Hi all, its the running grandma, YES! I never learn, I am not ready for the slippers and knitting squares just yet! I have a marathon to run in April. My training has started and how I look forward to Monday's my day of rest after the long Sunday run. I am asked why at 51 would I put myself through the miles of running and sometimes injury, my answer is that I run for those who cant.

Next times you feel under the weather or like me have a wee niggle or injury please spare a thought for our injured servicemen and women who have lost their limbs, lost their sight, or been badly burned and I am sure like me you will put your injury in perspective.

I have just joined Help for Heroes as one of their volunteer co-ordinators  and would be thrilled if you would consider sponsoring me.

Our servicemen and women give more, risk more and sacrifice more, so please support them and Help our Heroes.

The charity is non political,it was launched in response to the desire of ordinary people who wanted to do something practical to help our wounded servicemen and women.

If you would like to know more about the charity and see how the money raised has been spent, www.helpforheroes.org.uk  I can also be contacted on catherine.ross@h4hcounty.org.uk     If you would like to fund raise in other ways

Thank you for your donation and here's to hundreds of miles before April and my big smile when I cross the finish line

Catherine x

12TH OF APRIL 2009

MY MARATHON JOURNEY IS NEARLY OVER AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GRAHAM AND OUR SONS, BARRY, GARETH, STEFANO AND OUR DAUGHTER IN LAW EMILY FOR THEIR SUPPORT. THESE PAST 6 MONTHS HAVE SEEN MANY UP'S AND DOWNS AND I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT MYSELF, I REALISE YOUR NEVER TOO OLD TO HAVE DREAMS, SOMETIMES YOU THINK THESE DREAMS ARE IMPOSSIBLE, I BELIEVE NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, MY DAD TOLD ME WHEN I WAS SMALL THAT I COULD BE ANYTHING I WANTED TO, I WISH I HAD LISTENED TO HIS WORDS, IT HAS TAKEN ME 51 YEARS TO UNDERSTAND HE WAS RIGHT. THIS MORNING EASTER SUNDAY  MY EARLY MORNING RUN I RAN UP THROUGH CRATHES CASTLE, IT WAS SUCH A LOVELY DAY, I STOPPED TO LOOK AT THE VIEW AND THANKED GOD FOR MY BLESSINGS, I NOTICED A BENCH, WHICH A LADY'S FAMILY HAD DONATED IN HER MEMORY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN 51 THE SAME AGE AS ME HAD SHE NOT DIED, HER JOURNEY SADLY WAS OVER AND I FELT BLESSED THAT I STILL HAD MINE TO LOOK FORWARD TO. HERE WAS I THE SAME AGE ABOUT TO RUN A MARATHON, I HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND CHILDREN AND THE GREATEST BLESSING OUR GRANDCHILDREN MATILDA AND NATHANIEL I KNOW I AM A VERY LUCKY WOMEN. KEEP THE DREAM!