My Forum

Andreia, RE: Ebay item - Apec is a genuine charity, I ran for them back in 2001, but I got my place through the charity runners clearing house.

I dont know if that ebay item is a scam (i.e. not actually from APEC) and I cant comment on wether they should be able to sell on ebay (if it is genuine).

All I can say is that there is a genuine charity called APEC (action on Pre-Eclampsia).

Well done G&T, so pleased that you acheived your goal and enjoyed it - it just goes to show that putting the training in pays off in the end, well done!

I did a 10k on sunday morning....didn't feel like it as I spent all of Saturday in A&E with the mother-in-law as she has a dodgy foot and couldn't walk - my wife is a nurse and had been telling her to go to A&E all week for an x-ray....she wouldn't go, then eventually phoned the out-of-hours Dr who recommended A&E so she went...wasting our Saturday in the process!  Did my 10k in 1hr 6, which is my constant time for 10k - last did this race about 6 years ago!  However, I  didn't walk on sunday, which for me was a huge improvement of mind-over-matter, as I definately wanted to walk!

Went to running club last night but wimped out of running - they did the 5k park run last night and I knew I'd be last (no change, but confidence lacking at the moment) and my legs were sore from Sunday, so I just watched.  My friend who I've been taking to club for a few weeks (who supposedly runs at my pace) did it in 20minutes!!!!!!  I was gobsmacked!  I said he had another 10 minutes to kill before it was my pace!  20 minutes!  Brilliant!

Went back to the meeting point and squeezed the remaining sponsorship out of the last few people.  We've paid in £2401 so far, and still have another couple hundred to come in.  Our target was £2500, so we're well pleased.  Going to the charity on Friday for a photo with one of those "big" cheques, but they will only write the figure we've paid at the time, so it wont show the true final figure.  Thank-you again to those of you on the forum who sponsored us.

Well done to everyone again for keeping going, and now the summers here it should make the evening runs easier (easier to get out and start, not nesecarily easier to run) and also more enjoyable.

Take care,

Kev

Hi Alex,

Sounds like you're nearly done, another marathon task out of the way!

In reply to your comments earlier about not taking money for postage, so you cant be accused of making anything from it....

So what if you did make something out of it?  If you weren't doing this, and a company was, a lot of people would happily pay more then the minimum £7 you asked for, and that company would definately make a profit from it!  Think of all the time you've put in and the production costs (i.e. media, electricity, postage) - so even if you only covered your costs and didn't get anything for your time, I think people would have a hard time questioning your motives - especially considering the main money goes direct to the charity!

You ran again this year...did you get sponsored for that?  If so, the charity have already had "your bit" for them.

I know you won't accept any money for postage etc, but think next year you should either do so, or set the minimum donation to at least £10 (or a figure based on £7 plus real costs involved?).

Thanks again, top bloke!

Kev

Contoversial statement coming up, but its one that I am sure applies to some people:

Is the desire for a cut-off time coming from quicker runners who can't get in through the ballot and don't want to raise money for a GB place?

The theory being, if there are less "walkers", then more places would be freed up for the runners, and then those that dont want to raise money for charity might get in?

I've definately "felt" this attitude elsewhere on the forum.  Let me also say, I dont agree with it!

If you want to run FLM, you will find a way - if that way involves a GB place, then so be it - if you want it enough, you'll do it.  However, I agree that you shouldn't "have to" raise money to get in, but sadly thats the way it is.

Also, be carefull with cut-off times - if you just qualify, it means you'll be at the back, and then if they tighten up in the future, you're out!

don't you mean "ok on the night!" ?

Did my 10k on Sunday - killer upwards hill, then a tricky descent due to stones etc.  I wasn't last (I was last in the 10 mile race I did in Jan!) I overtook 2 people at the very end, they werent impressed!

Shins been playing up since, so didn't go to club on Tuesday and will probably rest till Sun or Mon before I run.  Having a SHIT time at work, and really busy out of work, so I'm physically drained and will probably end up with injury soon!

Been sorting through the sponsorship money thats starting to come in.  The projected total at the moment is just over £2600, but we have to see if everyone coughs up!

My Hospice lady is ignoring my contact attempts to ask for a place for flm09, so if I dont hear tomorrow I'll approach the Calvert Trust again - would gladly raise more money for them.

Doubt we'll see Borg on here any more, although he has entered the ballot I don't think he's gonna be back, but I may be wrong.