Team Hocking Marathon Attempt by TeamHocking

So we did it! Yesterday we all finished the London Marathon. We found it tough, particularly with the heat, and Tom who was still suffering from tonsillitis. Some of us were disappointed with our times but we all got round the 26.2miles which was the main aim! Despite all this it was a fantastic day - We were interviewed by Jonathon Edwards for the BBC in the morning (but don't think it was shown), the crowd were fantastic, the other PDS runners were great and it was a real relief to finally cross the finish line and collect our medals.

But perhaps more importantly, we have raised over £10,000 for the Parkinson’s Disease Society which we’re really pleased about.

So thank you to everyone who has supported us and sponsored us. Its been a roller coaster journey but we're really chuffed with what we've achieved and while we might not do the London Marathon again we will hopefully keep on running!

Hi all

Firstly thank you very much for all your donations to the Parkinson’s Disease Society and for supporting Team Hocking’s Marathon attempt. We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and have so far raised over £9700!

Our training hasn’t exactly gone to plan with various injuries and illness over the last few months, and Tom currently has a nasty bout of tonsillitis and spent a few days at the beginning of the week in hospital….. But he is feeling a little better now and we will all be lining up at the start tomorrow and are determined to make it through the 26.2 miles!

We also just wanted to let you know that we are being interviewed at 9am tomorrow by Jonathon Edwards as part of the BBC’s London Marathon coverage – this will be aired live on BBC 1 so look out for us if you’re watching!

We’ll let you know how we get on.

Best Wishes
Team Hocking

Sarah

The last few weeks haven’t exactly gone to plan…..we have all had colds and sickness bugs and now Tom has got a bad case of tonsillitis and is currently in hospital on a drip……. Not exactly the best start to running 26.2miles!

On a positive note, we have now reached and are exceeding our fundraising target! We currently have around £8800 for the Parkinsons Disease Society which is a really fantastic amount – I wonder if we could make it £10,000…….

Anyway, at the moment we are really hoping that we all get to the start line on Sunday - so please keep your fingers crossed that Tom recovers enough to be there.

Sarah

Yesterday Debs, Hannah and I set off on a 20mile run. It was another hot day and I’ve got a good sun burnt outline of my running top on my today. We used the 10 minute run, 5 minute walk strategy and managed to keep an even pace for the first 12miles. We got a bit slower for the next 4 miles. And then being a kind sister, I ditched the others at 16miles and then ran the next 4 miles back (not that they were much further behind me!). So it took me 4 hours to do 20 miles. I felt ok but my legs felt really stiff for the last few miles and I think I would’ve found the next 6 miles tough. Anyway I’m glad I finally have 20miles under my belt and am feeling a little more positive about the marathon now – only 3 weeks to go now!