Hello folks... 

As most people who will be checking out this page know, I do seem to love a little challenge and since most think I'm mad for attempting something like this so soon after only starting running "properly" in February (especially as my longest non-stop distance so far has only been 13.1 miles since returning from Africa to constitute my training plan so far *oops*), how could I not go for it... and because some very kind people... that's you reading this right now... may hopefully feel that my impending demise (think pain, lack of ability to breathe, maybe never walk again, drowning in the Thames... ) will be worth a few quid to help out this fantastic charity.  I can also promise (well at the time of creating this page that is, I do reserve the right to change my mind!) not to suddenly start doing lots of charity runs every other week... so it should be a wee while before I ask for yet more contributions (for some reason, people are sending me links to some really *interesting* runs... who knew there were so many mad ones out there - people and runs both!).

So, the challenge... going for the 50km right?  Yeah right, as if... nope.  It's the full 100km or 62.14 miles... *gulp*... that's around 2 and a half marathons... in under 15 hours.

http://www.thamespathchallenge.com/

I'll be doing this with my friends Ski and Emma, who thankfully have lots of marathon experience and can therefore give me a kick up the ass when I start to whimper and bemoan my fate (Ski has promised not to push me into the Thames itself - not even for extra donations... so she says - Emma wouldn't be drawn on the subject! :O)

Previous experience... umm, at the time of drafting this, one marathon in Sierra Leone (May) (walk/run tactic after mile 11 - I still maintain the term "undulating" is a misnomer!) and one half marathon in Southend (June). I'm working on the basis here that Positive Mental Attitude will carry me at least one marathon distance... 

And why this particular charity? Friends of mine themselves or their children and family members have Diabetes (both types) with my friend Sarah's daughter (Lauren) having Type 1 and hearing and understanding not just what they go through living with this disease on a daily basis, but seeing how they cope with it in such a graceful, uncomplaining and inspiring way puts this charity in my top personal fundraising list!  JDRF work to not only find a cure but to get rid of the stigma and myths surrounding it; it's a disease that needs to have a cure.  To learn more about it and to find out how your contribution here today will help, please click on the Charity''s link http://www.jdrf.org.uk/

Of course if you're not sure whether I'll actually finish the challenge (how well do you think you know me?)... feel free to sponsor me per mile... hopefully in pounds per mile though folks... just saying ;)

Any running tips, advice or help will also be appreciated. I am planning on blogging on this, time permitting that is, over at: http://dreamweaverconsulting.org/ and if you fancy a challenge, why not sign up to do it yourself and come and join Ski, Emma and I! I may even bring cake!