On April 28th I'll be running the London Marathon (!) I'm doing this because I want to help raise some money to help my friend's 5-year old daughter Vicky see for longer. 

Vicky is gradually losing her sight as she has a rare disease called Leber Congenital Amaurosis - currently there is no cure, and it typically leads children to blindness by their late teens/early twenties. 

With your help, the sponsorship money I raise will go towards a research project (initiated by Vicky's parents) testing therapies to hopefully slow down the progression of the condition, and help children like Vicky see for longer.

Dan & I are in this together but not running together (he's way faster than me!) Here is his page: 
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dan-runs-for-vicky

**WEEKLY RUNNING UPDATES**

16/02/19: After a slow start to my training (I couldn't run at all for the last 3 months of 2018 due to a tendon issue) I've managed to get up to 10 miles in around 5 weeks. So I'm feeling pleased with the progress so far. I now need to keep gradually increasing my distances (next stop 12 miles) but also try to push my pace a bit harder with some interval training.

23/02/19: A successful 12 mile run up in Cheshire - took just over two hours.

3/03/19: Set out on a 14 mile run along the river from Putney to Kew but had to abort around 6 miles because wasn't feeling well...hoping to re-attempt 14 miles this week so I don't fall back on my schedule!

10/03/19: After a week of flu and zero running, managed a slow 14 miles along the river. 

17/03/19: took part in the Victoria Park half marathon & finished in 2hrs13 - pretty pleased with this!

24/03/19: went against the guidelines and jumped to 18 miles this week. Very sore and swollen ankles afterwards and struggled to walk for the next day or two...now I completely understand why they say to only increase by a max of 10% each week! :-(

31/03/19: in Shanghai for business and the air pollution meant an outdoor long run was off the cards...so did 15 miles on the gym treadmill, boring but was keen to get a long one in.

05/04/19: did 20 miles the day after I landed back. Not a bad run but definitely felt the effects of still being a bit dehydrated and jetlagged from the long flight. 

13/04/19: final long training run at 22 miles and a decent one in 4hrs11. To add the challenge it was my first outing in a new pair of running shoes (!) but pleased to say they helped rather than hindered the run. No major aches or pains afterwards, feeling pretty ready for the big day in two weeks! Now for tapering and carb loading... 

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