YouthNet blog

Monday Apr 23, 2007

The Last One

Well this is my final blog (for the time being anyway – god knows what Kuljeet and YouthNet will get me roped into next!).

You will all be pleased, if amazed, to know that I completed the Flora London Marathon yesterday.  It wasn't easy, at all, and at least 5 times I thought 'I can't do this, I don't seem to be getting anywhere, I'll never finish', but I did.  It took me 6 hours approx although after 5 and a half, I stopped caring and just wanted to finish.  I couldn't feel my feet, felt sick from all the Lucozade, and the heat was ridiculous (it's April for heaven sake!).  You may think from this paragraph that I hated every moment, but you'll be wrong.

It was an amazing, amazing day.  The crowds, the runners, the Rhinos and gorillas, the water people and my friend who was also running, Michael Baines, made it a fantastic day.  If I didn't feel so exhausted, I would be a lot happier I think and as the week goes on, I know that I'll get smugger and prouder of myself. 

It seemed a lot longer than 26.2 miles.  Especially when I saw the first mile mark, surely they have got it wrong!  However, a friend told me (thanks Howard) to take it one mile at a time and even after ½ way I kept that in mind.  Sounds simple but it really worked.  The last 600m was a killer, and there was nothing left for a sprint at the end but I did it all, I didn't stop jogging at all, I didn't walk at all, and I finished. 

I think the only down side for me was the Cutty Sark.  I watch the race every year, and every year the Cutty Sark, at the 6 mile mark, is a huge event, and looks amazing on TV.  It wasn't quite the same.  But running down past the Houses of Parliament and Buck House, that was something.  I used to cycle round London and past those sights every day but yesterday seemed more important somehow.

The highlight, without a doubt, was the finish line – never, ever, ever, have I ever been so pleased to see a finish line in my life.  I felt very proud.

Many things kept me going.  A cliché but the crowds are amazing, all the way along – they say it gets a bit quiet sometimes, but I didn't notice that, they were all the way.  The bands, kids doing high fives all the way round, having your name shouted is amazing. 

My friends  - I have discovered since my mum died how important friends are, and again this has proved that ten fold – I have had people pick me up from random places, run me home, take me to car boots, donate stuff, put me up for the weekend, ensure I eat right, everything.  And the amount of text messages and phone calls I have received have been overwhelming.

The same can be said for my colleagues (doesn't this sound like an Oscars speech!)? I've only worked for Vodafone since September and since that time I have worked with the nicest, most genuine, caring, loveliest people I've ever known.  I know Youthnet is a Vodafone charity, but the support I've had from my team has been awesome.  Thank you all.  A special thank you has to go to Michael, my fellow runner.  It was a good send having someone to share the aches, pains and talks about miles and miles with.  I know we bored our friends and colleagues senseless, but without each other, I know it would have been a lot different.  Thanks mate.

All of the above and everyone else who sponsored me – I know a lot would have sponsored me for what ever charity I did, but they did sponsor YouthNet.  It is a relatively new charity that needs exposure such as this, and at least half the people who sponsored me are unknown to me, so thank you to them.  I can thank friends and colleagues personally but not the ANONs and the names I don't know.  You have all been amazingly generous and I'm so pleased that I exceeded my total by quite a lot (and I think money is still coming in).

And finally to Kuljeet.  Thank you.  This was unknown territory for both of us.  I didn't know how much support I needed and neither did you, but you surpassed anything I was expecting.  You have got it just right.  You have become a friend and have proved to be a great support.  YouthNet is a charity to be proud to work and run for. 

Thanks again to everyone.  And bring on next April – lets do it all again!!!!!!

With matching from the Vodafone UK Foundation, Donna raised an incredible £2,840 for YouthNet!

If you haven't sponsored her already you can here: http://www.justgiving.com/donnashaylerrunsthemarathon