~ A Massive Thank you ~

Where to start!!.......

Hand and foot castings are now in place at the Horton Maternity Unit in Banbury, not only this, but we have managed to get the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on board.

Both hospitals now bestow bereaved families with hand and foot castings of their precious stillborn babies.  This is more than I ever dreamed.

I want to share with you all how thrilled, happy and excited I am about this news, however, equally I am saddened and heartbroken that this is only a tiny bit of comfort I can offer these families.

So today I have spent the day at the Horton Hospital in Banbury, where four years ago we lost our little Sophie. I had a go myself at casting a doll's foot to see how the process works.  It's amazing, easy and quick to do.  Take a look at the pictures below........

So how have we got here.  I would like to thank all of you who donated to my marathon challenge, this is what it was all about.  

Your donations have made this happen.  You have provided at least 185 families something to cherish forever and this equates to nearly three years completely funded by you. After this time, continuing funding from other donors and SANDs will keep the castings a permanent memory to families from now on.

I have had many, many meetings over the last year with the amazing bereavement team who have facilitated my idea through to its implementation. A huge thank you to Vicky Warr and Kim Paul. Thanks also to Yolanda Jacob who has made sure that all the money you donated was set aside for these castings.  A big thank you to the midwives at both the Horton and JR maternity units who care for the families who have lost their little ones and make sure they offer this gift to them.

So what next, well I am in the process of working with Sarah Vaccari (Communications Manager from the Charitable Trust) to spread the news to others via local and potentially national newspapers.  I would love to see this rolled out to many more hospitals as I strongly feel it is an important service to offer ALL bereaved families.

Sadly, I would have cherished casts like these of Sophie, I forget how small she was and how she felt in my arms.  The castings will never be enough but I do hope that these little tactile keepsakes will be cherished by the families.

I also want to thank a lady I met a couple of years ago, you know who you are, you gave me this idea and now we have both managed to share this with so many more :) xxxx

~ THANK YOU ~

SWEEPSTAKE WINNERS

A massive thank you again to all those who donated (its still open to donations if you didn't!)  My sweepstake itself raised £850+ towards my total.  I am delighted to announce the lucky winners of my sweepstake.  I will be contacting all the winners individually and telling them all about their prizes. Well done all of you!

I am so grateful to all of you who donated and its lovely to give something back for all your generosity.

If you have not read how I got on in the Marathon click here

You never know.... if I do another marathon I may do this again!!! watch this space.

50% of your money goes to the Horton Maternity hospital.  I will be in touch with how the money at the Maternity wing is spent.  It will be great to go some way in helping those parents and families who sadly have to go through the pain of a still born child.  I know it will not fix the problem but it may give them some comfort.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...... the winners are........

Albert Hulse – 3:10:44 - My half marathon time - Foxhills golf club – 4 ball, 18 holes plus one case of Fullers London Pride and pack of golf balls each

Emma Corbett – 4:35:03 - My 19 mile (30 km) marathon time - Family photo shoot with me! all images on disc

Gayle Carter – 5:25:00 - My 22 mile (35 km) marathon time  - Google Nexus (Android) 32 GB Tablet 

Tracy Clarke – 6:42:48 - My marathon finish time - O2 Arena Tickets for 2 people to attend an event in 2013

Christina Savage – 3:05:46 - My brother Richard Smith's 19 mile (30 km) marathon time - Park resorts family holiday for up to 6 people for 3/4 night break

Richard Smith – 5:04:21 - My brother Richard Smith's marathon time  - Sony Tablet

Kevin Ashby - 3:09:47 - Fastest Male Muscular Dystrophy runner - Bernie Henderson- 4 Ball, 18 holes at Bicester golf club 

Claire Ashby - 3:50:24 - Fastest Female Muscular Dystrophy runner - Anna Larkins - Costa coffee £50 & Debenhams voucher £20

Frank Williams - 2:31:26 - Person coming 10^th in the Elite Womens race – Irvette Van Zyl -  Sun lounger and Bosch AHS 50-16 Electric Hedge cutter 

Graham Fletcher - Donated back by Richard Smith - Special edition match ball from last season's Champions League final (won by Chelsea)

Margaret Smith - 2:09:28 - Person coming 10^th in the Elite Mens race – Ayad Lamdassen Samsung Galaxy Mini II Mobile Phone (donated back by Richard Smith)

All times have been checked and double checked, where times were in-between allocated people seconds within the minute have been used.

"There will be days you don't think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have."

Whhhoooooooooohhhhh!!!! London Marathon 2013 #DONE

Confession time - 6 weeks ago I ran the Milton Keynes half marathon, I picked up an injury in both my lower legs (a form of shin splints) and decided to go to the physio.  4 sessions later and after being told not to run, I cross trained, swam and cycled for the following weeks.  I was gutted as up to that after 300+ miles training and a 15 mile long run I was doing well.

I decided not to share with you all as I had already carried over my place from 2012 due to fracturing my fibula (maybe I am just not cut out to run!)  it was a case of now or never!  So on the morning of the marathon, I had in fact not run for 6 weeks, I was nervous how things were going to unravel.

The morning was buzzing and the atmosphere was amazing, on the train and within the start areas.
My brother and Jen were all going from different starts so we had already split up.  This gives you time to contemplate and get your kit sorted, stick your bag in one of the massive lorry's and have a water break.

Then you find your pen (sounds like a herd of sheep!) which is based on your times and wait to file to the start line.

Your off..... running as soon as you pass the start.
The start has everyone buzzing, you are within a housing estate and there are speed humps.  It was really funny, each speed hump had two stewards with a board saying 'HUMP' and they were shouting at everyone saying 'Hump' - that's it I thought, my job for 2014!  Some of the stewards had obviously got bored and had made up little 'Hump' songs to entertain themselves.

At mile 3 my legs were already in pain from my shin splints, I had not really totally recovered and they were playing up.  I really thought at this point there was no chance of me completing the course.  I was already a minute or more slower than my usual running pace.

My family and friends were at mile 9, I knew I had to at least see them and keep going.  When I turned the corner at Canada water and saw my family I was in tears, it was totally overwhelming, I needed to see them to keep me going!

I then saw them again at mile 11, grabbed some ibuprofen off my mum and carried on.  Thankfully the painkillers kicked in and I then was able to manage a bit more of a run rather than the run/walk I had been doing.  I knew by now that time was no big thing, I just had to finish.

When we rounded the corner to the half way point of Tower bridge I had a huge smile on my face, it was an awesome view and fantastic crowds pushed you on. I had to stop and take a piccy myself!

The Muscular Dystrophy cheer point at tower bridge was amazing, they were soooooo loud.





I saw more friends at mile 17 in Canary wharf which was again a great lift. It helped me split up the distance into chunks as I knew prior to the day where people were going to be.



I found this quote which sums up the race well "I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds.  Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart."

I caught up with many fellow 'Muscular Dystrophy' runners on the way round which was great to see them, many of whom are now great 'Facebook' friends.  We had a fantastic forum on Facebook for MD where we all shared how our training was going, these people are now my 'Orange' family!

20 miles was hard onwards... my legs were now starting to hurt again and I really found it hard to walk or run, sometimes it was actually easier to run for some reason, so I plodded on, spurred on by an elderly lady who overtook me at the point (how very dare she!!) I thought if she is still running I bloomin well am too!

Embankment miles 23-25 were soooooooooo long, they just seemed to stretch forever.  Being so slow also had its disadvantages, by this time crowds were dispersing (although by no means was it too quiet and people were still egging you on) the roads were full of water/lucozade bottles and sticky from energy gels, people were sweeping the streets and tidying the water stations, it felt like everyone was packing up.... not really the motivator I needed at this point.  However the crowds were still fantastic and people said the most lovely things as you passed which either had me on a real high or an emotional wreck as I thought about why I was doing all this.  I cried through the entire 'Blackfriars underpass' as it was so overwhelming.

I passed Big Ben just as the clock was chiming 5.45pm (over 6 hours after starting) and turning the corner to run down the Mall was a complete blur.  I gave it my all and managed a sprint (of sorts) finish, took a few strides over the finish line and was swept up by my brother who had waited for me.  I proudly took my medal and enjoyed the massive feeling of completing a challenge which has been part of my life for 2 years. So, I completed the London Marathon 2013 in 6 hours and 42 minutes, I was never going to break any records for style, elegance or speed, because of my injury, but I was going to complete that darn marathon if it killed me!  I am now going to take a few months off before my next challenge.......... sod just running...... so I'm entered into Stowe Triathlon in July! anyone fancy joining me?

Sweepstake update still to come, I am just confirming all times and winners! watch this space............

LONDON MARATHON 2013 #DONE

Thank you!!

Well today has been mostly spent with a pack of peas on my legs!

I am putting together a post about what the day was like which I will publish in a bit, I will also be going through and sorting out the winners of the sweepstake, so will be in touch with you all soon. so this post is just about the thank you's

I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to you all for the support, love and great messages I receive in the lead up, during and indeed after the Marathon yesterday, it was a very emotional day, with extreme highs and some overwhelming moments.

I just wanted to also thank a few special people without whom I would not have been able to get round the 26.2 miles yesterday.........

To my training partner Tracy Clarke, who braved many a cold, wet, windy winters day coming out with me on my short and longer runs, we completed a half marathon and many 10 milers together, she pushed me when I was struggling, laughed with me when I needed a pick up and generally shouted at me to get me up a hill (still hate them!)

To my parents who spent most weekdays with me and looked after the children so I could train, its a massive commitment in training and fitting it all in sometimes has been a struggle.  Thank you Mum and Dad xx

To Adam at AGW fitness who let me train for free in the gym when it was too bad weather wise to go out.

To Caroline and Mark who lent me a treadmill at home so even if I did not have babysitters I could still do some running.

To all of you who donated prizes for the sweepstake,  it bought in the money and that's the important bit!

To all of you who donated, your money will be spent wisely with my charities, and I am ecstatic that I am able to see exactly where your money is spent within the Horton Hospital.

To my Husband Mark and my two little men who have put up with me being out and about training, moaning and obsessing about all things running and marathon!

To Martin my physio at Body limits who tried to patch me together with my shin splints.

To my supporters on the day, El, Caroline, Tracy, Jessica, both sets of Parents, kids, husband, Lucy, Gayle and Vicky who trekked round London to spot me in a few places, and to my brother who was there waiting for me at the finish line.

Tomorrow is the big day.............

So today I am off to London, I have to register at Excel and pick up my number, chip and bag.  I hope to go and see the folks at the Muscular Dystrophy stand.

Then its a pasta lunch followed by a pasta dinner (that's after the pasta I had last night too!) mmmmmm

Then back to my brothers flat to try and rest up before tomorrow.  It will be an early start as we want to get to our start positions by latest 9.00 for the race to start at 10.00 - I hope to soak up some of the atmosphere and hope to be hyped up and ready to go.

If you want to see how we are all getting on during the marathon, take a look at this post here which gives you the ways to watch us!

I would love to say a huge thank you to all of you who have supported and sponsored me up to this big day, 

I hope I do you all proud! 

On the way round I shall be thinking of all the families you will be helping with your donations, I shall also be running thinking about my own little girl Sophie x

So that's it, I am a mix of excitement, nervousness and apprehension at the moment but hope the crowds, family and friends will help me get my bum round 26.2 miles.... see you on the other side!

You can still sponsor me here if you have not yet done so!  The sweepstake is open till Saturday evening, however I will not get a chance to update the page but your time will still be valid.

Just finishing the last of my packing, hoping to carry off an 'orange' look!

THIS IS IT!!!!!!! One Week to go..........

This is it..... One week to go, 6 days before my 26.2 mile challenge......

So I thought I’d share our plans for the day, if you fancy a trip down to London, it’s a great day out the atmosphere is amazing!  If you can’t make it down to London don’t worry, I will be telling you how you can follow me along with any other friends or relatives you may have running on the day (also quite good for seeing how the celebs are doing).

My family and friends are heading down and will be at various points around the route if you would like to join them, or alternatively look where they are and try a different spot!  If you are planning on coming, let me know and I can try and keep an eye out for you!

My Family

MILE 9 Canada Street - Suzanne approx 11.50am

MILE 11 Brunel Road - Suzanne approx 12.10pm

MILE 14 Narrow Street- Suzanne approx 12.50pm

MILE 21 Commercial Road - Suzanne approx 2.15pm

My Friends

MILE 17 East Ferry Road by the George Pub – Suzanne approx 1.30pm

My Charities

MILE 12 Muscular Dystrophy team will be by Tower Bridge on the right hand side
MILE 24 Muscular Dystrophy team will be by Embankment on the right hand side

I will have a ‘mash up’ of a tshirt on as my mum kindly has sewn together my Muscular Dystrophy top and Sands top.  I will look like this! 

To those of you who can’t make it down to London but would like to follow my progress around the course my Number is 17252 and my brother Richard is 55254.

You can track the runners live through the Virgin London Marathon website here, simply enter our numbers and see how we are doing!

For all you iphone users you can download the 'London Marathon 2013' app and 'find friends who are taking part' add their tracker number (mine is 995599) and watch us real time!

Why am I doing this?

Its only 4 weeks away, am I nervous.... erm yep!

I have had an injury the last few weeks since the MK half and am still trying to be 'fit' for the start line on the 21st April.  I have been advised that if I make it to the start 98% of people finish... that's all that matters to me this year!

I keep remembering the quote "Of course it's hard.  Its supposed to be hard.  if it were easy, everybody would do it.  Hard is what makes it great."
- Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) from 'A League of their own'

So why am I putting myself through this?  3 years ago our family's life changed forever - that may sound dramatic but sadly it does change you as a person and also the family.  That's not to say I don't feel we have all come a loooonnnng way since then.  I love my little men dearly and feel blessed we went on to have a gorgeous little Samuel, who brightens up our days.

Little Sophie's death sometimes still feels like a dream, the memories of the days blur and the images you retain in your head are lead by the pictures we still have.  As with any loved ones who leave our lives, you hold on to all those items/photos that remind you of what you had or could have had.  We want more than the photos, I want more...... but sadly, that's it, its all I have.  What I really want is my baby girl who would now be 3 years old and just starting nursery school this year, I would have seen her in her Christmas show, her Easter bonnet parade and celebrated 3 birthdays with pink stuff everywhere!

What could we do to help people in our situation.... to be honest not a lot, its cra@ppy and I can take none of the pain or hurt away from them.  But I can look forward for them, I would love to give them more to remember their little ones by.  I came across hand and foot casting of stillborns through my photography work, I was touched by a lady who had lost her first baby but had the castings when she was at Swindon Hospital.  I loved the fact that the castings were so tactile and reflected so well the form and prints of her little ones feet.  It felt more real that photographs.  I wanted one!!!!!

50% of the money I will raise goes to the materials, training and making of hand and foot castings, making this a free service for all stillborn children at the Horton Maternity Hospital.

The Horton Hospital have been fantastically supportive and have loved the idea,  Claire (Delivery Suite Manager) and Yolanda (Fundraising project manager) have researched and planned how we proceed with implementing the castings.  We are planning a visit to Swindon to see how it works and then use the ideas back in Banbury.  I can't wait to have a trial up and running, if we can prove it is viable we hope the Sands group linked to the Hospital will support the project ongoing.

I am blessed that I have been able to be so hands on with exactly where your money will be going and will ensure that it is a success.

30% of the money also goes to Sands to help support all the other families who rely so heavily on their services after a bereavement.

10% of your money goes to Macmillan who were so good with helping my own mum, with care when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011.

10% goes to an amazing charity, Muscular Dystrophy who fund research to cure this condition and also support families affected by it.  Our close friend's son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which causes progressive muscle weakness.  He is an amazing little boy (not so little now!) and currently is fairly fit and healthy..... long may that last.  Love you Ethan! xxxx

So that leads us to the answer...... why am I doing this........ 

why would I not!

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