Hello All,
 
Those of you that know us will know that we are not new to the world of long distance running but do not for one second think that this is going to be an easy challenge. 
 
Why, I hear you cry! To start with Victoria and I have spent the last 2 years doing anything but running. Victoria has introduced two babies into the world, Joseph (2yrs) and Samuel (11mths) and I have been focussing entirely on work and family. To cut a long story short, we are certainly not what you call match fit and to be fair, probably starting from scratch.
 
Our challenge is to run the Athens Classic Marathon on November 8th 2009.
 
The event takes place on the route where, according to legend, the very first marathon in the world appeared in 490 BC allowing you to enjoy running with 2,500 years of history under your feet! The marathon ends in the Panathinaiko Stadium built entirely in white marble for the first modern Olympics in 1896. The finish is located on the same spot where remains of an ancient stadium used for the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece were excavated.
Our training starts in earnest now and we will be updating everyone on our progress throughout the ups and downs of marathon training via Twitter but if you would like to be keep informed via our weekly email then let us know via daniel@thamesfitness.co.uk
A training programme, given our current fitness levels, would normally take 18 weeks. We have 15.  Victoria in particular faces the challenge of regaining her running fitness having had back to back babies.
This is by no means an easy challenge.
Why are we doing this - simple - to raise money for the National Deaf Children's Society. The press release below explains all.
Dan's son, Jack is profoundly deaf and he has been supporting the National Deaf Children's Society for a number of years:

"As a hearing parent of a deaf child, I rely heavily on the support and information provided by The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) and its' regional associations. Following the diagnosis of my son's profound deafness at seven months of age, the NDCS have been a primary source of information and support to both my needs and those of my son, Jack, who now, at ten years of age has learnt to communicate using speech and sign language."
Dan met his Wife, Victoria, while running the 54 mile Thames Meander in 2004. They have been serious runners for 3 of the last 5 years and have completed numerous races, including the gruelling Marathon des Sables, a 151 mile race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
Even with their running achievements to date this run present a very real challenge:
"Having had two babies in the last two years I am nowhere near my previous fitness levels and the prospect of running a marathon in 15 weeks time is somewhat scary!" says Victoria.
"Our lives have changed totally over the last two years and now we have to fit training around a hectic work and family schedule. It really does feel like we are starting again. If we can raise the £3500 then it will all be worth it." says Daniel.
Victoria has taken on the role of Step Mum to Jack and plays a key role in his care and development. Together they are trying to raise £3500 for the National Deaf Children's Society.
NDCS is the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting deaf children and young people, their families and professionals working with them. Two babies are born deaf everyday and 90% are born to hearing families with little experience of deafness.
 
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