My confidence has been really boosted by the successful race and I'm now very excited about the marathon.
Next weekend will be the final Long Run. Maybe 22 miles but I will wait and see how my knees feel before I decide.
The fundraising is going amazingly well. I can't believe how generous everyone has been. I'm just shy now of £3000 so if anyone reading this is yet to sponsor me and would like to make it a nice round figure then please do!
I would also like to draw everyone's attention to the amazing video made for St Richard's Hospice which is posted on this blog and on my Just Giving page. It has recently won a Gold Award for the 2011 International Communication Visuals Association and if you watch it I think you'll understand why
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exnXT7ZC5pM
More to follow soon. Lots of love xxx
This weekend I took part in the Human Race Breakfast Run in Kingston. It was a 16-mile, 2-loop circuit starting in Kingston Market Square before heading along the river to Hampton Court, down to Esher and back along the other side of the Thames. The early start was a bit of a struggle (we had to be in Kingston at 7.30. I guess the clue was in the word 'breakfast'!) but the weather was kind to us and I really enjoyed myself. I was able to run fairly significant negative splits (running a second half race that's quicker than the first), completing the first 8 miles in 1hr20, my marathon pace, and the second 8 miles in 1hr5. Jacko met me at the half way point armed with Lucozade gels and words of encouragement and I treated us both to brunch afterwards in the Bentalls Centre. I came eighth in my category (female 18-24), which sounds impressive unless there were 8 people in my group - I choose not to find out! My confidence has been really boosted by the successful race and I'm now very excited about the marathon.
Next weekend will be the final Long Run. Maybe 22 miles but I will wait and see how my knees feel before I decide.
The fundraising is going amazingly well. I can't believe how generous everyone has been. I'm just shy now of £3000 so if anyone reading this is yet to sponsor me and would like to make it a nice round figure then please do!
I would also like to draw everyone's attention to the amazing video made for St Richard's Hospice which is posted on this blog and on my Just Giving page. It has recently won a Gold Award for the 2011 International Communication Visuals Association and if you watch it I think you'll understand why
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exnXT7ZC5pM
More to follow soon. Lots of love xxx
Sunday, 20 March 2011
One month today....
Hi Everyone,
As I write this I'm trying to imagine how I'll be feeling this time in 1 month....Elated? Relieved? In agony?!
I made it round 20 miles of Dorset countryside this weekend and although it was quite a struggle from mile 15 onwards there was certainly less blood, sweat and tears than last weeks excruciating 18-miler. I've downloaded Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall onto my ipod, which is 8 solid hours of Cromwellian drama. It was good company for about 2 of the 3.5 hours but when things got tough Henry VIII was quickly replaced by uplifting, cheesy pop!
The rest of my weekend was much more relaxing. I had 7 friends down in Dorset and we spent a lot of time lounging outside in gloriously warm spring sunshine before drowning our sorrows after a dismal England performance against Ireland on Saturday evening. Nutrition consisted of a very sticky chocolate cake, After Eight cheesecake, beef brisket and all you can eat carvery today - the diet of heroes.
Next weekend I'm running the 16 mile Kingston Breakfast Run. I'm not going to compete seriously because now is not the time to be overdoing things but I will be using it as good practice for race day. What to eat and drink and when. How to run with large crowds etc. I'll send an update next Sunday evening to let you know how I get on.
Lots of love xxx
As I write this I'm trying to imagine how I'll be feeling this time in 1 month....Elated? Relieved? In agony?!
I made it round 20 miles of Dorset countryside this weekend and although it was quite a struggle from mile 15 onwards there was certainly less blood, sweat and tears than last weeks excruciating 18-miler. I've downloaded Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall onto my ipod, which is 8 solid hours of Cromwellian drama. It was good company for about 2 of the 3.5 hours but when things got tough Henry VIII was quickly replaced by uplifting, cheesy pop!
The rest of my weekend was much more relaxing. I had 7 friends down in Dorset and we spent a lot of time lounging outside in gloriously warm spring sunshine before drowning our sorrows after a dismal England performance against Ireland on Saturday evening. Nutrition consisted of a very sticky chocolate cake, After Eight cheesecake, beef brisket and all you can eat carvery today - the diet of heroes.
Next weekend I'm running the 16 mile Kingston Breakfast Run. I'm not going to compete seriously because now is not the time to be overdoing things but I will be using it as good practice for race day. What to eat and drink and when. How to run with large crowds etc. I'll send an update next Sunday evening to let you know how I get on.
Lots of love xxx
Sunday, 13 March 2011
5 weeks to go!
Hi Everyone,
Firstly, a quick update on my fundraising...
I have currently raised £1,956 on my Just Giving page with a further £300 in cheques taking my total to an impressive £2,256! I've been amazed at how generous people have been, particularly as it has not just been my nearest and dearest who I have approached. I had pledged not to single out an sponsors individually however I feel I have to mention David Gabbay, who sponsored me £500 two weeks ago. His generosity has not only been a huge financial boost to my fundraising effort but also a real motivational boost for my training. Thank you David.
I ran 18 miles this weekend which proved to be a huge jump up from last week's 16 miler. I was blessed with beautiful spring weather as I headed around Richmond Park with a friend from GSK however from Hammersmith Bridge back to Kew I really began to suffer. Leaden legs and a mysterious sore toe made the last 4 miles seem endless. On removing my trainers I discovered that my sock was soaked through with blood from a cut on my third toe. As I said on my facebook page, if that kind of dedication doesn't make people want to sponsor me nothing will!'. A day of pancakes and lounging around today has prepared me for another week of training and I am embarking on a 20miler around the hills of Dorset next weekend - wish me luck!
The weekend after next I'm taking part in the Kingston Breakfast Run, a 16 mile race to help me begin some race-day preparations for the marathon. I'm not planning on 'racing' but merely using it as a warm up for the big event and a way of reminding myself what it feels like to run with a crowd.
I have a special mention this week...My Uncle Mike had a hip replacement operation last week. Like me, he is a keen runner but, unlike me, is a serious athlete! He is passionate about running and riding his bike around the hills of Italy where he lives and I know that lying still is something he finds incredibly frustrating. The good news is that the operation has been a huge success and he is already up and about. Thinking of you Uncle Mike!
I think that's all I have for this week. As race day draws closer I plan on updating my blog more frequently so keep an eye out.
www.justgiving.com/hannah-musgrave
Lots of love xxxxx
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Has Spring Sprung?
Hi Everyone,
You may have noticed that my blog has had a bit of a makeover. This was in light of two things:
1) I'm really starting to feel that spring is in the air and that my page needed pepping up to reflect this.
2) Ros Sweeting (friend, marathon supporter and fellow blogger - http://www.kewgreenbooks.blogspot.com/) had a much prettier blog than I did and it shamed me into making a bit more of an effort!
But don't be fooled by all this positivity; February has not been a good running month...
When I last left you Mum and I were off to Prague and we had an amazing long weekend in the beautiful, icy city. I didn't get any running in when we were there but we walked miles over the 3 days, although I'm not sure the twice-daily gluwein and dumplings are the most nutrious choice for a runner! On my return I developed quite a nasty cold (serves me right for gloating about my good health all winter) which made any running I did very hard work to such an extent that my legs completely packed in half way up Richmond Hill and I went crashing into the middle of the road. Grazed and bruised (ego and knees) I hauled myself home feeling quite sorry for myself. Unfortunately since then I've been battling with my knees, although the physio is more or less convinced that it is due to the classic 'runner's knee' rather than anything related to my tumble. These days, around mile 5, my left knee starts to ache. Not enough to stop me running but enough to make me hobble for the two days following a Long Run. I am looking at renewing my trainers and also doing LOTS MORE STRETCHING!
My saving grace came this weekend in the form of a 12 mile run through the stunning Dorset countryside with Derek Sweeting for company. Derek has a Special Forces past and as a result was not phased by the sometimes alarming undulations of the valley around Hilton. We fuelled our 2 hour run with Kendal Mint Cake and lots of chat. I felt strong again, and despite painful knees, think that I have re-fallen in love with my training. 14 miles this weekend.
I also want to mention another 'athlete' this week. Jacko (the boyfriend at Sandhurst) took part in an infamous Exercise called Long Reach. He and 7 others from his Platoon competed against 36 other groups in a 65km race through the Black Mountains. 4 hours of sleep, numerous badly infected blisters and unmentionable chafing, 9 command tasks completed and 30 hours of more or less continous walking/running up and down mountains, they were successful and came in 4th over all. Congratulations Jacko!
As always thank you for your continued support and unbelievably generous sponsership (www.justgiving.com/hannah-musgrave)
Lots of love xx
You may have noticed that my blog has had a bit of a makeover. This was in light of two things:
1) I'm really starting to feel that spring is in the air and that my page needed pepping up to reflect this.
2) Ros Sweeting (friend, marathon supporter and fellow blogger - http://www.kewgreenbooks.blogspot.com/) had a much prettier blog than I did and it shamed me into making a bit more of an effort!
But don't be fooled by all this positivity; February has not been a good running month...
When I last left you Mum and I were off to Prague and we had an amazing long weekend in the beautiful, icy city. I didn't get any running in when we were there but we walked miles over the 3 days, although I'm not sure the twice-daily gluwein and dumplings are the most nutrious choice for a runner! On my return I developed quite a nasty cold (serves me right for gloating about my good health all winter) which made any running I did very hard work to such an extent that my legs completely packed in half way up Richmond Hill and I went crashing into the middle of the road. Grazed and bruised (ego and knees) I hauled myself home feeling quite sorry for myself. Unfortunately since then I've been battling with my knees, although the physio is more or less convinced that it is due to the classic 'runner's knee' rather than anything related to my tumble. These days, around mile 5, my left knee starts to ache. Not enough to stop me running but enough to make me hobble for the two days following a Long Run. I am looking at renewing my trainers and also doing LOTS MORE STRETCHING!
My saving grace came this weekend in the form of a 12 mile run through the stunning Dorset countryside with Derek Sweeting for company. Derek has a Special Forces past and as a result was not phased by the sometimes alarming undulations of the valley around Hilton. We fuelled our 2 hour run with Kendal Mint Cake and lots of chat. I felt strong again, and despite painful knees, think that I have re-fallen in love with my training. 14 miles this weekend.
I also want to mention another 'athlete' this week. Jacko (the boyfriend at Sandhurst) took part in an infamous Exercise called Long Reach. He and 7 others from his Platoon competed against 36 other groups in a 65km race through the Black Mountains. 4 hours of sleep, numerous badly infected blisters and unmentionable chafing, 9 command tasks completed and 30 hours of more or less continous walking/running up and down mountains, they were successful and came in 4th over all. Congratulations Jacko!
As always thank you for your continued support and unbelievably generous sponsership (www.justgiving.com/hannah-musgrave)
Lots of love xx
Friday, 28 January 2011
January update - hello new followers!
Hi everyone,
I am off to Prague with mum this weekend for a girls 'anti-january blues' trip (!) so I thought before I left I would send a quick hello to my new followers and readers. As you will have realised I made a little push this week for more fundraising and as a result might have another 50 people potentially reading this post. I also want to thank everybody who has sponsored me so far - I have been overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, particularly so soon after Christmas.
My training has picked up well since my December Turkey slump. I almost back up to where I was at the end of November and last weekend I took on a very hilly 1.5hour run around the beautiful Dorset countryside. I was quite pleased with my effort until we went for a walk with Meg and Jasper (the lovely golden labrador who looks after our friends, the Fowlers) and realised that the 2 dogs were covering a similar distance but at the ages of 73 and 105 respectively!
This week I mixed up my training a little and attended a session at Wimbledon Athletics track run by my personal trainer friend, Sam Village. I was one of 2 girls in a group of 10 taking part and any ideas I had about being fit soon went out the window as Sam put us through our paces: 4 x 400m Warm Up, 12 minutes at maximum effort in order that we could measure our VO2 Max scores and finally a relay of 7x300m 'sprints', jogging 100m in between each one. For those who don't know, VO2 max is effectively a measurement of lung capacity and efficacy. It is largely dependent on body mass and genetics but fitness does play an important role. Turns out I fall under the 'superior' category on the Joe Public scale which I was quite pleased with until I saw the measurements of the professional athletes! For anyone training or looking to keep fit I would recommend one of Sam's sessions. Send me a message if you're interested and I will put you in touch with him.
I am doing my Long Runs at the weekend and am always looking for company if anyone is interested in running with me or coming on a bike. I run very slowly for around 2 hours (building from that over the coming weekends) along the towpath or around Richmond Park. On Saturday the 5th Feb I will be doing a towpath/richmond park combo if anyone has a spare couple hours and preferably some interesting gossip to distract me with!
Thank you again to all of you have supported me and Help the Hospices.
Love Hannah x
I am off to Prague with mum this weekend for a girls 'anti-january blues' trip (!) so I thought before I left I would send a quick hello to my new followers and readers. As you will have realised I made a little push this week for more fundraising and as a result might have another 50 people potentially reading this post. I also want to thank everybody who has sponsored me so far - I have been overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, particularly so soon after Christmas.
My training has picked up well since my December Turkey slump. I almost back up to where I was at the end of November and last weekend I took on a very hilly 1.5hour run around the beautiful Dorset countryside. I was quite pleased with my effort until we went for a walk with Meg and Jasper (the lovely golden labrador who looks after our friends, the Fowlers) and realised that the 2 dogs were covering a similar distance but at the ages of 73 and 105 respectively!
This week I mixed up my training a little and attended a session at Wimbledon Athletics track run by my personal trainer friend, Sam Village. I was one of 2 girls in a group of 10 taking part and any ideas I had about being fit soon went out the window as Sam put us through our paces: 4 x 400m Warm Up, 12 minutes at maximum effort in order that we could measure our VO2 Max scores and finally a relay of 7x300m 'sprints', jogging 100m in between each one. For those who don't know, VO2 max is effectively a measurement of lung capacity and efficacy. It is largely dependent on body mass and genetics but fitness does play an important role. Turns out I fall under the 'superior' category on the Joe Public scale which I was quite pleased with until I saw the measurements of the professional athletes! For anyone training or looking to keep fit I would recommend one of Sam's sessions. Send me a message if you're interested and I will put you in touch with him.
I am doing my Long Runs at the weekend and am always looking for company if anyone is interested in running with me or coming on a bike. I run very slowly for around 2 hours (building from that over the coming weekends) along the towpath or around Richmond Park. On Saturday the 5th Feb I will be doing a towpath/richmond park combo if anyone has a spare couple hours and preferably some interesting gossip to distract me with!
Thank you again to all of you have supported me and Help the Hospices.
Love Hannah x
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