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

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

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