"Everything you ever wanted to learn about yourself, you can learn in 26.2 miles" -  Lori Culnane

I came across the above a long time ago  - possibly just before my first Marathon - and it certainly struck a chord. Sadly, a quick "Google" has revealed that it is - perhaps understandably - quite cliche. Anyhow.....

If anyone reading this page doesn't know that I love running, then I clearly don't sell myself well enough. 

As a child, I also loved to laugh (and still do to this day). The television was one stream of causes for such laughter. Amoung the several shows I had on video, and would watch endlessly, was "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em". Remember that timeless classic from the '70's? If not;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFLpwRMS00g

The man portraying the lovable Frank Spencer, that apparently some mothers do have, is long time brilliant actor and philanthropist Michael Crawford CBE. Existing for over 20 years now, he set up his charity to promote and financially assist multiple causes that support young children, particularly in health and welfare.

The charity doesn't maintain a website, but here are some links to information;

https://pavofundingnews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/the-michael-crawford-childrens-charity.html

http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/michael-crawford-childrens-charity

... and to an example of his work;

http://www.mcifa.com/sct.cfm

I have fundraised for several charities in the past. Many charities and causes need very large grants for meaningful work, and having an organisation that raises and directs funds make a different. Michael Crawford is an inspirational figure who certainly has certainly had an impact on many of us with his acting career, and I am honoured to support him.

Getting a place in the London Marathon is a privilege. This will be my second marathon (the first being again, London, two years ago), and training is already much more underway than it was at this stage - mid February - last time. An 18 mile run through blowing gales the day after running 3 times up the hill of Alexandra Palace Park in a cross country, I hope can be seen as some sort of commitment. From age 11, one of my running goals... well, life goals ever; was to run the 3 hour Marathon; so we will have to see how that goes.

Before I return to training, another quote, this being one I saw on the wall of a gym a couple of weeks ago;

"Sometimes I don't feel like running, but I run anyway".