So. Undeterred by my somewhat underwhelming performances in various 10k runs, I've decided it's a good idea to run a marathon. Yep, the full 26.2 miles. And it's all in aid of the extremely deserving local charity SWWOP, or Sheffield Working Women's Opportunities Project.

I've been in training since January, dragging myself out for runs four times a week in everything from hailstorms to sticky, uncomfortable heat, and am hoping that as a result I won't shame myself too badly at the Lakeland Trails Marathon on July 3.

Obviously an ordinary marathon wasn't challenge enough, so I'm going for a hilly trail run, around the lake in Coniston. I also decided it was a cracking idea to put myself through two half marathons this year as well (Sheffield and the Great North Run) - so in effect you're sponsoring me not for one, but TWO marathons. Value for money, yes?

 

My chosen charity, SWWOP, helps Sheffield's street prostitutes in a huge number of ways; from giving the women condoms and personal alarms to providing outreach sessions or advice on issues such as social housing or court appearances.

Donations of as little as £1 pay for a pair of gloves or woolly tights, £5 would pay for sandwiches for 20 women and £35 would pay for an expert to provide a street-based session in which they offer services such as STD testing, free condoms and soup.

Here's the official bit.. (donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity).

Please donate whatever you can, however small - it all helps. SWWOP is a very worthy cause and will spend your money on those women that need it, rather than paying for advertising campaigns, cold calls or for young and beautiful "chuggers" to harangue you on the street.

For more info see here... http://www.swwop.org/

Thank you! Jeni x

 

UPDATE! On Sunday, May 9 I completed the first of my three runs - the Sheffield half marathon, in a not-too-shoddy 2 hours and 19 minutes. Just eight weeks to double the distance, then...

UPDATE TWO: On Sunday, July 3 I got round the marathon and lived to tell the tale. It was a hot summer's day and the course was far more of a fell run than I'd anticipated - even involving the fording of a waist-high river! - but I did it in 5 hours 40 minutes. Thanks to everyone for their support, I honestly couldn't have done it without you all.