Dear all,

Where do I begin....  On the 29 September 2013, I will be running the Half Marathon for Nottingham Mencap.  Wow they are right, I feel better now I have said it out loud.

This might appear to be an easy task to lots, however let me tell you how this journey began... 

In July I was challenged to accomplish this task, to which I accepted with youthful enthusiasm (only later remembering I am no longer Youthful), I immediately set about reading everything I could about running and I learnt, 90% is Mental and 10% is physical and over the period of July and August, I got the mental bit licked.

On Friday 30 August, I received an email from one of my team members saying 30 days to go... to which I nearly had a heart attack, how had such a stupid idea come around so quickly.

On the 1 September I attended my local Gym for a PT session, which I am ashamed to say I had never visited before and I was given a gruelling one hour session and I ran, I ran a whole 400 meters... (1/33) of a half marathon. 

Eight sessions on what has changed, well I can still only run 400 meters, however I have given up alcohol, Carbohydrates and caffeine since the 1 September and I also have hypnotherapist sessions to help me stop smoking .

Please give generously to this great charity who assists people with Learning difficulties and their families and if you are not inspired by the run, be inspired by the fact I have so far lost half a stone and I have gone with the great things in a day that make you happy (Donuts, Beer, Cigs, Crisps etc).

Many thanks and I look forward to seeing as many as possible of you on the finish line.

Lastly, I do need to say Thank you to Rebecca Deaville who organised this for the casino, as she not only has got me running but also an additional 34 staff members.  Thank you

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.