Abbeyfords In The Community

Barry's Final Training Update

Hi All,

Since the last update, I’ve been a lazy fat boy and done nothing on the training front. I was due to do a 10 mile stint over the weekend but felt a twinge in my left calf so decided to rest rather than risk picking up an injury so close to the big event.

I can’t believe that the final build up week has come and I’m getting a bit twitchy; everyone I speak to wants to know how its going and the number of calls and emails I’m getting at the moment has taken me by surprise. But, I really do appreciate all your support.

It’s been a rollercoaster on the press coverage front as I had some bad news on the Daily Mirror feature - Fiona called me late on Wednesday to explain that the Daily Mirror is going through a re-launch, which has been brought forward by 2 weeks and the editor has already locked down all the stories for the next 2 weeks, so mine won’t be included. I felt that this was such a shame as I was looking forward to you all reading our story - Fiona captured Joanne perfectly and described our journey through life together so well. However, I have a copy of the full feature and the piccies from the photo shoot as a consolation.

I had just about accepted that I will cherish these and will have something to share with the children as they grow up and start asking questions about their mum when I found out that the Mirror hope to run our story on Monday 14 April so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it appears.

But in the meantime, I would like to share the story with you; I think it’s written beautifully and although I’ve read it about 50 times, I still get emotional – hope you enjoy a snapshot of Joanne and my story.

Also, here is the link to the piccies from the photo shoot, just cut and paste into your internet browser, there’s also some of Joanne in there as well. The pictures for the feature would have been chosen from these:

http://runforjoanne.spaces.live.com/photos/

The Liverpool Echo ran a feature on local runners doing the London marathon on Wednesday 9th April and I was included, which prompted a real run (forgive the bad pun!) on raffle tickets, particularly at Liverpool City Council, where Lesley Wright has kindly taken a further 40 books to sell. The article can be viewed here.

So what have I got planned for the rest of the week? Well, one of my kind donators (Pam) has offered me a leg massage, so looking forward to that and on Friday I’m spending the day as a primary school student at the Childrens’ school, where they are holding a sports day and everyone is coming in dressed in sports kit for a donation of £1.00 towards the fund. Looking forward to my school dinner - hope its semolina as I haven’t had this for years!! The school has been fantastic in supporting the fundraising campaign led by Abbeyfords, I can’t thank them both enough!

Thanks again for all your support; Joanne would be really proud of you all.

Barry