12 weeks to go....

So me and my new tights have started clocking up the miles over the last 2 weeks. Today I was up at 7.30am and I did just over 10k with a snotty nose and a slight limp. I need to hit 10 miles by next Sunday to stay on track for my training plan and I'm planning on doing the Sunday long run with the running club to give me the best chance. It is quite a big jump from 6.5 miles to 10 in just a week, but against all the odds today I still managed to run in the wind while not feeling well, so who knows how 10 miles will go surrounded by other runners.

I also have some new gels for long distance running. As I'm closing in on an hour and a half of running a session, they will be there for those lengthy runs as it gets closer to the date. I also have new running socks, vitamins and some knee support thing as my knee's hurting and giant strawbs as 1 of my 5-a-day! Grapes have replaced the satsumas...

Fundraising is going pretty well, I've got £792.50 in donations including gift aid and it's amazing that I've had donations from so many people, some who barely know me or don't know me at all!

The curry night fundraiser is booked!!!! Everyone is welcome to come, bring your family, friends colleagues and pets, it's on Thursday 29th March (the night before bank holiday Friday) at the Tandoori Parlour in Thundersley and will be £12 each for an all-you-can-eat buffet. I know it's a bit of a trek but it's the biggest venue with a separate bar and gave me the best price for a charity night. There's gunna be a raffle, bonus ball game and other games fun fun fun with loads of chances to win some great prizes...who knows what else ;) So far 60 of you have said you'll come and I'm really grateful to everyone, you won't be disappointed! I hope you are all looking forward to it as much as I am! We are getting together some incredible prizes so if anyone has any ideas or gifts to put forward for the night, or knows of any companies that might be willing to donate something, let me know even if it's just an unwanted xmas present.

Alternatively you can just donate to my page, the links below, every pound helps and you're doing an incredible thing in supporting me.

Thank you to everyone that supports me, I couldn't do it without you all :) 12 weeks to go, a few grapes to be eaten, and £1207.50 left to raise!

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=jackwatson31&pageUrl=2

14 weeks to go...

Happy new year!

It's been an eventful month since my last post so this could be a long one. I discovered that I cannot ice skate!! I've completed my personal statement, university applications and had to make submission films with about 2 days notice. My official London Marathon training plan started on Boxing Day... yep Boxing Day...when most of you was recovering from the christmas booze, so was I but I went running. I'm doing 3 runs a week based on time instead of distance, starting on 20 minutes on Boxing Day and now up to 45 minutes this week.

Big news... I've also joined the gym! A new one for me but it's a chance to spend time with my mates and do my core workout 3 times a week. Biggest news ever... tonight I joined a running club. Christ! No-one ever thought I'd say that!! Running on my own has been really hard, it's way too easy to stop and chill, or check my phone so I've been bullied into joining the Southend Flyers and tonight was my first night at Garon's for some serious track running. It was so much easier running with other people, the distance felt easier, it went quicker and it was much more enjoyable. Gotta say thanks to Karen for taking me and introducing me to all the other mad marathon runners. I'm hoping to pick up the Sunday long runs with them too when I get to that level which should help me reach the 20 mile mark before marathon day. Another thing no-one ever thought I'd say is that I'm now the proud owner of some running tights... I look great I must say!

The diet is going well, I've introduced a satsuma a week to help me get back into shape and to balance out the kebabs and Greggs. Cracked it!

Best news so far is the fundraising. Lots of amazing people have already sponsored me including people who don't even know me, and my fundraising page is already at £625 for the Willow Foundation!!! It's brilliant I can't thank everyone enough for this! I was really worried about having to raise £2000, it's so much money but I'm well on my way to my target thanks to everyones generosity.

Last bit of news is I am arranging a Charity Curry Night for March. Everyone is welcome, bring friends and family to make up a table and have a good night out to help a brilliant charity. There will also be a raffle with some great prizes such as vouchers for The Skewer House in Rochford, Adventure Island tickets, gift cards and alcohol! If anyone wants to donate a prize that would be great! The date and details will be posted here soon as possible, I hope everyone will come!

So 14 weeks to go, 14 satsuma's to eat, loads more training to do and £1375 left to raise!

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=jackwatson31&pageUrl=2