Some people don't know when to stop! Having completed the sprint distance London Triathlon last summer for CHIPs raising over £2000, Jo Winn-Smith (Caroline's sister-in-law) decided to go one step further and undertake that ultimate of challenges - the London Marathon...
Made it!
Jo started training back in November, and also had the fun of trying to secure a place, eventually getting one from a running club friend who had won his in the club ballot, but had seen how disappointed she'd been to not get in! Then began the hard work - running at least 3-4 times of week, including the traditional runner's Sunday long run which had to be done in the early hours of the morning so it could be fitted in before church!
Winter passed and she got the fittest she'd ever been, even winning her club's women's cross-country championships (though this might have been down to the fact that she was the only female club member to turn up on a cold, snowy February morning down in Kent!). Then disaster struck - all prepared to undertake her first fell race (also known as ridiculously difficult cross-country running), she discovered her achilles had succumbed to over-training! The following 2 months were spent carefully keeping the speed and distance down so as not to aggravate it. Fortunately Jo's triathlon training proved useful - a week's cycling in Italy with her tri club (cycling up to 100km most days) provided some crucial endurance training without adding further strain.
The big day came - 23rd April - the London Marathon - St George's day - Shakespeare's birthday - Roy's birthday! Setting off in the drizzle with her husband's work colleague, who also had an injury, they kept each other's spirits up and 'ran' the entire distance - taking in the fabulous sights and sounds, unlike any other race. Jo is proud to say that this time round she hopes to have raised well in excess of £500. She has also asked if she can have next year off!