Last October I had a free weekend and I decided to have a crack at the marathon on my cross trainer, I had assumed I would do it in hour long sessions and eat and drink in between....well the first 10K went rather well and I ,of course didn't want to lose any time by stopping for food or water, smart move right? ! So I pushed through on one banana and two glasses of water to complete the 42k in 3 hours 22 minutes, I comically said 'I don't know what all the fuss is about' when I stepped off the machine and then put my name down for the real thing with huge confidence the next day...I have since come to realise that running on a cross trainer and the road are very different things,  and my aim at getting anywhere near that amazing time has drastically changed, but I will finish, I promise you that.

My training for this has been wonderfully international, thanks to my new job, I've run in Dubai, Mollymook, Australia, Port Ghalib Egypt, Palma Majorca, West Sussex England, Fort Lauderdale, Charleston, Annapolis, Norfolk, New York, Kingston, Stonington, Saint John Canada, Newport, Long Island and Nantucket. Crazy right? Just listing these cities makes my mind boggle, its been quite a ride getting here and staying injury free at 56. And to add to the fun I will now be running with my training buddy Liz Wardley. The big day is the 2nd October when I will be taking part in the London Marathon with #TeamLeonardCheshire to support disabled people to live, learn and work as independently as they choose - whatever their ability. For more information please visit www.leonardcheshire.org.