I was lucky enough to get into the 2010 London Marathon through the ballot, which means I don't have to raise any money for anybody in order to run.  To be honest, I find it quite hard to ask people for donations, so was extremely happy not to have to do it!

So why in the world have I decided to fundraise after all?

I met members of the Oyster Project.  It's a disabled people's self-help group right here in Lewes, organising all sorts of activities from wheelchair-accessible walks in the woods to cooking to allotment work to watercolour painting to camping....  They run a drop-in cafe and an internet radio station, teach skills, offer film showings and much more, and it's all done in response to what the members want, with lots of volunteer help and very little money .    So I actually wanted to help!

By the way, their name comes from the saying "the world is your oyster," which is a great motto.  If you can, pop down to the All Saints Centre on a Wednesday lunchtime to see for yourself.

It would be great if you wanted to help, too.  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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you!

Michi

23 Feb: Cold and rain and very wet muddy trails are making for less-than-perfect training conditions, plus I'm a bit behind having been away for half-term, and a festival just before that...   Less than nine weeks to go!!

 9 Mar:  Managed 11.6 miles on Sunday... but should have been up to 18 by now!  Hips feeling tight but still hopeful I'll be able to get the training mileage up without injury.  Will try for 15 miles this coming Sunday (before playing a two-hour gig!) 

15 Mar: Did the 15 miles yesterday, not too bad.  Hastings half-marathon coming up Sunday... 

21 Mar:  Hastings half marathon.  Not quite the fastest I've ever done it, but definitely the least awful!  

28 Mar: 17 miles over the Downs.  Legs should not be that fatigued after only ten miles!  Maybe just not recovered from last week's half-mara....   One more long one to go: 20 miles on easter sunday.

4 April: Managed the 20 miles, on the Cuckoo Trail, in about three and a half hours.   Not fast, but steady and no injuries.  

11 April:  "Only" 12 miles this morning.  I was hoping it would feel like a piece of cake compared with last Sunday, but  no!

20 April:  Last week of tapering now.  Long Sunday runs decreasing in length to allow recovery and saving strength.  Just three and a bit miles today, and that's it til the marathon!  Wish I felt a lot fitter than I do...  

25 April:  Finished in 4:39:10.  That was hard.  Hips and quads stiff and sore from awfully early but managed to keep up the pace fairly well and finished okay.