What on earth possessed me to say "yes"... by Ju1es100

So here I find myself at the tender age of 46 committed to running my first and probably only marathon. How and why? A drunken discussion at a party last summer resulted in me agreeing to join a large group of nutters intent on running the New York marathon this November in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. "I'd be up for that" I slurred. My longest run at that time was 45 minutes round the race for life event a mere 5K.  In fact more of a lollop than a run if truth be told. Last summer I was running about 30-40 minutes 2-3 times a week but by September I had fallen off the training wagon. By Xmas and about a stone heavier I weaved my way to the door of the pub to have a fag when a voice behind me yelled "That will all have to stop in January when we start training!" He hadn't forgotten!!

So before putting down the non refundable £600 deposit for the run I thought I ought to check out my fitness level. January found me in a new job and on a hotel treadmill desperately trying to make it to 20 mins. I just didn't seem to be improving and my negative head was telling me I wouldn't be able to do it. 26 miles !!Oh my God!! But by now I had told people and didn't want to lose face. The incredulity on the faces of some of my friends when I told them just served to justify my doubts. I tried an outdoor run and pathetically slowed to a walk after ten minutes. Meanwhile I learned that my fellow runners training sessions were stacking up 6 miles. Then my pride kicked in. A one off chance to go to New York with a big group of people who hopefully will have become good friends by then. The incredible sense of acheivement of completing a marathon must be hard to beat and if all else fails I can always walk the last bit!!

So Friday found me biting the bullet and booking the ticket. No way back now just months of gruelling training, little or no alcohol and begging complete strangers for money. Goodie!! I shall give it my all and yesterday saw me complete my first 3 miler. There is only one way to go. Wish me luck oh and if you have any spare cash.....