As you may know I’m getting married in June.  Lots of tricky decisions need to be made between now and then.  Which means I need to get out of the house as often as possible or Pip and her mum won’t get anything done.  "I'm training for a marathon," was the best I could come up with, and I'm sticking to it.  It worked for Forest Gump and some would say I'm specialer than him in many ways.

OK, the serious part.  Eliot (big bro) and I will be raising money in memory of our aunt, Betty.  Betty passed away after developing motor neurone disease.  This disease can be deeply traumatic for both the sufferer and the carer.  Aunty Betty and Uncle Peter were given incredible support by the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham, which provides palliative care to people facing the end of their life.  This gives the full time carers the chance to recuperate whilst knowing their loved one is in safe hands.  In very difficult times, they made a very real difference.

The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice only receives 16% of its running costs from the NHS and relies upon the generosity of people like you.  This worthy establishment and its amazing staff give strength and dignity to vulnerable, sometimes scared patients and their families.  So please, contribute what you can and help.

Please also visit my big bro's page at http://www.justgiving.co.uk/eliotwilkinson and Chris' page (my cousin-in-law-thrice-removed-best-mates-nephew) at http://www.justgiving.co.uk/chrismurphyedinburghmarathon2010

Thank you!!!

10th May: It's the final countdown (da da daaaa daaaa, da da da daa daa etc)

Two weeks to go and frankly I'm terrified.  I've been pretty disciplined about the whole thing.  I've only missed runs through injury (ankle first, then knee - neither serious) but only got two really long runs in.  This worries me because I had to give up after 18 miles on one of those.  Still, I'd only be 8.2 miles short on race day...

Basically, I think my body's designed for half marathons.  Like a puppy haring around on the beach, I just can't stop myself going full-tilt.  While i can do that for 13 miles and get a pretty handsome time, the marathon requires a spot more restraint so as not to use up those valuable reserves of glycogen. 

Bearing that in mind I think I'm aiming for a slightly more realistic 3hrs 15 instead of the 3hrs i was dreaming of.  Having said that I'm still not sure I won't throw caution to the wind on the day.  We'll see. Either way, I'm still terrified.

Most importantly however, the sponsorship has come on a treat in recent days.  As I don't just want to list names I will get in touch with everyone personally to thank them.  You're all stars and I'm really grateful.  It is all going to a fantastic cause so well done and thank you for contributing.

2nd Feb: The case of the special case

Anyone who's been following Eliot's blogging will be sorely disappointed with my efforts.  Eliot is proving to be blogtastic.  I'm secretly envious but won't attempt to match it - I simply don't have interesting things happening that you'd want to read about week in, week out.  However, I am incredibly grateful to those who have donated money already and do want to show willing so think I'll jot down how it's going now and again.

For those friends who quite like seeing me suffer (you know who you are.  Edd.), you'll be pleased to know you are sponsoring me to get blisters.  At the current count it would appear you can provide me with a little pocket-of-pain for about £25 a pop (no pun intended, but quite like it anyway).

Other than that, the first two weeks have been fine.  Like Del, I went to a fancy shop that videoed me running on a tread mill.  They then show it back to you in slow mo.  I anticipated looking like the Hoff in his younger years but evidently I have 'super annuation' or something.  Without going into the science, this essentially means I look special.  Obviously I payed up straight away for top of the range trainers for their correctional properties.  I now look like a special case who cares about what they look like.

DJNJ - Thank you holmes.  Will be thinking of how we used to run away from the cops after raiding the banks in the Ghetto years.

Tom and Laura, bless your Scotty socks.  Really looking forward to seeing you in the 'Burgh.

Edd.  The first blister was yours, my friend.  Or 80% of it was.

Hevs; you star.  Will have to go easy on my first 'stag-do' which should save us some pennies in the long run (long run - get it...).

Smartypants, thank you!  You've been so kind by sponsoring all three of us.  Will be running for your dear aunty.  X

Mum and Richard - wow...  What a start!  Please may everyone follow their lead!?