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