This link might just make you laugh... http://www.marathonnewstv.com/?f=Sarah&l=Tizzard&ch=Children%27s%20Liver%20Disease%20Foundation&n=1

Ok I have to admit that I really did know about the 26 mile part… I’ve known about it for a long time, because I’ve wanted to take part in the London marathon ever since I sat watching it on the television as a child. As an adult I’ve taken my son to watch it most years and we’ve cheered on the elite racers and the fun-runners and we’ve always come away inspired by their actions and at some point on the way home I will always turn to Alfie and say ‘one year, I’m going to run the London marathon…’

Well it looks like 2012 is the year that I finally get to take part! I’m not sure if it was the thought of turning 40 later this year, London hosting the Olympics or maybe just a good old-fashioned mid-life crisis but I’m going to be there and do my best to raise some money for a fabulous charity called the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

I should probably add at this point that I’m not a ‘runner’ and the thought of running 26 miles fills me with stomach-churning dread but I have very slowly over the last year worked my way from not being able to run for the bus to completing a slow and steady half marathon. The trouble is of course, is that a half marathon is literally just that, half of what I'll need to do in April! The thought of how I felt after crossing the line at the Windsor half marathon and then being sent to run round the whole course again, is truly scary! I am though, committed to finishing.

As you are probably aware I work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Children's Liver Team at King's College Hospital and I have seen the fabulous work that CLDF do supporting families and children affected by childhood liver disease.

CLDF’s mission is to be the voice for babies, children, young people and their families and adults diagnosed in childhood ensuring that childhood liver diseases are understood, prevented and outcomes optimised through excellent research, effective information and emotional support.

Have a look at the following links to see what CLDF are currently doing...

http://www.childliverdisease.org/

http://www.cldf-focus.org/

I know that times are hard for us all but if you could just check down the side of the sofa, rummage for the coins in the bottom of your handbag and check out the glove box in your car you might just find a little that you could spare for CLDF so that they can continue their fantastic work supporting families and children affected by liver disease, funding research into causes and treatments and providing resources for healthcare professionals.

Thank you so much.

Sarah X

PS: Thanks as well to Alfie who has cycled many of my training miles with me and who is already making plans for running his first marathon! Thanks to Sara too, for running most of the miles with me that Alfie didn't and for looking after Alfie on a number of my dreaded solo 'long' runs!

PPS: If you’d like to know how I’m preparing for the London marathon, here is a list of runs I’ve either completed over the winter or aim to complete en route to Blackheath!

Windsor Half Marathon, 25th September 2011 http://www.runwindsor.com/

Major Series South, 8th October 2011 http://www.majorseries.com/

Spartan Sprint London, 16th October 2011 http://www.spartanrace.com/

Great South Run, 30th October 2011 http://www.greatrun.org/Events/Event.aspx?id=12

Santa Run, Folkestone 4th December 2011 http://www.santasfunrun.org.uk/

Major Series South, 17th March 2012          http://www.majorseries.com/

Virgin London Marathon, 22nd April 2012  http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/

One final thing: 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.