Vote Mel first timer

Wow....how amazing....what an incredible experience!!!....Bootcamp was great but this is just fab!!!!

Thought I would share a bit more about myself other than the 150 words we had to submit.

I have 3 teenage daughters, the hormones rocket in our house at times, hence the fact I love to go out on long runs where no one can get hold of me!!!....My husband passed away recently and running is what has kept me grounded through my grief. 

I am a team leader at a children's hospice. Its not all doom and gloom and we have a strong focus laughter and living life to the full. Of course we have stressful times, but the amazing support off a strong team is what gets you through. 

Life is short and precious, every moment should be appreciated and lived with laughter and love.

I met amazing people on bootcamp, and am pretty gutted I am in the same catagory as such lovely guys!!!!.....But hey.....its all great and lets just wait and see....!!!!!...

You sound like a totally amazing lady and my heart goes out to you!

Why do you want to run a marathon?  (specifically that distance?  Why not another half for example)

Hi Mel, great job you have!

I run sometimes to raise money for my local childens hospice. It's an inspiring place. Good luck to you x

Hi Mel

you seem to have had a couple of tough years.........

3 teenage daughters .....the only thing that makes coping with 3 teenage sons is the thought that they could have been girls

you seem to be jumping from a half to a full pretty quickly.....what is your longest run so far and biggest weekly mileage

Hey Mel,

I just wanted to say good luck, it was great to meet you at the bootcamp. Apologies for not saying it sooner but it's taken me a while to get on top of the threads!

Aaron.

Hi Mel,  I think of all the inspirational stories i have read during this competition I think yours is the most touching.  I wish you all the best and hope you get to fulfill your running ambitions in Paris.

Hi Mel. You're in a tough group, but I voted for you. Good Luck .

What lovely words from you all.....

Yeh its been a tough few years, but you have to just get on with it!!!....and through the pants stuff we have had a lot of laughs too!!!.....

My average weekly milage is between 21 and 30 miles depending on what the week has in store and how hormonal the girls are!!.... My running had shot up over the last 10 weeks as I am running for me now...... as Martin got more poorley I ran less......! Why not another half Sleep bear asked.???.... In a matter of weeks after Martin passed away I was running the Great South, then onto my first half.....I have other halfs coming up, but other than getting PB,s I want more challenges!!!.....I aim to do 4 marathons next year, ( loch ness being one of them...) my first triathlon and Fan Y Big......why not....I can!!!....I have a big space in my life to fill and I figure running challenges are better than huge amounts of alcohol and cake!!!.....

Fair play to you!  It's a fantastic way to honour his memory!

if you have any advice on the loch ness then fire away....notice you have done it already...( sleepy bear) 

It's a beaut MJ - just don't get caught up in all the dripping about the hill up to Dores (or Foyers I can't remember which) - it's more of a drag than a hill as I remember it! Just do plenty of hill work and you probably won't even notice it. 

And you get a lovely long gentle downhill into Inverness afterwards before you turn back onto the river to the finish. 

The view across the loch will certainly take your mind off the first half of the race! Plus the year I did it - they had little cakes and jaffa cakes at the drinks stops - I had a right old picnic on my way round.

I'm sure you'll have a ball! I hope so anyway!

Wonderful determination - you have my vote Mel - good luck ...

Morning

 what do you think you can gain from the forums and what do you think you can give to the forums

These forum things are new to me.....!!! I've benefited so much just in the few days I have been using it!!.....didnt realise how much I was missing out on...!!...Especially Jens granola recipe!!......I guess you get out of a forum as much as you want to put in...thats the beauty of it....its a partnership between fellow running souls......!!!..... 

Makes running to the top of the hill worth it when you look back on where you've just been!!!!....the small dot of a person running in white is my sister who is training for her 36th Marathon having just had a 12 week old baby!!!!...... Go Jade!!!!!......

Hope you have all had a good run today!!!!

Amazing view. Views like that make the miles ran seem extra special!

I don't think I had the chance to meet you at boot camp. I hope you've been enjoying the voting process so far. Good luck!

its all a bit scary really!!!!......but no i dont think I met you either...although sure our paths crossed maybe over the lunch line......How are you finding it all???.......oh yes your the amazing Great Wall of China marathon man!!!....

I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole experience....it's very intense and full-on........but I think I prefer it that way. I think like everybody, I'm in a very tough a group, so we will have to see what happens come Thursday. I'm definitely a less stubborn runner for the experience - and will definitely reach out to those more experienced than me for help.

You wouldn't be calling me amazing if you saw me with my vomit down myself later on in the race!