Flora London Marathon Fund
Total donated: £2,556.06
*******MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 24/07/09*********
Before the end of May I am going to complete 5 x 20 mile sessions on the exercise bike (100 miles).
1st 20 mile session completed 11/5/09 - 57 minutes
2nd 20 mile session completed 13/5/09 - 62 minutes
3rd 20 mile session completed 18/5/09 - 59 minutes
4th 20 mile session completed 20/5/09 - 61 minutes
5th 20 mile session completed 26/5/09 - 56 minutes
During June I will complete 10 x 1 mile swims of my local pool (10 x 64 lengths).
1st 1 mile swim completed 27/5/09 - 47 minutes
2nd 1 mile swim completed 30/05/09 - 43 minutes
3rd 1 mile swim completed 02/06/09 - 42 minutes
4th 1 mile swim completed 09/06/09 - 44 minutes
5th 1 mile swim completed 15/06/09 - 46 minutes
6th 1 mile swim completed 22/06/09 - 45 minutes
7th 1 mile swim completed 27/06/09 - 48 minutes
8th 1 mile swim completed 14/07/09 - 46 minutes
9th 1 mile swim completed 21/07/09 - 43 minutes
10th mile swim completed 24/07/09 - 42 minutes.
THE MARATHON STORY
On 26th April I lined up with 35,000 runners to undertake the challenge that is The London Marathon. After promising light showers to heavy showers all week I rolled up to the start to find a lovely warm spring morning waiting. It would have been lovely had I not had the prospect of the 26.2 mile run in front of me.
After 3 cups of tea 2 bottles of water and 3 bottles of Lucozade. I was bursting but then dismayed to fine I faced the prospect of a twenty minute queue to the toilets. Thankfully we had the female urinal at hand with hardly any queues. This is a bizarre concept. Armed with a “she-pee” device as seen on dragons den we can do it like the men. The main problem being that as women we are not accustomed to such a routine (and it obviously isn’t quite as fiddly a task for the men). I will spare you from the detail just to say it proved to be a very strange sight and experience.
I was actually right at the back – start gate 9 (not even sure if it goes up to 10). There I was lined up with the 7ft tall Well Child Nurse; the heavily laden donkeys; a telephone with the Samaritans on and, one of my personal favourites, a man wearing a T-shirt that said “Fat Man Running – Designed for eating pies and drinking and not running 26 miles”.
The start of the race 9:45 came and went and we waited, and waited, and waited….gave us time to just nip to the loo again (without the queues)…. and waited. I remember the Geordie commentator saying that “he went into a café with his wife and she asked for a jacket potato and the woman behind the counter said Flora? And his wife hit her” None of us got the joke but he said you would have to ask a Geordie?
Eventually we shuffled down the hill towards the start and we were AWAY…….at a very slow jog. The first mile came and went and someone shouted “almost there” Ha BL***Y Ha. Next the hill – how dare they say the course is flat when it has a hill that size on it.
Several miles went by slowly ( I was saving myself for the sprint at the end!). I gave all of the children high fives as I ran past – mainly to try to sap the energy out of them. I was slightly perturbed to find the 7 foot tall Well Child Nurse sprinting past me at mile 10…thought I would catch her/him later but never did. I sympathised with one of the Wombles at having to run in THAT costume on such a hot day. I don’t know if and when they made it round. Mr Happy (or Mr Tickle or whoever he was) fell over and rolled down the hill a bit and we all helped pick him up. I nearly tripped over the kerb whilst giving more children high fives - much to their amusement. The running nun was doing ok as was the lady fire-fighter running in full uniform. I thankfully managed to pass some of the octogenarians (but possibly not all of them). Someone with Forrest on his T-shirt so everyone shouted “run Forrest run”.
I grabbed a water or a lucozade from each stop. It was so warm out there and running through the showers was such a welcome experience. There was music everywhere, outside the pubs and shops people crowded around shouting support and offering sweets, chocolates, biscuits. The atmosphere was fantastic – thank you the people of London.
At Tower Bridge there is another slight hill but it didn’t seem to matter by then as nothing was going to change my pace from the slow jog I had developed. At 13 miles I found Jordan and Peter Andre (happy to say Jordan was jogging even slower than I was) with Peter running around her in some sort of motivational dance (for which I would have gladly hit him had he been my husband). Sadly I didn’t find my cheering friends Julia and Louise who were too busy discussing Peter’s perma-tan to notice me.
Oh well I carried on for fear that my legs would give in. The cheering for Jordan and Peter spurred me on again. Miles 13-18 were all a bit of a blur – grabbed some food from the kind spectators who had come prepared. I got through a banana, a Kit Kat and a Milky Way. At times I was completely oblivious to where I was on the course – couldn’t remember which mile marker I had crossed and which was to come. Sometimes there was good news when I came to the next one – mile 19 (when I expected mile 18). Sometimes this was the other way round (only mile 22 when I expected 23). By now I had settled with the people that I would finish the race with Batman, Nessie and the man with the canoe (he got a lot of cheers).
My family were waiting at mile 24 and seeing them gave me another boost – I sprinted off with renewed vigour – for all of 50 metres and then it was back to the same old shuffle. Just two miles left – lots of crowds and lots of cheering. By now I think I was convinced I was going to be running forever without end.
I reached the 25 mile mark and ran passed the Tamil protestors at Parliament Square – just one mile left surely this was it and I could finish soon. Birdcage Walk. I ran for a mile and it said 900m to go – ran for another mile and it said 600m and so on (they must be lying - the marathon course is actually 30 miles surely?). Eventually I turned the corner and could see the finish line – surely I can sprint to the end? Well not quite but I made it there anyway with a sort of power walk come wobble come shuffle. The sense of achievement at the end and the relief at actually being able to stop running is beyond description. I am now the very proud owner of two London Marathon medals.
I collected my medal and goody bag and had the photo taken. I walked round to the NSPCC area and found that my finisher’s T-shirt wasn’t in the bag so had to walk all the way back to pick one up. Got through a Mars bar, a milk shake, and everything else with loads of calories in. Who put a bag of slimming crisps in there at only 82 calories – didn’t they know I had just spent about 3000? Picked up my kit bag and put on my flip flops – relief (only about 3 toenails going this time I think).
I walked towards Victoria Station but the queue wasn’t moving so walked all the way back to Westminster (only an extra mile or so) where I managed to get the tube to Tower Hill. Lots of people patted me on the back and congratulated me (I was wearing my medal, my sweaty running kit and my flip flops) I very, very nearly passed out on the tube. Back to Tower Hill and met up with my family and we made the long journey back home where I could eventually soak in a bath and climb into bed.
I take my hat off to those athletes who can run that distance in just over two hours they are brilliant. They are of course born to run though, and surrounded by teams of trainers, coaches and physios. For the real heroes though you need to look a little further back in the field. Those that find running a struggle and have to fit training around a busy schedule of work and everyday family life.
To the man who lost his son to meningitis while last year’s marathon was taking place. He could hardly complete the course through the tears. To the woman that I lined up with, a Heart Runner, wearing a note to say that she was running in memory of her husband who had died aged 40. To the people running for Cancer Research “In memory of mums, dads, sisters, brothers, wives and husbands”. To the soldier, badly injured in Afghanistan and covering the course on crutches at two slow and painful miles a day – in aid of “Help for Heroes”. To one of the small team who has run every London Marathon since the start – this time running whilst waiting for a knee replacement. These are the true heroes.
And why would I put myself through this pain? I was running to raise money for the
NSPCC. I am so tired of hearing the cases like that of Baby P, Victoria Climbie and Sanam Navsarka and all of the other children let down by those who should love them. I want to do all I can to help to put a stop this terrible abuse. When it got tough on Sunday I thought of Baby P crying in his cot with his back broken, little Sanam shut in a cupboard with the breaks in her arms and legs that would eventually kill her and Victoria still trying to smile through her terrible pain and suffering. I knew that the suffering I was enduring was short lived, these little souls knew little else but suffering throughout their short lives.
I am still collecting sponsorship at:
http://nspcc.tributefunds.com/fund/Flora+London+Marathon+Fund/showFund/ or you can call or text me on 07533 185734
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Thank You for Your Sponsorship
Just a note to say thank you for visiting and donating to this fund.
Running this distance is a tough challenge but the suffering on the day is nothing compared to the suffering that too many children face day in and day out.
By supporting the NSPCC we hope to rescue some of these children from their pain.
Corinne
xx
Posted on February 16, 2009
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Thank you so much for doing the run for us Corinne. You did a fantastic job!!
xx
Brilliant effort, well done!
Donated Five pounds well done corinne
well done on your marathon run..dont know how it went yet but you are a star.xx
have sent £5 in tribute to the beautiful little boy who is the inspiration for many people.god bless you baby p.xxx
Corinne - Good luck on the day - keep smiling - hope you complete the course - sponsorship no problem - Steve
Hi Corinne
You are amazing.
Will of course be sponsoring you and will try to get down on the day with wristbands and ribbons etc.
Bloomin marvellous!!!
xxx
I will definitely be sponsoring both of you! I couldn't run a mile so I take my hat off to you!!!!!
Good luck with your training!
xx
A BIG GOOD LUCK to you both. Will sponsor you guys xx
- DonationsDonations
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Wristbands
Money from Wristband sales on Ebay
Tribute Monkeys (Ebay)
£3.49
Wristbands (EBAY and website)
£7.50
made up to £15
Monkey £6 (Ebay)
Wristbands £5
Money from sale of donated ticket for Safari Park
100 Euros donated by Anntoinette Bergam + donation CB for £1 day
Monkey and 2X wristbands
Money from Tribute Pack
You're nearly there, Corinne! Well done and thankyou xxxx
2x Baby P wristbands
Baby P Teddy
Money for Tribute Pack
Well Done!!
How heartbreaking, in this day and age, to think that what kept you going through your own suffering on the day was your determination to make a difference and raise awareness to the horrific abuse and torture which was little Peter's daily existence. I too
Donation for baby P wristbands from Kathleen Battisson
Thank-you xxxx
Wristband sales - 4*£2.50
Trbute Pack - £12
Sorry it is late - I is a idiot and mucked it up before.
But well done!!
Keep going, Corinne!!! xxx
Well done Corrine Bailey!!
£10 from Patti Dearnaley
£2 from Susan Francis.
Many thanks to both xxx
wristband sale
Sponsorship from Health Club members
From Jayne Pearson
hurrah for bonkers Corinne!!!!!
Sponsorship from Nursery
Donation From Sue Waller
Dear Corinne, Congratulations on this fabulous acheivement, done for the most worthy of causes. In loving memory of beautiful Baby Peter xx
I'm not sure if I have donated to you yet!!??
Hope you got the ribbons and they were okay, I have been so busy lately but wanted to apologise for the not so hygenic wrapping!! ie- nappy bag, But don't fret it was un-used!!
xx
Sponsor Money from Bernadette Whelton
With love to Baby P xxx
Sponsor money from Lynne Blair
Here is another £10, Corrine. You did SO well!! xx
Nicholas Lee
Corinne - Just read your marathon story and wanted to add my congratulations. What a magnificent achievement. I admire your spirit - Nicholas
Sponsorship from HealthClub Members
Corinne you are amazing. An inspiration.
Well done Corinne. You're an inspiration!!
Lots of love, Louise & Richard
xx
A donation from Chris Mussard of £10 and £2 from our local Tesco delivery man!
Well done Corrine. You kept on training for a wonderful cause even though you were ill yourself. From someone who can't even run for this bus I'm so impressed with your determination.
Money from the coffee morning - Barbara Lunt
In memory of baby p xx
Well done Corinne Bailey on completing the London Marathon.
Martin Birch
well done
well done corinne
Well Done Corinne !
You are an inspiration to us all! You did an amazing job and I was thinking of you from a far.
God bless Baby P and the suffering children - I hope that one day the world will be a different place for the Children of our future xxx
Collette Berriman
Canada
Well done, and I loved your story, I almost thought I was running too lol... Baby P would be proud x
Well done Corrine :)
Well done, I really admire you for completing the marathon, fantastic job!
Whoops - nearly forgot about this!
Hope it all went well Corinne and that you are able to walk again without too much discomfort !!
Best wishes,
Mick McFeely
Well done!
Well done Corinne!! Think I may have a go next year.
Lots of luck for your big day! Love from Lyn Corrigan XXX
Hi Corinne,
I hope all is well wih you. All the best in the marathon. My new number is 07590024750..Speak to you soon..
Good luck - well done for doing this.
X Adele ( I saw your message on the Baby P forums on facebook)
You go girl - well done xx
Too late to pull out now, good luck!!
Good Luck x
Good luck! Hope it all goes well and you have a great day.
Wristband Sales
Money from Cake sale
Good luck to you both, you're doing it for a very worthwhile cause.
RIP Baby P
Hi, you don't know me but I saw your message on the Baby P facebook group and just wanted to show my support. Sorry it's not more but good luck x
Good luck Corinne!
Nikki x
Have a great time.
Good luck. Thank you for doing this. x
keep up the good work, will be thinking of you every step of the way-ouch.xxx
Good luck with the run! It's tought going, but you are raising money for a great cause. Well done on all your hard work on Facebook too....x
I wish you all the best. You're doing an amazing thing in memory of a beautiful child and for the many more children who are still in need of help. Love. xxx
Hope all goes well on the day
mum and dadxx
Hi Corinne,
Best of luck withe the run, I'll look forward to doing it next year!
Rebekah Simmons
What a fantastic reason to run a marathon. Thinking of why you are doing this will definately give you the strenght to finish x
Best of Luck, I'm sure our Baby P will be watching and wondering what is going on!!!
Good luck hope you manage the full distance!
Sponsor money from Janet Charlton
Good luck to you both. Hope you have a good run! Delia and Alan x
Good luck Corinne. Don't forget the cough mixture!
Good luck, hope the cough will have disappeared.
Good luck to you both!! Enjoy the day, Vicki x
good luck, you truly deserve to finish with pride, will be thinking of you on the day, love from denise xx
Great cause, very impressed by you both !
Good luck Corrine! doing us proud hun!
Donations from
David Hislop £5
J Carolan £5
P Chiverton £5
Callum Charles £2
Helen Jones £10
Robert Stephen Hairdressers £15.50
Joan £3.50
Val and Bryan Adams £5
Kath and Maurice Walker £5
Good Luck
Best of luck on the day!
Good luck!
Carla Stanton - wristbands
I'm very impressed, Corinne - you are one courageous woman!
Wristband and soft toy sales -(Gwen Morrison)
Good luck guys rooting for you - Darren McNeill
Go girl!
I wish we all had as much courage and backbone as you both, I wish you and all the other runners the best of luck. Don’t forget the pickies. Parma
Good Luck, then a big 'well done' in advance (you crazy girls)!! No need for 'Baby P' gift - would rather all the money went to NSPCC. RIP my little darling....still thinking of you every day. xxx
good luck ladies xxx
Kyetil Moen
Money for wristbands
Teddy - Karen Sharkie
Payment and donation from Caroline Usher-Cox for wristbands.
Good luck!
You are a star for doing this for such a worthy cause. Best of luck!
Donation on behalf of Sue Smith
Hi both, don't get too many blisters.
John
Good luck Becky and Corinne
Corinne & Rebekah good luck to you both. Definately a worthwhile cause. I HAVE to get down there and see this!
Monkey sales
Teddy and wristband sales
Teddy and balloon sales 01/03
Good luck!
Best of Luck Corinne - hope the sun shines on you.... XXXXX
Well done Corinne and good luck on the day xxx
Good luck Corinne and Rebekah, 26 miles is a long way
Good luck! Hope you finish it without too much trauma and have a great day
£100 For a fantastic fund. Glen Dent
Good luck with the run. I'll look out for you on TV!
Try and enjoy the day, especially the last 6 miles! Just don't beat my time :-)
All the best of luck Corinne! What a great thing to do for a great course..
Good luck both xxx
Hi Corinne and Rebekah. Keep up the training. good luck for April
Good luck Corinne
Richard Jones.
Corinne, Becky
A really great cause and best of luck.
Kam
One of my favourite charities. Good luck to you both.
Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.