Week 15 - tapering down

Less than a week to go now until the big race and a big thank you to Nozza, Gav and Smig for sponsoring me this week. I'm just £300 short of the £2,000 target now with all the money raised going to the support the Leeds branch of the MS Society.

There are over 1,000 people diagnosed as having MS in the Leeds area who are supported by The Leeds Branch of the MS Society. The branch has about 150 members and runs a support telephone-line, a weekly self–help group and a monthly social, as well as a quarterly newsletter. They also provide a library of up-to-date information about all aspects of MS from dealing with specific health problems such as fatigue to advice about claiming benefits.

The branch has gone through problems recently with a lack of volunteers and funds. The money raised from the Marathon will enable them to provide grants to local people with MS for items such as wheelchairs, scooters and other essential equipment. They will be able to help with the cost of respite care, car adaptations and Motability deposits. Many of those who have MS are on low incomes due to their disability and are in need of financial help. Any money not given out in grants will be used to help research or to provide specialist MS nurses.

Running-wise, I have been tapering down this week in anticipation of the big day on Sunday, getting in plenty of rest and staying injury free. I will be setting off down to London on Friday to register at the Excel Arena before planning the best way to get to the start line on race day. Now all the training is out of the way and the sponsorship is nearly raised I am starting to look forward to it.

13th - 19th April
Mon: PM: 2 hrs off road (21 km)

Tues: AM: gym 1 hrs

Wed: AM: gym 1.5 hrs (6 km sprints) PM: Football training

Thurs: AM: 30 mins steady (6 km) PM: 30 mins steady (6 km)

Fri: AM: 1 hr gym

Sat: Football

Sun: AM: 50 mins steady (10 km)

Weekly total: 49 km - training total: 797 km