The Final Run In...Why raise the profile of Marfan Syndrome (another families experience)

Here we are again. Almost ready to travel down to the Big Smoke!

Training Update

Only one more run since the last blog. It was on Thursday. It was meant to be a 5km / 7.5km run but ended up being 8.10km (5 miles). First two laps of Gorleston were with Paul at race pace. I then went off on my own. I felt really good so let the brakes off a bit and really enjoyed the burn up (relatively speaking of course!). The last km was 5.48, my quickest for a long time. The further I went the further I wanted to go and the faster I wanted to go. After 5 miles, I really wanted to carry on but I stuck to my Tapering plan (ish) and stopped. I just hope I am feeling like that on Sunday.

I ran in my £35 sale pair of “On” running shoes that Sam bought me when I wasn’t even there (and not my £115 sale pair of Asics that I specifically got for these two half marathons). Has that influenced my decision on running shoes for Sunday? I honestly don’t know until I get up Sunday morning (hence there are no running shoes in my final kit photo below)!

Targets for Sunday

I’ve only ran one half marathon in training before, on a day where I was feeling the bees knees. Even then my legs and feet only just kept going in that last mile, it was getting a bit painful! That run was 2 hours 27 mins 37secs but that was on a particularly good day where everything was perfect. The weather looks as though it is going to be kind and not too hot, which is great. So, there is a chance that I could run it all if it all comes together on the day. More realistically, there is a greater chance that I might end up “jeffin” (part run, part walk) a bit towards the end.

So, my only real aim is to cross the finishing line, albeit I do at least want to run the first 10 miles, if not I will be a bit disappointed. From then on I just have to add a park run on top! I am not too worried about time though as I am only going to do this once, so I am going to enjoy it and I am going to be taking photos on the way round. I am also going to be stopping for water. So timewise, I wouldn’t say I have a target. If my last one was 2:27:37 on a perfect day with no distractions, then I guess I would be happy if I came in under 2 hours and 35 mins but that isn’t a target. Like I say, the only target is to cross the finish line, enjoy it, raise the “Marfan” profile a bit more and raise a few more pennies for the Marfan Trust.

Just for the record, if you did want to follow me round (and I doubt you do!!!), you can download the London Landmarks Half Marathon app and search for me or my number 11071. I start at 10.15 on Sunday.

Why raise the profile of Marfan? Try this! Another families experiences of Marfan!

Obviously my family are very lucky. 1. We could have something a lot worse than Marfan 2. My family have all been diagnosed and are all taking the relevant medication to slow down the growth of our Aorta’s. However, if you wanna know why I try and raise the profile of Marfan Syndrome, then give this link a whirl! It explains the need to raise the profile far better than I ever could!

https://www.marfantrust.org/articles/149-natasha-s-story-marfan-awareness-month

Charity Position

The latest charity totals are:

• The total of my 4 year Just Giving account – This has just passed through the £8,000 barrier 😊. As I say, this will be closed after the Great North Run in Mid-Sept.

• My 2x Half Marathon effort (which is part of the above figure obviously) – This stands (at the time of writing) at £1976.58.

That is awesome, thank you all so much for your support. These are massive amounts for a charity as small as the Marfan Trust. Not to mention that the Marfan Trust is absolutely essential to families like mine!

So…… I hope you don’t mind if I leave this Just Giving link here - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marfellous2017?fbclid=IwAR3NA3-BDRCOnHmjSoccc91cDJe6gljwsjjUkXgcOrTeqTW6y4PCNK280tY

Massive thanks to everyone who has supported us here!!!!

See you on the other side everyone……..Take Care, Enjoy and have a great weekend….