Marathon number 3 completed .............toughest yet

Today was marathon number 3 in Limerick. First of all I would like to thank 4 very special people who without them I would have struggled to finish.  Thank you to Michelle, Bernie, Anna and Tina.

Yesterday I learned that a friend of ours is having health problems. This was like being struck by a bolt of lightening.  I was suddenly taken back to 12 months ago when Pat was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.  The chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, feeding tubes, struggling to eat.....  I really questioned doing the marathon this morning.

I met the girls in Adare and we headed into the city. As we got out of the car, a very nice gentleman came up and asked which one of us was Brenda. He congratulated me and said that he was following my progress on Facebook. We met him afterwards and both him and his friend kindly made a donation.  Can't believe we never actually asked him his name,  this is so not like the girls......

Tina ran the first leg with me, Michelle the second (Michelle missed her bus to her changeover point and had to get a Garda escort, complete with blue flashing lights), Anna the third and Bernie the fourth.

Today was a struggle, not physically, my legs were absolutely fine, but mentally I struggled constantly wondering why, why do people have to suffer.  My family didn't let me down they were there all the way but no matter how much support, there was no smiles as I ran the 26.2 miles.

My challenge is to run 12 marathons in 8 months, this is exactly what I am going to do,  3 done and only 9 to go.  People keep telling me that I am brilliant for what I am doing, I fail to agree,  I have the easy part and all that involves is a 4 hour run every few weeks.

This is about fundraising for cancer research. It won't help Pat, hopefully it will help others.

Four weeks to marathon number 4 which is in Cork,  I am looking forward to heading to Cork for something other than a hospital appointment with Pat.  The start of this week will be relatively easy and then back into training............

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