I know what you're thinking - this must be a joke.  Everyone knows that Hillier hates running... 

Correct, but alas it's no joke. 

About a year ago, Champagne Steve had a party (a personal mention, Stevie?  I think that's worthy of some sponsorship).

At that party were some dashing young men (Dom, Sion, Singers, Tom - that's you, see above...) who were regaling me with tales of their recent marathon exploits and plying me with champagne.

No-one remembers exactly how the conversation culminated in me betting I could run the marathon (nor with whom the bet was made, nor what was at stake...), but I'm assured it did.

Now, my Dad  (Dad - that's you - get giving...) will tell you that I'm not one to shy away from a challenge. So I wrote to some charities I thought worthy of profiting from this ridiculous endeavour, safe in the knowledge that charity places are as hard to come by as a Mulberry Alexa (Lex - see what I did there?), and no-one could possibly think me a serious contender...

The very next day, I had a call at work from a lovely, but slightly tearful, lady from Tenovus, a Cardiff-based cancer charity (more on them below).

The tears, she explained when she'd composed herself, were tears of laughter.  Apparently she has a wicked sense of humour, and before I knew it I had bagged myself a place and was purchasing new trainers (because all endeavours have to start with new stuff. Like revision and highlighters).

247 Compedes and 38 packs of Neurofen later, it's finally dawned on me that this is no joke. I really am attempting to run the London Marathon.

Yikes.

I have been following a punishing training regime that largely involves improving leg strength and stamina by flying down snowy mountains on planks (see photo). My training partners (too many to list, but you know who you are - consider yourselves named.  Twice in your case, Nicko) have given generously of time and jagermeister to help the cause.

On a (vaguely) serious note: I've heard it said that anyone can run a marathon.  I may be about to prove it, but it is no small challenge for me.  I have started from a standstill - the first of my training "runs" involved trundling to the park at the top of West Hampstead and back - about 1 mile in total.  I had to walk.  Twice.     

Lapping Regents Park on a January evening in the snow is not fun and I have so many holes in my feet that pedicures are but a distant memory (if that's not a sacrifice, I don't know what is). 

There has been blood, there has most certainly been sweat and, as my office mate will testify (you're up, Hedges - show me the money), there have even been tears.

There are few charities for whom I would do this, but Tenovus (http://www.tenovus.org.uk/) is one of them. They are making huge advances towards finding a cure for cancer (Tenovus funded scientists were the first to develop the use of Tamoxifen, now the world's most successful breast cancer drug), and in the meantime provide mobile chemotherapy units, enabling people with cancer to spend less time in hospital and more time at home.  

I hope you'll agree that's worthy of your support (preferably of the pecuniary sort, but if your charitable budget is exhausted then shouts of encouragement / jelly babies / a push in the right direction on the day will also be very well received). 

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Laura