Thanks for visiting Nig's JustGiving page

Marathon?....are you mad....so what this all about?

Surely just another lardie bloke drifting into another mid life crisis requiring extreme treatment?........possibly, or simply a tough challenge that he thinks he needs to get done!

Well I've signed up for the plan and I'm determined to get the job done!

Hopefully the whole 'experience' will come with some added bonuses.......after having spent yet another year mountain biking with the chaps and watching them disappear into the distance while I slowly expire, this is the year of the fight back. I've consistently managed to dodge making a commitment to shift the lard, drop the love handles, get fit and finally admit that I truly have 'all the gear and no idea'.

So if I drop a dress size or two, speed up, drop a few of my fine fellows on the mountain biking climbs (that's set me up for a fall) and keep the best of the fit buggers in my sights.....oh, and ALSO raise a few quid for a great cause, that'll do me.

Why the London Marathon? (Oops........plus Brighton & Reading Half marathons)

As a chum of mine, Kieran, likes to say, 'go big or go home'. 

....is it really just for charity?

No, of course not.......running a marathon is all about self achievement, but if I can also help bring a little help to those that are in trouble then it's a real win win for everybody!

Why Shelter?

I'm sure during the recent winter weather we have all enjoyed that cozy feeling of shutting the door on the outside world, turning up the thermostat and settling down on the sofa with the family to watch a great film.....just imagine if that safety, warmth and security was taken away from you and your children?

Christmas would be an especially desperate time to be homeless, but homeless this Christmas in damp, dark and freezing conditions would be hard to imagine.

So what's the game plan?

Grind out some regular miles each week and gradually increase each week with a 'long run' every Sunday.

Main plan started Jan 1 and runs for 16 weeks but I've been running regularly since October.

Plan as follows;

Sunday - Long run - now up to - 12 miles progressing +1 or 2 miles a week up to a max of 20m 3 weeks before.

Monday - Rest

Tuesday - Gym

Wednesday - 4m run

Thursday - 4m run (optional)

Friday - 5 a side footie - 1 hr

Saturday - Rest

Events plan

To 'spice up' the above mix I'm also signed up 'along the way' for;

1. Brighton Half Marathon at the end of Feb

2. Reading Half Marathon at the end of March

3. London Marathon on the 25th April.

Enjoying the training?

I have to say that amazingly I'm loving it. Like all challenges when the rain's in your face and its uphill you wish your life away to get to the top but then the endorphins kick in with the happy pills and everything in the garden is rosy!

My highlight so far was the 9 mile circuit on Sunday Jan 10th from home in Wooburn Green through Bourne End, along the riverbank to Marlow and then back. The entire route was snow and ice bound and with the aid of my faithful micro spikes over my trainers, I didn't slip once - I didn't see another runner all morning!

I was spurred on during my run on Sunday 17th to make it to Marlow park by a desperate need for a poo (!) - must have been the Burns' Night Haggis!! - I certainly had a spring in my step on the return leg, this time with other runners all over the place.

A little more about Shelter

You can help someone keep a roof over their head today

Preventing homelessness is at the heart of all Shelter’s work.

Whether they are campaigning for more affordable homes, advising a family whose home is about to be repossessed or supporting someone facing eviction, their ultimate aim is to make sure everyone has a decent, secure place to live.

Their free helpline is at the forefront of their work preventing homelessness. In the last year, Shelter answered over 50,000 calls from people who faced losing their homes or were stuck in run-down, overcrowded conditions.

Sadly, many calls were from people who were sleeping rough and just needed somewhere to stay. Beyond helping people find a bed for the night, Shelter offers them long-term advice and support – the building blocks people need to escape homelessness and regain control of their lives.

Please help someone keep off the streets by supporting Shelter today.

What do you need to do next?

Please do not feel obliged to donate - doing nothing is always an option - simply following my painful progress may be vaguely satisfying - if you feel like donating only your name & message will appear on this site - what you donate is down to you but every penny will help Shelter.

Personally, I'll be relying on my friends and colleagues to unleash massed abuse and merciless piss taking, with the odd supporter possibly letting the occasional word of encouragement sneak out! 

Words of encouragement!?.....you wish!

Bring it on chaps.....give me your best shot!

How it works via JustGiving

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.

...and finally.

Thanks to my girls (Nicky, Georgie-9 & Aggie-3) for what they will have to put up with for the next few months.

 

Thanks for watching,

Nig