I'm a very proud wicked step mother!

Ok, so I'm not quite so wicked (not all the time anyways!) but I am a very proud step mum!!

This weekend my step daughter Lauren, attempted and succeeded in running her very first marathon. The London Marathon!

When she told us after running 10 miles in the Great South Run in October 2014; that she had applied and been accepted to run the marathon, I was shocked to say the least!  But so very pleased for her, a big tick off the bucket list right there.

Lauren started running last year and has just smashed it completely!  We are so so proud of her. What an achievement. 

Lauren has raised almost £3000 for the National Autistic Society, in honour of one of her friends beautiful daughters.  Here is her link if you'd like to have a read and of course, any donations most welcome!!! https://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Barcroft2/

We went with Lauren to the start of the race, as far as we could, and she was surprisingly calm for someone about to run 26 miles. Time for a quick snap with both parents and step parents and she was through the gates and ready for the off!

Lauren smashed her first 10k in just over an hour and certainly kept us busy running around London after her. (Please note, I did not take part in any running!) We tracked her on the marathon app and managed to monitor her progress while cheering everyone else as well along the way.

We met up with Lauren's friends and saw a fleeting glimpse of her running past at mile 14. Just after the half way mark this picture was taken - we were able to cheer her on and supply painkillers and drinks on the way.  

The noise around London was deafening, so much support for our special runner, our friend and our family.  Wherever we were, even if we couldn't see the runners, we could hear the roar of the cheerers. London you did us proud!

We then managed to catch her again at around mile 21 and despite the tears (from us all, not just Lauren) she soldiered on and smashed through the finish line at 5 hours 17 minutes.

Well what can I say.... Lauren we are so proud of you, you set yourself an enormous challenge and you have well and truly smashed it. Watching you run around London was just amazing and truly humbling. What you can do when you set your mind to it has no limits, you've proved this.  

You are an amazing person, one I am so glad to know and love and so proud to call you part of my family. You are an inspiration and truly my hero.

So go on people, if that's not worth a couple of quid in late sponsorship, I don't know what is!  

Thank you to all our friends and family who have donated, you've certainly spurred Lauren on to achieve her goal. But truthfully, it was all down to Lauren. She's the one who has worked two jobs while studying for her uni place, taken time out to run and really train and to finish the London Marathon. Massive respect lady and big big love!!  The champers is on me ❤️❤️ 

Love you xxxxx