On 27^th May 07 I will be running the Edinburgh Marathon in aid of the Depression Alliance, a charity which offers help and support to people in the UK suffering with depression.

I have been marathon training now for nearly 6 months, after stepping out for the first time a day after Christmas with the theme tune from “Rocky” playing in my head which by the end of the first mile had slowed dramatically, and was replaced by the loud wheezing of my lungs. Despite all the preparation, I am still somewhat anxious about running my first marathon. For those of you wondering what training has been like, the following is a short list of my encounters on the journey. I have:

1. Nearly fallen in the canal

2. Been pummeled with hail

3. Been told to “get my knees up” on no less than a thousand separate occasions

4. Had children join me down the street

5. Been tooted at by drivers (1 toot = get out of my way 2 = you have nice legs)

6. Been licked to death by a dog.

7. Got caught in a snowstorm

8. Hidden under a bridge due to getting caught in a snowstorm
   

9. Scared a police officer by running up behind her in a wood

10. Knocked over several children

Please give generously to help me raise a bit of money for depression sufferers, a very misunderstood illness, and one which many of you I am sure, including myself, have been unfortunate enough to encounter. I cannot change the world by myself, I ask for your help to help me get busy on our own little corner.

Six months training gone, I am ready to face the monster.

See you at the start line.

Andrew