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Running: London MarathonAge: 27Running for: Anthony Nolan TrustFundraising target: £1700-£2000Training: I train twice a week with my running club, which includes interval and hill training. I do a long run every Sunday and try and do a few easier runs during the week. I am running about 40-45 miles a week. I have completed two half marathons to get used to the crowds.Target time: Under 3.30 hrsCurrent training diet: I have been eating a lot more since I started training, but I have been keeping to a healthier diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein. Before a long run I have plenty of carbs the night before and a big bowl of cereal, toast and energy drink pre-race.Best piece of advice: Listen to your body if you get an ache or pain – missing the odd run is not going to harm your training.What I wish I’d known: That training would take over three months of my life.Experience: This is my first marathon
Tom Mullen client services manager, Client Services
Sponsor Tom: http://www.justgiving.com/tom-mullen
Running: London MarathonAge: 30 (on the day of the marathon)Running for: International Childcare TrustFundraising target: £2000 (but raised £2363 so far)Training: Running about 30 miles a week, as well as three spin classes, one weights session and one swim. Resting heart rate now 45bpm.Target time: Under 4 hoursCurrent training diet: What I mainly eat. Porridge every morning, lots of pasta, bananas, blueberries, nuts, protein shakes. Gave up smoking and alcohol (alcohol only temporarily).Best piece of advice: Increase distance slowlyWhat I wish I’d known: How expensive it was going to be (£100 for a pair of trainers on top of kit, protein shakes etc).Experience: I have never done anything like this before. I only started running last February. I have completed two 10km races and have run a few half marathons in training.
James Lawton online sales executive, Totaljobs.com
Sponsor James: http://www.justgiving.com/James-Lawton
Running: London MarathonAge: 35Running for: Clic SargentFundraising target: £2000Target time: 4 hoursTraining: I'm running about 40 miles a week and rather than supplementing this with any gym work, I clean up my children’s mess. The latter is by far the more punishing of the two.Current training diet: I’m making extensive use of red wine and bar snacks, as apparently, both are rich in carbohydrates. I also eat porridge every morning, which I’m enjoying slightly less.Best piece of advice: “Don’t do it, you idiot.” As usual, I didn’t listen.What I wish I’d known: I’d always assumed the London Marathon was essentially just crowds of jolly people running past, just like the BBC makes out. But veteran runners tell me it’s more like a scene from Apocalypse, with all manner of bodily fluids lining the streets and half dead bodies. So that’ll be nice. Experience: None, although I did win a bronze medal in the Salisbury schools mini marathon when I was 10.
Jim Larkin researcher, Estates Gazette Interactive
Sponsor Jim: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=jimlarkin
Running: London MarathonAge: 30Running for: National Deaf Children’s Society – my nephew Noah is deaf.Fundraising target: £2000Target time: 4 – 4½ hoursTraining: All running and what seems like all the time – about 30-40 miles per week. Current training diet: Healthy eating and not too much booze or coffee! Carb loading in the lead up to a long run.Best piece of advice: Enjoy it.What I wish I’d known: How much food people give you along the way.Experience: This will be my second London Marathon.
Beth Pooley exhibition coordinator, Salon Exhibitions
Sponsor Beth: http://www.justgiving.com/michaelandbeth2011
Running: London MarathonAge: 30Running for: The Katie Piper Foundation, founded by my sister to improve the delivery of an advanced rehabilitation and burns clinic in the UK.Fundraising target: £1000Training: My training isn’t really happening as it should. I’ve been working at RBI-US in Denver for the past seven months. I ran the Denver Marathon in October, but over the last few months temperatures have been as low as -24C without the wind-chill factored on top, so I’ve only managed a few runs on the treadmill. I’m going to be relying on past experience to get me round.Target time: 4 hoursCurrent training diet: I always try to eat healthy, but leading up to the marathon it will be more carb-focused.Best piece of advice: Be prepared for the last 6 miles, which are entirely a mental battle. If you believe you can succeed then you will.What I wish I’d known: I’m always learning new things through running. Right now I’m looking into forefoot running and trying to adapt to that.Experience: This will be my 9th marathon. Every one is a huge challenge and the level of mental and physical strength required can never be underestimated.
Paul Piper web analyst, Global Web Operations
Sponsor Paul: www.justgiving.com/paulpiper
Running: London Marathon
Age: 44
Running for: British Heart Foundation
Fundraising target: £1000
Target time: 3.5 hours
Training: Three runs a week, with 4-5 gym sessions including swimming, as I am aiming to do a triathlon this year as well.
Current training diet: I eat a healthy balanced diet apart from when there are cakes or biscuits around, which is quite often with my team.
Best piece of advice: It’s always good to set yourself a challenge and this is a great way to rise to the challenge, raise money for charity, enjoy the day and hopefully achieve your goal.
What I wish I’d known: I’ve done it before so now I know the pain I’ll have to go through
Experience: Normally run one a year or if not at least a half marathon or something silly like the grim challenge.
Kevin Stewart online services manager, Operational Development
Sponsor Kevin: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KevinStewart
Running: London Marathon
Age: 30
Running for: Action on Addiction and Help for Heroes
Fundraising target: I have a ballot place so I don’t have a target in mind, but I’d like to raise as much as possible.
Target time: Under 5 hours
Training: I’m running 20-30 miles a week including a long run at the weekend. I train with my local running club or run home from work.
Current training diet: Sticking to a healthy balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and only carb loading on Friday nights in preparation for the long weekend runs. I have a chocolate milkshake post long run.
Best piece of advice: Invest in a Garmin, it’s changed my training regime completely.
Experience: Ran the London Marathon in 2008 and four half marathons.
Jane Shackleton marketing manager, estatesgazette.com
Sponsor Jane: http://www.justgiving.com/janeyshackleton
Running: Brighton MarathonAge: 33Running for: Rainbow TrustFundraising target: £750Training: Running four times a week totalling 30-35 miles – although the distances are increasing, plus play squash once a week.Target time: Anything under 4 hours would be nice.Current training diet: Same as usual with regular Nandos and Haribo supplements.Best piece of advice: To get running shoes that fit properly – I lost eight toenails during and after my first marathon.What I wish I’d known: How bad the weather was going to be over the past few months – motivation to go outside in shorts and t-shirts has been low.Experience: This will be my third marathon.
Joe Turner financial accountant, Finance
Sponsor Joe: www.justgiving.com/Joseph-Turner
Running: Brighton MarathonAge: 38Running for: Rainbow TrustFundraising target: £1000Training: Around 25 miles a week currently, but I am training for an ultra marathon later this year so will peak around 60 miles.Target time: Under 3.30 hoursCurrent training diet: Just loads of anything I can get my hands on. I don’t really change my diet, I just eat more of everything.Best piece of advice: It’s all in the headWhat I wish I’d known: It’s all in the headExperience: This is my fourth year running and I have done three marathons and one ultra marathon. I’ve decided this will be my last ‘season.’
Stephen Desmond head of content, Totaljobs Group
Franco Calpado deputy news editor, ICIS
Sponsor Franco: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=FrancoCapaldo
Running: London MarathonAge: 26Running for: MS SocietyFundraising target: £2000Training: I am not a member of gym but I am running about 60km a week.Target time: Under four hoursCurrent training diet: I eat a lot of rubbish, and often. I have no intention of changing my diet.Best piece of advice: Spend money on a good pair of trainers, in the long run it’s worth it.What I wish I’d known: How difficult it is to plan your training around work and a social life.Experience: This is my first marathon
Guy Sheppard product manager, Financial Publications
Sponsor Guy: http://www.justgiving.com/Guy-Shepperd
Running: Paris MarathonAge: 32Running for: Get Kids GoingFundraising target: £1000Training: I am hitting the gym for core work and sprint tests four times, as well as 30 miles running a week, made up of two smaller runs and a knee-buster every Sunday – this increases every week.Target time: 4.5 to 5 hoursCurrent training diet: Carbs and Percy Pigs; endless baked potatoes and Tuna as many sweets as I can.Best piece of advice: Get your playlist sorted, find a running speed you can maintain hour after hour and just get on with it.What I wish I’d known: How demanding it is. There is a huge difference between knocking out a 10-15km now and then to doing this in miles outside in the cold, thinking right another two hours of this and I’ll be done.Experience: This is my first marathon
Rachel Jones deputy community and farmlife editor, Farmers Weekly
Running: Berlin MarathonAge: 26Running for: Together, a mental health charity in memory of my friend DominiqueFundraising target: As much as I canTraining: One long run and two shorter runs a week. Also cycling the 20-mile round trip to work (when it’s not raining) and going to the gym, plus I have a couple of half marathons booked in.Target time: To get round! Circa 4 hours would be amazing.Current training diet: I’m using training as an excuse to eat out at every possible opportunity. I’m single-handedly keeping Wagamamas in business.Best piece of advice: Don’t underestimate the importance of good shoes and socks. Spen dthe money. Also, find a running buddy who for pace and enthusiasm. It’ll help you get out the door when all you want to do is sit on the sofa in your PJs.What I wish I’d known: How difficult it is to plan your training around work and a social life.Experience: This is my first marathon and there’s a good chance I won’t run another.
Gemma Blyth account manager, Estates Gazette
Sponsor Gemma: www.justgiving.com/Gemma-Blyth26
Running: Brighton MarathonAge: 26Running for: Rainbow TrustFundraising target: £550Training: Two long runs in the weekend plus strength and core and two runs at the gym a week. Plus I have a personal trainer once a week for a long run.Target time: Under five hoursCurrent training diet: I have been eating a lot more food since I started training. I have a wheat allergy which means I have to carefully plan my meals. I make sure I have breakfast every day, including gluten free rice flakes with milk and a banana or porridge with dried fruits and honey or cinnamon. At the weekend I have a bigger breakfast with eggs and wheat free toast plus cereal. I am eating loads of carbs – potatoes, rice and pasta and bread and energy drinks.Best piece of advice: Ensure you stretch and take rest days.What I wish I’d known: How much it takes over your life. I’m alcohol free until race day.Experience: My first marathon
Running: London MarathonAge: not revealedRunning for: Hertfordshire Community FoundationFundraising target: £1000Training: Running 2-3 times a week, totalling 20-30 miles, Injuries have slowed my progress.Target time: I just want to the cross the finish ahead of the Rhino.Current training diet: Same as usual – plenty of rubbish in larger quantities. Chicken fajitas are my secret weapon.Best piece of advice: Don’t get too focused on time and try to enjoy it. Invest in a good pair of trainers and there’s nothing like some Rocky music to get you through some difficult runs.What I wish I’d known: How hard winter training would be. It’s been a real mental battle on dark evenings.Experience: I am a complete novice, now or never.
Kevin Brady training and account manager, Community Care Inform
Sponsor Kevin: www.justgiving.com/Kevin-Brady1
Running: Brighton MarathonAge: 32Running for: Rainbow TrustFundraising target: £500Training: Admittedly I started late this year, but I’m currently training 3-4 times a week which includes a long run. It’s been difficult fitting training around a new baby.Target time: 4 – 4.5 hoursCurrent training diet: No alcohol. I haven’t changed my diet at all, I pretty much eat what I want when I want. Carb loading is essential before a big run though.Best piece of advice: Do not carried away and set off fast. Try to stick to your target pace at it’s a long road ahead, but above all enjoy yourself.What I wish I’d known: The .2 of 26.2 miles makes a big difference and feels like it’s never going to end. Experience: Ran the London Marathon last year and three half marathons.
David Allen, key account manager, estatesgazette.com
Sponsor Davey: www.justgiving.com/DaveyAllen
Running: Brighton MarathonAge: Not revealedRunning for: British Lung FoundationFundraising target: £500Training: Four times a week in the gym, doing a mix of running, weights and aerobic exercise. I’m doing long runs at the weekend and my longest run has been 14.6 miles.Target time: 5 hoursCurrent training diet: Pretty much the same, apart from lots of carbs and more vegetables. I have out alcohol until after the marathon.Best piece of advice: Enjoy it.What I wish I’d known: How time consuming it would be, but also how enjoyable and therapeutic running can be once you get through the pain barrier. I’m also thinking maybe I should have tried a half marathon first.Experience: This is my first marathon, but hopefully not my last.
Deborah Farquharson recruitment executive, HR
Sponsor Deborah: www.virginmoneygiving.com/DeborahFarquharson
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