Having never, ever, EVER had the desire to do a marathon before, about this time last year I completed my first half marathon in an ok-ish time and some how the seed was planted that maybe, just maybe, a marathon might be doable.

For those of you who saw me in the hours after completing that half marathon, when I could barely move, let alone walk, you might think this a foolish decision, but here I am... a month away from attempting my first full marathon in New York New York! (So good they named it twice!)

Training has been going pretty well and remarkably I have managed to get up to 20 miles in training.  The first 15 miles were great.  Miles 16 to 19 were painful.  Mile 20 was horrific.  But I did it, and I know that whatever happens, I am going to complete all 26.2 long and gruelling miles on 3rd November.

My reasons for taking on this challenge are multiple:

Firstly, I'm not what you would call a natural runner so this really is a personal physical challenge that is pushing me way beyond my comfort zone.  

Secondly, working at Cancer Research UK, I, on a daily basis ask people for money or support in some way or other, so it is important to me that I do my bit personally and put my money where my mouth is.

And finally, but most importantly of all, my family, like so many other families across the world have been directly affected by cancer.

On 20th July, a very special lady, my cousin Josephine, lost her fight with cancer.  

Josephine was a determined and tenacious lady who took on all the challenges that cancer threw at her with grace, dignity and such a positive attitude.  Even in the final few weeks before she died Josephine raised AS$32,000 for the Cancer Council Australia. 

I will also be running in celebration of the fight that another special cousin, Stephen, is going through.  Stephen is 36, only three years older than me and is currently undergoing treatment for liver cancer.

Josephine battled with cancer for many, many years.

Stephen is fighting cancer right now.

My run should take me in the region of 4 or so hours.  No matter how painful, gruelling and horrible, that's nothing in comparison to what Josephine went through and what Stephen is going through, and I will remember that with every step.

I believe that long term, research into cancer is the answer; it's the only way we are going to beat it.  Please, please, please give as generously as you can.  Not for me, but for Josephine, and Stephen and everyone else that is affected by this truly shocking disease.

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.