I haven't prepared for the marathon. With my busy schedule, I get to do a few short runs a week but decided that I was fit enough to try to pull through it.  

On the day of the race, it was confirmed that it would be raining and the Virtual London Marathon sent us messages on how to prevent injuries in wet weather. That proved helpful - I packed a few extra pieces of dry clothes that saved us a bit from blisters and cold. But the truth is, I was better prepared mentally than physically, thanks to cause. It was the faces of the people affected by leprosy and Lepra's frontline workers that I have been in touch with overt the past year as a Programme Manager at Lepra.  It was that experience that didn't give me any choice but start the Marathon, and finish it.

I have to openly admit that I will be haunted by their faces and stories I witnessed in India for the rest of my life. That is not because some of them were disfigured or because of the unimaginable levels of poverty they were surrounded by. It is because of the difference I saw between people who had no hope, eyes are devoid of any light, and then the eyes of those who re-learned to hope and smile thanks to Lepra providing comprehensive care. This care starts from how they examine people who come with suspected patches, from counsellors who listened to them, give them clinical and physiotherapeutic care, teaching them self-organisation and advocacy so that they can start using their voices in places they never expected to be heard - political forums and conferences. On the most primal level, as a human being, I'd now do anything to see that level of suffering stop and in order to create as much of change as possible. 

In my mind's eye, it was the faces of people in need and their transformation that kept me going on 4th of October during the marathon. But on the ground, what kept me safe and grounded was the  family and friends. My daughter Katja ran with me for the first 10 miles, which was a saver in so many ways. She's done marvellously well and I had to beg her to go home (well - to finish her homework), she was so determined that she could and would want to finish it.  Her grandfather Colin (> 80 years old) helped also in many ways, including running the first lap with us around the University of Essex campus, which he introduced us to on the day. Liz, Katja's grandmother, was with our small Andrei, on a little domestic marathon of her own. My wonderful mum Slavica and brother Vladimir in Canada and friends in the UK and Serbia were sending their supportive messages with anything from thumbs up and hearts to crazy faces. That was a great distraction from the pain at the back of my knees!

Now on shamelessness. Shamelessness, I find, is linked to one's force of conviction. That is why I shamelessly approach the same people post-marathon that have already supported me during the marathon to now donate to Lepra. That is why I am reaching out to people who may look with surprise that they are getting this request through social media. You are all receiving this request through my conviction that no one should suffer from leprosy mentally, socially or physically in the way that they are still suffering in many corners of the world. 

Thank you all! Your dollar or pound will be appreciated and will go far, through Lepra, as it has been the case for nearly 100 years. 

Finally, a word from this fundraising website:

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and completely secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send any unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time as well as cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you,

Milena