Amsterdam Marathon 2012

Goodness, I've just realised that this is my first post of the year as we enter February! Sorry about that and Happy, healthy New Year one and all :D
Do I seem to be getting adventurous now I’ve stepped up to doing Marathons? ;) I have now registered for this run which takes place on Sunday October 21st in my favourite city of Amsterdam. This is a special race as I will be celebrating 10 years of running and thus 10 years of raising funds for Starfish. It is also 10 yrs since Mr Hauer did a spate of conventions to raise funds for Starfish and meet his fans.  He is at it again this year in Charlotte, USA at the end of March and I will be there. I cannot wait! I will be so excited see people again and meeting new people. This is the event I'm talking about and you can see the Starfish banner smack in the middle there
 
http://www.themadmonsterparty.com/

Anyway I am well into my training now. I’m currently using my usual running shoes but at the half way stage I will switch to my new ‘Five Fingers’. They may look strange but they simulate barefoot running. Currently in the mornings I find myself running in subzero temps!

If helping people throughout the world who are HIV+ or living with AIDS is something you care about please consider sponsoring me. It is easy. Find me on Facebook and on Twitter as @Sarah Scientist. A huge thank you and warm hugs to those of you who support me. I can't tell you how important it is or how much I appreciate it.  As I like to say and because it is true I do accept all currencies, so don't let yours stop you ;) If you visit the 'sponsoring me' page on my website you will see a PayPal link where you can get the money to me safely and directly.
Also, here is a link to the official Marathon page: 

 http://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl/en/
 

Thank you so much to all who do and have done in the past. Always truly grateful. Sarah xxx

Marathon update

Back home in Manchester now after my adventure in Brighton,and I did think of it as an adventure. Alot hillier than I expected but so much to do.Brighton Rocks!Gorgeous view of the sea and the pier from our hotel and I got to see a fair bit of the place on my run. Fantastic to meet Joe at last and her lovely other half and sweet daughter. We all spent a wonderful evening together. Thank you very much to Joe and Starfish for the most beautiful t-shirt ever I wore it with pride and it is rather salty now but I shall wash it gently and put it in my treasure trove. Well I did it, I completed a marathon and although it didn't go exactly according to plan I am very happy to have done this. I thoroughly enjoyed the run,the atmos was terrific as it always is at these events I was doing brilliantly, I was running well and was making good time for the first half, 13 miles. Then at mile 15 developed pain in the back of my left leg,this got progressively worse throughout both of my legs with the odd twinge of cramp. I knew what it was straight away, salt depletion and I knew I would be walking most of the rest of the way by mile 21 I couldn't run at all and my fingers had all swollen up so I went to the nearby paramedics who gave me a couple of salty drinks then I was on my way again,keeping my hands in the air as advised. I managed to run the last 50 metres over the finish line to lots of cheers. Got unexpectedly emotional because after all my training, efforts etc I had hoped to do this in 4.5 hours not the full 6.Britain has been in a heatwave this past week and I just cannot run in the sun, just as I struggle to swim in warm water.All has to be cool-ish for me. However I did it and got my medal damn it! There were some poor souls worse off than me. My fingers were normal size again by 8.30 ish after a meal. Thanks to our lovely hotel staff for putting on an early breakfast for us. Thanks to Joe and her family for coming along to meet and support me. I hope your journey home was fine and didn't take too long. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored and supported me, it really does mean alot to me and does make a difference. At mile 16 a lady with a tannoy stopped me and gave a shout out for Starfish So thats phase 1 complete, now for the more important phase 2,collecting  sponsorship. So now I'm at the recovery and rebuilding of the body stage. Lots of rest, fluids and sleep.
        You can  visit our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Sarah-and-Joes-Brighton-Marathon-April-2011/120777117978635

To see an example of the  inititaives our fundraising helps, please visit Starfish   here:

 http://www.rutgerhauer.org/rutgerhauer.org/adoption/ldaproject.php

  Thank you so much for sponsoring me, I look forward to hearing from you  in the   future. We do make a difference together. xxx

One week to go......

This time next saturday I will be on my way to Brighton ;) I am traveling by train with my other half and we shall be staying there for 2 nights. I am really excited about the marathon and cannot wait! A good friend is traveling down to see me and offer her support. I am excited about that too as I haven't seen her in such a long while. Unfortunately there is some sad news I will be a lone runner in this race. Joe has had to postpone her race until next year. She has had various health issues which have mean't that she hasn't been able to train as she should for this year. I am sad for her but wish her all the luck for next year. Its a shame we can't be running together, her health has to come first and she is still coming to Brighton to meet me. I look forward to that. Take care Joe. So this weekend I shall collect all the things together I need to take with me so that I don't forget anything. My race number is 6369 and I am in the green wave. If you want to help HIV+ kids throughout the world and help me to help them please do sponsor me. I can't express how much I appreciate it and how much it is still needed. Thank you xxx Also yesterday I did my first vlog which is experimental and now on YouTube. I enjoyed it and hope to make it a regular thing. It could get addictive


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzlxcDKdcww

Have a good weekend everyone and keep smiling

Lots of Love Sarah xxx

The countdown is on...............

Yesterday, it arrived at last my information pack for the Brighton Marathon. Very exciting I am in the green wave and my number is 6369. Not that I think you have a hope of seeing me amongst the thousands of other runners, but you can try ;D The pack contained the usual stuff but also a rather large plastic bag. I am puzzled as to why they've sent us this. I mean, what are we supposed to do with it? Also we get a goodie bag on completing the run. Oh well, no doubt it will come in handy. My left knee is aching abit today but I'll be alright. I'm thinking positive as usual and well, 26 miles isn't that much is it? I also have a brightly coloured starfish hat for Joe. It matches my own and she can look silly right along side me. Take care people and remember to spread the word and also visit my website if you wish to sponsor me. xxx

One month to go...

Ah 10th March, this means it is exactly 1 month until I run in the Brighton marathon to raise much need funds for The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association. It is also my birthday 1 month after this event. Please consider giving me an early present by sponsoring me ♥ you can do this safely online by visiting my website.  I certainly do appreciate itand would also love it if you left a comment in my guestbook. Have a fab day and thank you! xxx http://sarahstracks.webplus.net/index.html

February 2011

Hi folks so sorry that I haven't blogged sooner. This place isn't quite as active as I'd hoped to keep it but to be honest I can't really think of anything much to say on the subject of running and training, especially since I have a website and Facebook page too. I shall try to think of something every now and then though. I hope everyone had a nice new year and that January was good to you. Incidently the countdown clock is wrong, it was some time before I noticed ;p It is actually 2 months and 7 days until 10th April. I am well into my training and enjoying it. I even enjoy running in the rain and have a fluorescent jacket so I can run in the evening. I enjoy that too. So I might one day actually run well and eat well and look good xxx

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a good one. It was a quiet affair for us this year remembering 2 people we've lost. As its my favourite season I made the best of it. Back home now and looking forward to the new year and New Year's Eve when we will be seeing Queen WWRY musical. I can hardly wait for that. I just want to wish you all a happy healthy and prosperous 2011.  Thank you for reading and for your constant support. I hope you have some great plans for the day/evening and some resolutions too. Lots of love from Sarah xxx