“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” Lao-Tzu (604BC-531BC).

On my first marathon this year all my brother’s advice to me the WHOLE journey up to Gloucester was: “Rabul, it is only 42,000 steps. ‘One foot in front of the other”. And all I wanted to shout back at him was, “you ain’t the one running!!!!!!!!!!” However, although I wanted to rip his head off at the time, it pains me to once again admit that he is RIGHT!!!

 

I have lined up at the start of 8 marathons so far and seen runners with rucksack type bags piled with zillions of gadgets strapped on and up to their eyeballs, energy drinks that could honestly fill up an Olympic sized swimming pool and watches that look like they could zap you off into another time zone with one click of a switch.

 

Then there is me... with a pair of running shoes, some tape strapped to my calves, a teeny bottle  of salt drops in my back pocket,(in case I get cramp) pink laces tied around my wrist,(for good luck) and no watch! 

 

However Matty’s words have rung true in my ear every time.... so I have decided that the only  philosophy I have this year is: 12 marathons, 12 months in 2012 AND ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER......well  as long as these short legs keep me up that is ;-)))))))

 

The Charity I am raising money for is Headway.

Headway’s mission is: “To promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their families and carers.”

 

Why you ask?

Simply put, my dad got knocked off his motorbike at 16 by a moving train and had a 2% chance of survival! James Cracknell , Olympic gold medallist, a  former rower for England, whom I think is the bees knees,  got hit by a moving truck whilst attempting a HECTIC race through America and had to fight for his life! Watching James Cracknell before his injury and then after his injury was truly inspirational and insightful.... It was remarkable to see how he fought with GIGANTIC determination. The accident not only changed him but also changed his family and the life he had before. As a kid I don’t think I ever really understood what my dad went through, (cheesy as it may sound) however, I cannot imagine what anyone has to go through in order to learn to read, write, walk and talk AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It gave me a new outlook on how far my dad had to come and how INCREDIBLE he is today. Their fighting spirits were unstoppable when overcoming massive obstacles.

 

 Please support my ‘12 Marathons, 12 Months in 2012- One foot in front of the other’ goal by donating any little penny you can spare to a really great cause;-)))))))

 

All I have left to say is YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!