A Sunday covering 26 miles...............

Today my twin brother for the 5th time pulled on his trainers and joined 38,000 others to run 26 miles through the streets of the city in the London Marathon.
As with every year, the G family joined the spectator masses to cheer him and the many 1,000 on. We headed for our usual location on the Embankment opposite the London eye just past the 25 mile marker...

After a miserable night of rain previously, the day dawned dry but chilly, perfect running conditions but a little cold for us spectators.... London Marathon 2015 was the 35th year that the marathon had been held in London and had a record breaking 38,000 runners running. A huge number of the crowds were there to see and say Thank-you to one of this countries most famous athletes and long distance runners... Paula Radcliffe. As we waited for Mark to get to us we were lucky enough to see and support Paul as she ran past, the crowd went crazy and she passed looking relaxed and happy with a mile to go.. completing the course in 2hrs 34 minutes, amazing, especially for a retirement run!

Along with seeing Paula we also saw Jenson Button and James Cracknell who both delivered sub 3hr runs which were equally as amazing.
I need to say Jenson Button looked extremeley 'hot & fit' even having just run 25 miles!!!...
Along with seeing some sporting heroes run, every single person pounding the streets of London today are heroes in my eyes... some people make it look so easy, but I know the hours of training, and discipline in all weather conditions it takes to get to the start line... so bravo to you all.
Mark approached us on target to deliver sub 4 hours which is what he was aiming for... having seen him with a mile to go we walked through to Horse guards and waited for him to come through from the finish line.

The atmosphere was great in the waiting area, we even saw a proposal, a guy having just run the marathon went down on bended knee (he needed some help getting up after!) to propose to his girlfriend who had also run the marathon... it was lovely and drew a big crowd.

After congratulatory hugs to the running hero who finished in 3hrs 54 minutes we headed home on a busy tube, with a weary runner and a very proud sister, wife & daughter.
As with every year I am extremely proud of Bruvs achievements.

Marathon 2013 ~ 3hrs 57
Marathon 2011 ~ 3hrs 49
Marathon 2010 ~ 3hrs 40
Marathon 2008 ~ 3hrs 51

Marathon Man

Last Sunday my baby brother ( only by 10 minutes!) affectionately known as Bruv joined 36,999 others to run the London marathon. This was M's fourth marathon, of which he admits each one gets a little harder. Having trained in what was the coldest winter through, rain, snow and hail Marathon day dawned bright, blue skies and the sun in the sky... Perfect spectator weather, but a little hard going on the less experienced runners.
As what has know become a bit of a family tradition I joined my SIL, niece and nephew on the embankment opposite the London Eye to cheer the runners on. This year we were joined by my aunt... So it became a big family day out.
This year so many more people thronged the route to cheer, clap and support the runners... I think it was an amalgamation of the Olympic spirit, beautiful weather and a show of unity and solidarity in support of the catastrophic events that had taken place the previous week at the Boston marathon. It was touching to see all the runners as they came past wearing black ribbons in support.
As we were waiting we saw the Paralympic runner Richard Whitehead run past as some speed, which truly astounds me as be is a double leg amputee... Amazing.

Very soon we saw M running towards us, he had some difficulty at 23 miles with cramp, but finished under 4hours completing his 4th marathon all between 3.45 & 3.55. He was a little disappointed with his time this year, but as his sister I am immensely proud of him.
A fab family day out...finished off with a much deserved beer.

Keep on Running....

was certainly the mantra for 35,000 runners pounding the streets of London on Sunday. One of those 35,000 was my twin brother ..... this year he was running for the children's charity Dreams Come True. This was his 3rd marathon, and he says its his last!.... he completed in 3hrs 49 and it was his hardest.

The weather which was fantastic for us spectators was hard going for all the runners.

We spectated from just past the 25 mile point. This year we saw more people collapsing and walking than we have seen in the 2 previous years. I have the utmost admiration for all those that completed. Its an amazing and humbling experience to see and London hosts it spectacularly.... we caught up with friends and family at the finish and toasted his success with coffee & specially made cupcakes in Trafalgar square!...

In keeping with my running theme, my two train reads this week have been:

• Mum on the Run ~ Fiona Gibson ~ a fun read, especially for every mum who dreads the school sports day parents race!... on an attempt to loose weight she ditches fat busters and starts running, juggling kids, job & a secret running partner!.. predictable but good fun....
• Girl on the Run ~ Jane Costello ~ having read Jane's previous books,  was looking forward to this and wasn't disappointed... laugh out loud chick lit, I completely empathised and associated with Abby!.. a great read.... not as predictable as you may think... may even be tempted to pull on my trainers!..... 

Sporting Spectacular...

and a Superstar of a brother!. .. as previously posted my twin ran his 2nd marathon on Sunday in London.

Whilst he was pounding the streets (along with 35,000 others,) Sis-in-law, kids & I headed upto the Embankment to cheer him on. We stood at the 25mile marker opposite the London Eye. The day was a huge emotional rollercoaster, and I was so chuffed to see him come towards us.

He suffered with cramps for the last couple of miles, which he has never experienced whilst running, but he dug deep and finished in 3hours 40 minutes. I am a VERY PROUD Sister, as is his wife & children. Along with being our hero, he raised nearly a £1000 for Great Ormond street hospital.
A fantastic day, with some truly inspirational people, bruv being at the top of my list!... Well done Bruv... love & hugs Sis xx

p.s..If any of you have been inspired then here is the link for next years ballot!.... London Marathon.

Superstar......

What a week..........Went to the London marathon on Sunday which was amazing.....we stood opposite the London eye just past the 25 mile marker. The atmosphere was fantastic. We had friends along the highway in the docklands and my uncle was at the 19 mile mark. We had roughly tracked what time Mark would be at the points due to his training plan, so we were able to predict what time he would pass. He did amazingly well completing in 3hrs & 51mins. He was 5mins behind Gordon Ramsey and just infront of Ronan Keeting. I am so proud of him, he ran past us as if he had just started!!He said that the crowds were brilliant and really lift you. I was really impressed with the whole organisation of it with 35,000 people running through London, it was a very humbling & emotional day.

This weeks challenge on UKS was to complete a layout using the following:
So … use a map or plan of some kind on your LO = 10pts
The sailors must have sailed a lot of seas, so for using the colour blue = 5pts.
Use a hand-made embellishment = 5pts
Use ink on your LO (eg stamped image, inked edges etc) = 5pts
Use eyelets and/or brads - 5pts
Challenge couldn't have come at a better time!!!