So here's the story....

I kind of fell into the NY Marathon after a bet with Alex Meggy, after a trip last year to New York, for her job interview (and of course some shopping!). The great news is that she got the job.....the bad news is....I'm running the marathon!!

So there I was thinking of every excuse under the sun not to have to bare thinking about completing 26 miles of pure torture!! Unfortunately my application got accepted and my running number sent to me as if to tie me in. So here I am, after 8 months of training, to my surprise still running and reaching my targets.

I'm only just setting up my donation site now that I know it's possible to achieve 26 miles (still a hugely daunting prospect though!). I have decided to donate every penny I raise to Ovarian Cancer in Action in memory of a dear friend, Ruth Clarke (nee Staniforth), who many of you will know. She lost her battle with Ovarian cancer last year after many years of fighting.

Ruth is a true inspiration to all of us and how bravely she fought the disease with such dignity, courage and always with a smile on her face.

So there I will be on November 7th hitting pain barriers like none other that I have ever experienced, with Ruth in my thoughts, thinking that this is no where near the pain she went through for the many years she suffered and I will reach the 26 miles ending with a massive smile just like her.

Ruth’s family chose Ovarian Cancer in Action as their chosen charity as it actively advances and supports ovarian cancer research and aims to improve survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.

All the money I raise for the charity will be put onto Ruth's tribute page which Helen (Ruth's sister) set up in her memory.

I have set myself a target of £1,000 and would dearly love to break that amount so am asking for your help. Even if it's just a small amount, it all counts and it is going to a fantastic cause.

To view Ruth's tribute page, please visit http://lovewomen.tributefunds.com/fund/Ruth+Clarke+(nee+Staniforth)/showFund/

To find out more about Ovarian Cancer Action, please visit http://www.ovarian.org.uk

Thank you so much for dontating - it really means a great amount to me to raise as much as possible in Ruth's memory.

Verienne