James Dolan

Training Milestone: First Half Marathon Done! 🏅🎉

Today was supposed to be my long run—a scheduled 1 hour 45 minutes on my marathon training plan. But something exciting happened…

Before the time was up, I glanced at my watch and realized I’d already hit 20km! With just 1km to go, there was no way I was stopping there—I pushed on and completed 21.1km to officially tick off a half marathon! 🏃‍♂️🔥

Not only that, but I clocked it in 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 26 seconds—a pretty speedy effort for a training run! My pace is improving, and hitting this milestone 10 weeks before race day gives me a huge confidence boost. 💪

Massive thanks to everyone supporting my journey—whether through donations, kind words, or encouragement. Every bit of motivation helps me push further!

🙏 If you’d like to support my fundraising for London’s Air Ambulance, here’s the link:
👉 https://fundraising.londonsairambulance.org.uk/fundraisers/jamesdolan

Next stop: full marathon mode! 🏁

#HalfMarathon #MarathonTraining #RunningMilestone #RunnerLife #TrainingProgress #LondonMarathon #PushingLimits #RunningCommunity #MindOverMatter #FitnessJourney #Fundraising #KeepGoing

Pushing limits! 16km done, half a marathon next? 🤷🏼

Because running a marathon isn't enough....

🏃‍♂️💨 Big News! I've decided that one marathon just isn’t enough… so I’m adding a BONUS race to my training! 🎉

Not only am I running the London Marathon this April in support of London Air Ambulance, but I’ve now signed up for the Brentwood Half Marathon in March too! That’s 13.1 miles of extra sweat, sore legs, and determination – all to help raise vital funds for this life-saving service. 🚁❤️

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already donated – your support means the world to me and is making a real difference. 🙌 Your generosity is fueling my training (and possibly my need for extra blister plasters! 😅).

I’ve set myself a fundraising target of £2,500, and I need your help to get there! Every pound donated will push me through training, past the blisters, and (hopefully) across both finish lines! 🏅

If you’d like to sponsor me and support an incredible cause,I'd be so grateful. 🙏

Thank you all so much – and wish me luck! (Or send me new running shoes… I’m going to need them! 😂)

#LondonMarathon #BrentwoodHalfMarathon #RunningForAirAmbulance #DoubleTheChallenge #SupportTheCause

Another Week, Another Long Run... With a Twist of Fog and Bird Poop?

This week’s long run took a turn for the dramatic. The goal was 1 hour and 20 minutes, and after hitting 10.2km last week in 58:44, I felt pretty confident... until I remembered that extra 20 minutes hanging over me like a fog (literally and figuratively).

Stepping outside, I was greeted by a scene straight out of The Exorcist. It was cold, foggy, and the kind of morning where every shadow makes you think you’re about to be haunted. The mist was thick, the air was chill, and I half expected to see someone run past me... but nope, just my own breath hanging in the air like a ghost.

But here’s the twist: as I’m running, the fog's hanging low, and every so often, I feel something cold drop onto my head. "What the heck?" I think, wiping it off—until I realize it's dew drops from the trees. For a moment, I actually thought I was dodging bird poop. I mean, you can’t rule anything out on a foggy run like that, right? 🤷‍♂️

Still, I powered through, and to my surprise (and delight), I ended up completing 14km in the allotted time! Maybe I’m not a marathon runner yet, but hey, that’s a third of the way there! I'll take it as a win—and be extra grateful for no bird-related incidents along the way.

A massive thank you to everyone who’s supported me so far! Your donations and encouragement mean the world. If you’d like to join the cause, I’d love your support.

Next week’s challenge? Hopefully fewer bird poop scares, but I’m ready for whatever comes my way! 😅👟💨

Tales of the unedxpected

And we're off

Here we go!

Help Me Honor My Father and Support London Air Ambulance!

As I prepare to run the London Marathon 2025, I’m not just lacing up my trainers—I’m also honoring the memory of my father and raising funds for an incredible cause: the London Air Ambulance.

Many people mistakenly believe that this life-saving service is funded by the NHS, but in reality, it relies entirely on donations from generous supporters like you. Every contribution helps ensure that paramedics and doctors can reach patients in critical need, providing life-saving care within minutes. They are the difference between life and death in emergencies across London, and their work is nothing short of extraordinary.

My father and I had a complicated relationship, often feeling like we were from different worlds. We struggled to connect, especially when I left home and came out as gay. I feared his reaction, but when I finally shared my truth, he surprised me by embracing it. Over the years, we grew closer, building a bond I never thought possible.

After he passed away very suddenly, while going through his belongings, I discovered newsletters from the London Air Ambulance. My brother shared that my dad had become a supporter after a heartfelt conversation with one of their campaigners. It illuminated a side of him I hadn’t fully known—his kindness and commitment to helping others in need.

Though I wish I had the chance to know him better, I’m filled with pride as I run this marathon in his honor. Your support will help ensure that the London Air Ambulance can continue its vital work, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Please consider donating to this worthy cause. Together, we can honor my father’s legacy and support a service that embodies compassion and hope. Thank you for your generosity!I will be taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2023 running with the London's Air Ambulance Charity Team. Please give what you can to help save lives in London.