Thanks for sponsoring me!

Firstly, thanks to everyone who sponsored me and helped me raise money for Ty Hafan – they are an amazing organisation and it was a pleasure to be able to run for them.

At mile 20 when my leg was in considerable pain, I was wondering why I was running a marathon, but it was amazing! And as the ballot has opened for next year’s London Marathon, I thought I might as well enter and see if I get a place!

So the best bits of Running the marathon included – running over tower bridge, running along the south bank towards parliament, the amazing atmosphere and support, and seeing the finishing line on the Mall!

So it’s been over a week since the marathon, and I’ve only been for one run since! Kinda missing the running but enjoying the rest to! Think it’s time to find another race and get running again! Maybe another marathon at some point….

Thanks for reading the blog and supporting me running the marathon, and Ty Hafan! Thanks!

I’ll never do that again… Until next time!

That was the toughest think I’ve ever done! London marathon was great, brilliant support and a buzzing atmosphere. But I did it!

Last year when I started running, I set myself a few goals, and dreamed of possibly doing a marathon – today I achieved it! I’m really happy with my time of 5.04 – I had a great first half then had a few issues with cramp and my knee (and got a free massage in side of a road which was so painful), but loved doing the marathon. Is a real step up from the half, but definitely worth a go, and I’d recommend London (not that I’ve done any others!).

In the last few hours loads have people have asked me what’s next… Well, I don’t know. I’m not so bothered about time as completing the challenge. Possibly fancy having a good at some form of ultra or maybe triathlon. I’ll give the marathon a miss for a while maybe for ever😉…!

Thanks for the supportive comments and encouragements today. When running today I had my name on my shirt, and it was brilliant as people in the crowd kept cheering me on! Fair play London folks and family and friends you helped me a lot! Even if you never run London it’s worth going to support, as it’s a great day out!

P.s- And an added advantage of running for a charity meant there was a reception for Hospice UK (which Ty Hafan is part of), and I got a massage! It was good, and much needed! Thought this was the best picture of the day!

Thank you Tramshed!

Thank you to the Tramshed in Cardiff who have very kindly sponsored my running vest for the London marathon. With their support I’ve almost reached my fundraising total!

In case you haven’t heard about the  Tramshed, it is Cardiff’s newest live music and entertainment venue. Set within a historical building of great cultural significance, the venue is the centre piece of a brand new creative hub in Cardiff city centre. They’ve got some great bands and gigs coming up, so why not see for yourself: http://www.tramshedcardiff.com

“This time next year we’ll be millionaires!”

You gotta love getting up at 6am on a Saturday, and then go stand in a cold market…

But actually I had a really great time at Splott Market this morning doing a stall to raise a bit more towards for the Marathon fundraising – and brilliantly we made £80, and still have a few plates / antiquey things to try sell to a collector (Splott isn’t really the place for them).

Thanks to everyone who contributed towards the stall, to those who gave me things to sell and to my parents who came and helped – my mum won the ‘Dell Boy’ the day award, sweet talking people to buy the most random junk.

So I’m nearly at my total, give or take a hundred pounds of two. If you want to help me reach the target, it’s easy at http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Monckton

Gwent Housing association cup for Ty Hafan!

After work tonight we had the inaugural Gwent housing association five-a-side football tournament,  raising money towards my fundraising total for Ty Hafan, as well as for Eden Gate night shelter in Newport.

It was a good laugh, with some great organisation by a colleague. We saw plenty of goals, a few fouls (maybe a lot!) and some good competition. It took a penalty shootout to decide the final, with my organisations team just losing out and missing out on the trophy.

As I’m wrapped up in Cotten wool to avoid injury before the big race, I did some of the refereeing- let me tell you, it’s hard work!

Was a great competition though. Thanks to everyone who came, supported or played. The picture is of the winners…

If you couldn’t make it, or don’t work for a housing association, you can still sponsor me for my London marathon run for Ty Hafan @ http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Monckton

Who needs Llanelli when you can run to Barry!

So I made a bit of a mistake in neglecting to pre-book a place for the Llanelli 20 miler today, and then it selling out prior to the race, leaving me with no place. Oops!

So instead of running along the costal path in Llanelli, I did a bit of research and worked out its just over 10 miles between my house and my parents in Barry, so I decided to run there and back this morning, clocking up just over 20 miles, in 3 hours 22 minutes – a 4 minute improvement on my last 20 miler time wise.

It was the perfect morning for it, not too hot but not too cold and not raining (for a change). And I absolutely loved it, especially as I set off early and there wasn’t too much traffic. Never thought I’d be able to run to Barry and back, but really glad I did it.

I also think I’ve sorted out my issues with refuelling as I run – Shot blocks and carrying my own bottle of water. Felt a lot better than in recent longer runs.

And now it’s time to taper, yey! Have been looking forward to this bit, lol. Next time I’ll run this far will be in London. Still not sure where the other 6 miles comes from mind! Oh well, will have to wait and see!

March madness – running a lot (for me)!

This past month I’ve run further and more than ever before. It’s been enjoyable, but also quite tiring. I’ve done my first 20 mile run, that nearly finished me off (to be followed this weekend by my second 20 mile run) and have got wet while out running virtually every time!

This week the light evenings have been amazing for running – definitely better to run in the light spring evenings.

So now it’s less than a month till the big race! Can’t wait to get to the start (and end!!). Not quite sure what I’ll do with my evenings after I’ve done the marathon as won’t have to run so much…

And as ever, if you fancy sponsoring me, and the amazing work of Ty Hafan, it’s easy to do at http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Monckton

All support appreciated, no matter how big or small.

I ran the Worlds… But actually preferred Newport!

It was great to be able to run in the World Half marathon this weekend. Following in the footsteps of some amazing runners was great, and when you compare your time to theirs, it just shows how good they are.

Not my fasted half, but I definitely enjoyed it more than last Octobers Cardiff Half. I even quite enjoyed the rain and the wind just after I crossed the barrage.

My aim was to keep a consistent pace ready for the marathon, which I kind of achieved, rather than race.

I think the legs might need a bit of physio some point soon. The last 20 mile race really took it out of me.

Next up is another 20 mile run next weekend. Can’t wait…er, maybe!?

Today I met an Olympic Legend!

It was a pleasure to meet and have a photo with double Olympic Gold medalist and current President of the IAAF, Lord Seb Coe.

Walking into the World Half Marathon expo to pick up my race number for tomorrow, in front of me was Lord Coe. So I briefly became one of those people who had to have a photo with him (Sorry Seb!) – He seemed a really nice guy, happy to have strangers accosting him for photos. Legend.

I did think about asking him for sponsorship for Ty Hafan (my London Marathon run), but thought that might be a bit cheeky?? Maybe some of his running ability will rub of on me tomorrow….

To sponsor me and support Ty Hafan… http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Monckton

Who wants a bacon bap?!

An early start, a really hot kitchen and 60 bacon baps later, I’ve raised another £100 towards my fundraising target.

Today in work, along with my colleague Jenna, who is also running the London Marathon (and with a lot of help from Dave), we made and sold a lot of bacon and egg baps. Thanks to everyone who brought one, Hope you enjoyed them!

Also, thanks to Decks Cafe in Spytty, Newport, for donating the food, and enabling us to raise more for our charities.

I’m still a few hundred pounds short of my target, if you haven’t already done so, please consider sponsoring me. It’s for Ty Hafan, a great charity based here in South Wales working with life limited children and their families. Donate here at http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Monckton.

thanks.