I am doing my bit for the trainer industry, dusting down the lycra and having a go at the 2010 London Marathon. 

When I started running into work during the last summer it dawned on me, one epiphanic morning on the Millenium Bridge, that actually London isn't that bad a city. There are some decent sights on offer and numerous 'urban trails' for running - we spend far too much time underground! So what better way to test the old lungs than spending it within 26.1 miles of our fair capital.

I was fortunate enough to secure a place through Investec, but I have chosen to run for the War Child charity. As some of you may know and have experienced through rants/pub quizes etc I have an interest in the developing world and the places that are a bit rougher around the edges. War Child helps exploited children of war zone countries such as DR Congo, Uganda, Iraq and Afghanistan and aims to give them a chance at enjoying and progressing through their younger years. As a country with involvement, either through the military, business or commonwealth with these nations, we have a duty to help them out in times of need. War Child are a modern, progressive charity who are active on the ground and have used avenues like music to project their message. I am sure you can all agree that we are fortunate to live where we live, well.... Except for those of us from Luton. 

My target is for 3hr 45 and to trip up Gordon Ramsey. I have a generally good level of fitness through such masculine pursuits like spinning and badminton, so at the moment I am scaling things up through running home from work (8 miles) and attempting to eat a bit leaner. The key things I need to do to make it on the day are:

- get my weight down about a stone

- make such my achilles does not resemble an old banjo on the day

- create a decent playlist

I will have tried to direct you to this page in the most un-generic manner as possible, and I will have done it because you are a good person/lad who has been helpful to me at some point. Any support you can offer will be greatly appreciated by War Child and I promise to reciprocate the favour in any legal way. Who knows, if I am in the zone and cocky enough I might even give the race a go in my sunday-best spider man outfit.

Many thanks

Alex

http://www.warchild.org.uk/

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