garethEds

Thanks everyone - we have a 3 year old in tow here. So walking is a toughie - but we will be walking. As for the Oyster Card - can I get a two day one? Is it cheaper to get one rather than paying for a day ticket? Battersea Park is a bit away from the hotel. I will be at Battersea Park on the Saturday for marathon trsaining with Runners World.

MDT2013 is the dogs b****** - I love it.

Hi Guys, Anyone on here from Battersea? I'm staying up there this week and am wondering where there is to eat for two adults and a three year old? Not necessarily pubs - but Harvesters etc. Anywhere where I might find some vouchers online Also - what travel options are there to get into London on the Thursday and Friday? We are going the museums on Thursday (Natural History and Science) and then the Eye and Sea life Centre on the Friday. What is the best way to get there from Battersea and what is the cheapest way of doing it? We are booking into the Rainforest Cafe on the Friday evening - after the Eye and Sea Life Centre (Any vouchers people know of?) Any advice welcome from those that know better. I'm driving up and parking at the hotel - so the car is safe. I don't really want to drive into Central London. Gareth

As you guys know I am running the Paris Marathon. To raise money locally I am hosting a raffle. I've managed to secure some rugby tickets and hospitality and wondered if there were any Tech companies out there that would consider donating something for the raffle? iPod? iPad? digital camera? lol - all monies will be going to CISS - a local cancer support charity. Get in touch if you can help, Regards Gareth

Agree with Syn' - everyone hates teachers but I refuse to feel guilty about the holidays or pay I get compared to others. It's the path I chose and I was successful at getting here. The majority of teachers work hard (even during the holidays). The people who generally have a go at teachers are the ones who haven't got a clue. My mother is one of them :-) Take it in the amusing way it was probably intended. GJE

JUst thought I'd pop in to let you know how things are going. Last Saturday saw me at the ASICS Store in London where we were given £500 to spend on kit and trainers. What a day. Can be read about here: ASICS Target 26.2 – Day 1 – Store Day (The Story so Far) - The Running Geek Training started this week with my first 4 week plan appearing here: ASICS Target 26.2 – Training Plan (Sub 5) – First 4 Weeks - The Running Geek - it will appear 4 weeks at a time. We are now into the 16 week countdown to the marathon on 6 April. This week has been good so far. The weather not too great for running but I've managed to get out. Yesterday I took delivery of a new Garmin 620 watch - a gift from Garmin and Runners World. The freebies do not stop there - we have some ASICS body skins on the way and we've been told new trainers 6 weeks before the marathon. So with this in mind I have to say thank you to everyone who voted (several times) and got me to where I am at the moment. Maybe one day in another thread I will tell you what this means to me at this moment in my life. All I'll say is that I needed this right now. Best wishes and a merry Christmas Gareth

Well I don't care whether it is XMas or Christmas - I hope you all have a good one and enjoy your two weeks with whoever you have around you. Time goes so quickly so we need to enjoy it and not worry about words. Just sit back and relax. Merry Christmas/XMas everyone. Gareth

For those interested the links are as follows: The link to the final 5 is here: Runner's World UK The link to the Target 26.2 hub is here: Runner's World UK The blurb from the local paper is here: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Gareth-Edmondson-wants-votes-enter-Paris-Marathon/story-20299288-detail/story.html Next step is a visit to London this Saturday to the ASICS Flag Ship Store on Oxford Street. I guess now I am sponsored by ASICS. Here I will be meeting my coach - Sam Murphy and devising a plan as well as more gait analysis and some kit for the running. Wow. Gareth

Right then guys - here's the news. Sorry I've been slow getting it to you. I did indeed win the public vote - so thanks to everyone for that. At 1:30pm this afternoon I took a phone call from Runners World asking me to be part of the ASICS Target 2014 team - training for the Paris Marathon in 2014 (April 6th). I will be representing the Sub 5 hour category so that gives me a 30 minute window to finish the run. I now have to travel to London on Friday afternoon for a morning at the ASICS Flagship store on Oxford street where I am told we will be kitted out for the training. I am also meeting my coach - Sam Murphy and she will devise a plan for me to get me there. I'm humbled by the support I've had through you guys and cannot thank you enough. I hope you will stay with me for the journey both through my blog and through the Runners World website (and my Twitter feed). Best wishes and thanks again, Gareth

Come on - I need to win. Bring it home for me guys.\ GJE

Why? She is making use of her social contacts. I've no idea how she managed to collect over 200 votes on a Sunday evening at around 9pm. It was amazing to watch. Gareth

Fellow Edugeekers, I am overwhelmed by your support. It's now the final push. We have received an email today telling us voting closes at 12pm tomorrow afternoon. I think I mentioned the email last week about multiple IP addresses etc etc - still PollDaddy polls seem open to abuse. It's going to be interesting to see how they deal with multiple IP votes - especially if someone wins the vote but doesn't get chosen. So here we go. Final push. Thank you everyone. I really to appreciate it and have to say again that I am overwhelmed by your support. Gareth

Bump-de-bump I'm losing.

Come on everyone - she is catching me. I'm only 107 ahead. I was 230 at one point. Is she cheating? LOLOL. Gareth

GUys'n'Gals - she is catching me - I was over 200 ahead and now I'm getting less. Arghghgh. Help me. Gareth

Right - I think I've thanked everyone so far. Support is amazing. Gareth

Thanks everyone. Keep going - I'm not sure of the criteria they are going to chose the winner on - if it's on votes then I'm hoping I'll still be in the lead by Tuesday but the second place is catching me up. :-( I'll go through thanking everyone's post as soon as possible. Gareth

Thanks everyone for the support.

I'm well impressed with the banner at the top of the Edugeek page. I cannot thank you enough for that. Gareth

We were all sent an email today from Runners World telling us that they log IP address so multiple ones will be removed and counted as one vote. Seems a shame really as I could in theory get 750 pupils to vote for me from school but as we use two IP addresses through the LEA then I guess only two votes would count. Gareth

Thank you and for the tweet. I'm in the lead but 50 away from 1000

I'm in third place. I was first this morning. Come on Edugeekers.... Help me..... Gareth

Tuesday.

Thanks everyone. Really appreciated.

Come on...... Pleeeeeeease...... Gareth