Virgin London Marathon 2013 - LJS Foundation

[5minstogo]

Hello and a Happy New Year to you all.  Some of you will know I was lucky enough to get a place at this years London Marathon.  Over Christmas I started the training and have still managed to put on a few pounds but now is where the hard work really starts.

To give you some background, I've only been running for about 18 months.  18 months ago I was quite overweight in a job I hated and trying to keep up with a six month old baby boy.  I started running to try and get fit but it was so hard, I couldn't make it to the end of the road without being out of breath and I'd ache for days afterwards.  So many times I nearly stopped but the weight was starting to drop off and I was feeling so much better about everything.  I was capable of running 5k after about 10 weeks, which was an achievement I was so proud of.  I struggled to add any distance to this in the next few months and started to find excuses not to run. 

Around this time we got the news that Billy Sharp and his partner Jade had lost their little boy Louis who was only a few days old.  I'm not a sentimental type or one for public exclamations of emotion but this really got me, probably as my little boy had just turned one and you always think "what if".  As we know Billy pulled on the red and white stripes and played a blinder and yes I did have a tear in my eye when he scored the goal and revealed the t-shirt.  He had made Louis proud.

I used this as a shake- up and set a goal to run 10k, then once I had done that I wanted to run half a marathon.  Now I've done that I want to run a marathon and I want to give something back to Billy and Jade for their inspiration.   There must have been many times when they wanted to give up but they didn't and now they are doing great work increasing awareness of Gastroschisis.

So I've teamed up with LJS Foundation and at the moment I'm their only runner for the event so I want to do as much as I can to raise money for the charity.  I know at least one forum member has experience of Gastroschisis and it is a much more common condition than you would think and still no real explanation of what causes it.

If you can throw a couple of quid into the pot, every little helps.  I know it's the wrong time of year to send a begging letter but there is plenty of time if you can donate nearer to April.

I'll be updating Twitter www.twitter.com@Gazz_Long with updates on my training etc. so feel free to follow me to see what I've been up to.

I've also set up a blog with some semi-interesting bits and pieces thrown in. http://www.realbuzz.com/blogs/u/gazz_long/fitter-not-fatter/

If you can donate please visit  www.justgiving.com/gaz-long

Or you can text GAZL99 £1/£2/£5 to 70070

If anyone is interested in running and wants to join me for a training run or is interested in how to get started feel free to contact me.

And finally.........

I'm on the lookout for a Rovers top with Sharp on the back that I can wear underneath my LJS vest on the day.  Can anyone help?

Thanks a lot.

Gary.

[dumbroofer]

well done for backing the LJS foundation stick me down for a tenner. lets hope a good few of these good chaps back you on your run.  dumbroofer

[dumbroofer]

well done for backing the LJS foundation stick me down for a tenner. lets hope a good few of these good chaps back you on your run.  dumbroofer

 

just done by text so simple even i could do it

[5minstogo]

Thanks Dumbroofer it must be simple if even you can do it 

[Pintolager]

Also donated some money to the cause - £10.

Good luck to you fella

[Jenny]

Good luck Gary!!

I am doing the Brighton Marathon for Martin House, I've slacked off so much recently, but really need to start sticking to the training plan now and absolutely bricking it.

Keep us updated on how you are getting on!

[5minstogo]

Thanks folks I'm off to a good start with both training and fundraising.

I've got four runs planned this week but my new running shoes have arrived so I'm looking forward to trying them out.
If anyone owns/manages a local company I'd be happy to run my training miles in a branded t-shirt for a bit of advertising while I'm out and about, for a small donation to the cause of course ;-)

[5minstogo]

A shameless bump up the page.

Thanks for your support so far 

[RobTheRover]

I'm doing the Great North Run this year to raise funds for NSPCC.  I started running last week, and have only done a mile twice so far.  Coughed a lung up when I got home both times. 

I was hoping to get out tonight, but the snow might scupper that.

I'll donate a tenner to you too, Gaz.

[5minstogo]

Thanks Rob, I noticed on Twitter you were running GNR, it was one I had planned to do had I not got into London.

If you fancy a plod anytime, give me a shout and thanks for the donation.

[Jenny]

I'm doing the Great North Run this year to raise funds for NSPCC.  I started running last week, and have only done a mile twice so far.  Coughed a lung up when I got home both times. 

I was hoping to get out tonight, but the snow might scupper that.

I'll donate a tenner to you too, Gaz.

GNR is ace - the support is fantastic, especially once you get into Shields. I had tears in my eyes for the whole time, and it was nothing to do with running it with a fractured arm/elbow...

Hoping to get a ballot place this year - don't like the pressure of charity places!

[CusworthRovers]

I'm also in GNR after years of trying. I've got in via the Mirror ballot (its actually a Friends who has given it to me, so technically I've still not managed to get in)
The actual Race Ballot is still open until Feb 5th 'ish. If I get in via that I will have 2 entries, if anybody wants to buy one

[5minstogo]

A quick update for you, I've now managed to raise £148.20 as of this morning.  A great amount so far so thanks to everyone that has donated.

Last weeks training race, Brass Monkey in York was cancelled due to the weather.  I still went out and ran 14.6 miles, the furthest I've ever done.

I'm hoping to arrange a charity bootcamp to take place in a couple of weeks.  I'll keep all you fitness enthusiasts in the loop!

Thanks again.

www.justgiving.com/gaz-long

or text GAZL99 £1 to 70070

[5minstogo]

Thanks to those that have donated so far, if anyone can spare a few quid please follow the links and donate.

Training is still on track and after a partial lactate test at Blizard Physiotherapy in Bircotes I've now got a better idea of an achieveable pace for the actual day.

Less than 11 weeks and 26.2 miles still seems quite a long way to run in one go, my legs already feel like cocktail sticks most of the time!

[DaveDRFC]

What kind of pace have you decided on? I'm really struggling with my training at the moment, I'm on a big come-down after Florida and don't seem to have any motivation. Thing is I've done 3 marathons now so I know I can get round, but I don't really think I do myself justice over the longer distance when you compare my times to what I can do a 10k or a half in. It's just such a bloody long way!!

[5minstogo]

I couldn't possibly say in public as I'm running a sweepstake nearer the time to guess my finish time!  Surely with experience you just try to do better than before?

I'm still hoping I get round at all!

[5minstogo]

Just a little update, I'm still on plan and have run over 225 miles since 1 January as well as numerous gym sessions.

My longest run to date has been 17 miles and I only plan on doing 3 more further than this before the big day in around 8 weeks.

Ben Rome at DRFC has helped me with some tips on nutrition, training and injury prevention so a big thanks to him.

Last week I ran the Baldock Beast Half Marathon in Hertfordshire.  A multi-terrain fairly hilly race, I managed a Personal Best of 1:41 and I'm hoping I can go a bit better on a flatter course at Silverstone this weekend.

That'll will be me done race wise until the Marathon and with the news Mo Farah is running the first half, as long as I finish I will have beat him in a race.  Not bad for a fatty.

Thanks again to everyone that has donated. There is still plenty of time if you can.  I've also organised a two hour Marathon themed Spinning Class at Xercise4less Doncaster.  If any of you are members and wish to book a place give me a shout.  The £5 fee goes in full to the charity.  24 of the 30 places are already sold out!  2-4pm 23 March.

www.justgiving.com/gaz-long

Text GAZL99 £1/£2/£5/£10 to 70070

[Jenny]

Reading your blog is very inspirational!!

With 6 weeks to go I am absolutely bricking it for Brighton and feel so unprepared - I know I can do the distance, but realisation has really set in and im scared I am going to fail!

[5minstogo]

Thanks Jenny, I didn't think anyone actually read it!

Thanks for the donation too.  6 weeks is still plenty of time to get some confidence runs in.  You'll be absolutely fine.

[5minstogo]

Less than 5 weeks to go now and I'm still on track. 

Did Silverstone Half a few weeks ago in 1:37.  One more long run of 21 miles before the big day but plenty of shorter runs to keep the legs ticking over.

Thanks to those of you who have donated to the charity.  If anyone else can please do.

My charity spin at Xercise4less is this weekend and has sold out.  I'm normally quote knackered after an hour spinning so who knows what 2 hours will do to me!

www.justgiving.com/gaz-long

Text GAZL99 £1/£2/£5/£10 to 70070 to donate.

[5minstogo]

Hello everyone, just another quick update as the countdown to Sunday has well and truly started.

With the awful events of the Boston Marathon its even more important for me to get to the end of the 26.2 miles on Sunday.

With the charity spin class going so well I've now raised nearly £600 for the Luey Jacob Sharp Foundation. 

If anyone can spare a few quid, please chuck it towards this web address www.justgiving.com/gaz-long or text GAZL99 £2/£5/£10 to 70070.

I did a brief interview with Yorkshire Radio today so if anyone listens to that you may hear me over the next few days.

Thanks for all the support I've received on here.

[Mike_F]

Another tenner with you now mate. Good luck!

[Jenny]

Good luck on Sunday!

Prepare to be emotional!