I know this is long, but let me explain:

In three days I'll be running the toughtest five miles of my life so far, at the end of my first marathon experience.  The story so far...

At the start of 2013 I decided to sign up for the inaugral Bournemouth marathon as part of my typical start-of-the-year fitness resolution.  I told about three people and promptly forgot about it.

February 2013 I started going to the gym more regularly, but as the evenings grew lighter and beer festivals were only around the corner, I kind of lost my gym motivation.

The last week of May, I booked a week's leave, to regroup, detox, be outdoors and focus on 'the run'. The day before my leave started, the dog made an escape bid after a fox, I lunged after him and promptly achieved a grade 2 calf strain.  Thanks Boysey.  Couldn't weight-bear, elevated leg and no walking for my week of leave; we nearly parted company.

Long story, short: got to July, decided to ignore massively tight calf and start running again.  July was also stunning weather and I managed to swim in the sea three times a week more or less every week.  My fitness slowly improved and my running picked up.

The last week of August I fell in to a formal running training programme thing and have nailed 13, 15 and 21 mile training runs, plus the other stuff inbetween. So be assured I have been practising!

Now, dear reader, with three days to go, I realise I need your help to keep me focused.  I'm bored.  I'm out of love with running and need inspiration.  I can't keep doing long run, rest, recovery, tempo, rest, speed, rest, long run; rest, recovery, tempo, rest, speed, rest, long run; rest, recovery, tempo, rest, speed, rest, long run (you get the picture) every week ... But more than that, I would like to use this effort to support a Dorset charity that I know well and that does great stuff.

I'd have asked before but felt a bit shy about the whole thing ...

Margaret Green Animal Rescue take in, take care of and rehome all manner of animals who - through no fault of their own - have found themselves in need.  Horses, ducks, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs (sure there's more)... all pass through Margaret Green.  My pooch came from there - I met him when I was volunteer dog walking and it was an immediate bond, which is weird, because you wouldn't recognise it, given the number of times he has escaped from the garden.

I'm told the last five miles of the marathon will be very very difficult in every respect - please give a donation to Margaret Green and help me make sure I get over the finishing line!  Thanks

www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk