This June I have signed up to run the Inca Trail Marathon, a 27.5 mile run up to the ancient mountain city of Machu Picchu. Normally done as part of a 3 day trek, I’m aiming to do the whole lot in one hit with altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 14,000 feet. I’ve been told it’s pretty much downhill from mile 11 so it should make for a pleasant Wednesday stroll! Having torn my knee ligament in January, the plan is to take the uneven surface slow and steady. It is difficult to tell at this point an expected completion time, but the suggestion is that I will be running for 10 hours straight starting as the sun rises, and will be carrying my own food and water between aid stations to maintain energy levels.

A good friend of mine has recently set-up a fantastic charity called RISE. After hearing some of the great work they are doing to address educational disadvantage in rural West Bengal, India, I have decided to run for this fantastic cause. Sanju and all of her team are looking to build upon the successes of last year, where an 8 week pilot showed improvements in the literacy of 100% of students who attended. They need your help to continue to make the resources available.

With the Step machine fast becoming my new best friend, please dig deep, and help support this great charity in 2012 by contributing to a fund raising target of £500.

For more information – please visit:

http://www.rise-online.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/#!/RISEprojects

Thank you.