Why oh why am I running the London Marathon?

I don't even like running.  Never have.  Tried many times and given up - I'd rather cycle, walk, ski, skate, horse ride, swim, cuddle a friendly panda bear, anything but running.  I firmly believe some people, like my lovely husband, are natural born runners.  Matt could not run for 10 years and still be able to pull on his trainers and run 10k just like that.  Annoying.

Then there are others who are much better at not running.  I class myself as a fantastic Marathon supporter; able to cheer, encourage and drink lovely lager for hours whatever the weather.  And after every Marathon there is a tiny part of me that thinks “wow I wish I could do that, I feel so inspired, those people are amazing”.  Then by Monday the crazy alcohol thinking has been replaced by a sore head and I forget all about it until the next year.

Right up until the point I trained as a Life Coach last year and I realised that the annual niggle never really fully goes away.  I also realised that I am simply going to have to do the flipping thing one year.  I’m not getting any younger so it won’t get any easier.  And I know so many people who have run it now and I so hate being the odd one out.

 I came home from my course, all excited, and told Matt, my supportive husband.  “Oh no” he said “You hate running”.  Fair comment, I couldn’t disagree.

Why Phab Kids charity?

I was very keen to run for a children's charity and the larger well known charities turned me down.  I think they were unimpressed with my fund raising potential as I had to put “housewife” on the form ... little do they know how amazingly generous my friends and family are!  But “Phab Kids” wanted me provided I guaranteed to raise £1500, gulp.  And that’s where you come in lovely, kind, generous friends.  Here’s what they do:

Phab aims to promote and encourage people with and without physical disabilities to come together on equal terms, to achieve complete integration within the wider community and to make more of life together.

Money raised through all your efforts will go to supporting a network of over 200 clubs. Phab clubs provide valuable support for families, and carers helping them overcome feelings of isolation. All members of the same family can belong to the same club and they are able to enjoy events and activities together and with others.

With your help we fund and organise the Phabkids residential holidays for disabled and non disabled children. Phab also encourages and helps support self reliance in young people and helps to enhance their living skills and abilities.

They have another comment on the website which struck me the most.

“[we are] raising money for people who would love to be able to run but are not able to do so”

Please give generously my lovelies.

How I'm getting on with the training

I get through the long runs by focusing on how much chocolate and cake I can justify eating afterwards and, when it gets really bad, just counting my steps (once an actuary ... ).  I will never be a natural runner, there’s nothing fast or stylish about my training and I use the term “running” very loosely.  Waddling is more apt.

I am following the “Runner’s World” training plan simply because it has the least amount of running in it and includes a massive 2 rest days a week!  I appear to have a dodgy foot so spent a small fortune on orthotics which have now given me a dodgy knee.  Which part of me will conk out next?  Answers on a postcard.

I haven’t made it to double figure mileage yet, at the time of writing on the 10^th Jan, but was delighted to manage 9 miles on Friday.  Delighted right up until the point when I realised that’s only just a third of the distance.  And it took forever.  Ho hum.  I’m hoping that seeing wodges of sponsorship appearing on my Just Giving page will help motivate me towards my goal.

Anyway I’ll shut up now and go and eat some chocolate (carb-loading!).  Here’s the official blurb at the end:

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.