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Thats got be the end of it, in NEW YORK...NEW YORK!!!!

Well that time has come and the challenge has come to an end...both my Dad and me finished in just over 5 hrs to complete the final hurdle in this mammoth task of running all of the 5 Great Major Marathons in one year.

We started in London carried on through Boston, Berlin and Chicago to finally finish here in New York...

Pictures and update to follow!!

Berlin...

has to be the preparation. This involved months of long training sessions, dieting and worst of all ... no beer!! Berlin itself was an interesting place; I got to see a large part of it on the train the night before when I had to change 3 times to dodge all the weekend track repairs! When it came to the big day I really didn't know what to expect and to be honest wasn't really prepared (walking around at 8am in September in only t-shirt and shorts). I also think I saw the worst portable toilet ever just before getting to the starting line (all the other runners will know exactly what I mean). The run itself was a lot harder than I was expecting. Up to the half way stage I felt pretty good but at around the 18 mile stage my knees just decided to give in. It was a case of shuffle for a bit then walk for a bit after that ... oh and it hurt! However, despite all this I managed to get around the course. Looking back I'm glad I did it and think I'm a better person for it. I now have a greater appreciation for the guys who run these on a regular basis and in particular for what Ian has done. To run 5 of these in a year is an amazing achievement and I am really proud of him.

Please Please Please

I know the majority of people are paying at the end and others have given me cheques or cash…but there are a lot of you out there who have made pledges who I only see now and again, please, please, please…make use of the websites to make a donation to your charity of choice or all three…you decide…but we want to make as much as we possibly can…I think we have until end of Nov/early Dec to get all the cash in…

So I will harass you over the next month or so for every penny you have got…

Thanks again for all of your help, support and donations.

Ian

Chicago Pictures

HERE!!!

http://www.rememberyouralive.co.uk/detail/Chicago_Marathon/22/16.aspx

Cardiff Half Marathon

my dad completed his ffirst half marathon only two weeks before the NY marathon...Well one Dad, i just you haven't peaked too early...;-)

Here We Go Again!!!!

if any personal bests are going to be broken then it will be here in Berlin...Haile Gebrselassie better watch out!!

Bupa Cardiff 10k

Myself and my Dad both completed the Cardiff 10k in blistering heat this weekend, with a not too shabby 1hr finish time. Being my dads birthday i thought i would surprise him by turning up to run with him and although he damaged his ankle the day before on the cats plastic frog, he absolutley refused to stop running although you could visbiliy see the pain in his face.

This was all worth the effort when he overtook some local rugby hunks who had burnt themselves out...probably at the shock of his man boobs in his lime green t-shirt that did it..but he did it all the same.

Well done dad, you only have to do that 3 more times in NY.

See pics at http://www.rememberyouralive.co.uk/content/gallery.aspx

Dedicated to Auntie Vera

i was unfortunate enough to have to attend one of my oldest aunt's funerals, i wasn't particularly close to her, but sat there in the church all i could think of was that i dont ever remember my auntie Vera without a smile, she never judged anyone and was always the first one there, still dancing until midnight the night she died. It didnt feel right, but because of the way i remember her i was constantly smiling at her funeral , but somehow because of who she was it didnt seem wrong.

God Bless

xxx

Challenge headlines Echo

News of my 5 marathon challenge has now reached the local media thanks to a piece written by Amalie at Mando, you can read the article in full if you go to - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/05/03/dad-plans-to-run-five-marathons-in-memory-of-son-100252-20856484/

Don't forget, the challenge is not even half-way yet so we have a long way to go before we reach our target of £20000, thanks for the fantastic support so far, please keep it up to help us reach our target.

Cheers,

Ian