In October 2006 I was touched by an Oxfam advert I watched on the television – the one where a mother walks miles each day to collect fresh water for her young family. I decided then to go on line and register to donate each month to the charity.
As  I was on their website I noticed that there were many challenges to take part in to raise funds. As I slurped on my second glass of rose my attention was drawn to the Flora London Marathon Challenge.
At this stage I need to point out that due to being mentally scarred by comments on my running style “a fairy having a fight” “a pit pony at his first reaction to the outside world beyond the pit” and “a demented chicken with a limp crossed with the Pheobe from Friends run” – I had never had the urge to run in public.
However I decided with the help of rose (the wine there are no accent thing on this computer) that I would do this challenge and signed up there and then.
In November 2006 I had my place confirmed. Oh!
In December 2006 I found out I was pregnant Oh!
Now some may say that was an extreme way to excuse myself for not undertaking the challenge!
Jan 2007 I called Oxfam to tell them my elation at being pregnant but unfortunately I would not be able to do the challenge.
No problem I was told – we can defer your space for the 2008 Marathon. OH!
So August 2007 I gave birth to the beautiful “Noah” and started my training in the October.
Training is going well and my running style has improved – I hope. The training has been a humbling experience for me as when I feel I can’t do any more when out on my run I remember what initially drove me to sign up (not the wine) the young mum that has to do this each day to collect water for her children.

I would like to say a big thank you to my partner David as without his support I would never have had the time or belief that I could even under take the challenge.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Best of luck to my other friends undertaking the challenge – Kristin Young, Kirstin Hoddle and Peter Layzell.

Faye x x

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