Running to a marathon? by monkeymax

www.justgiving.com/2longweeks

So another event nears its end and I can look forward to a rest... After this weekends Cardiff half Marathon that is.

Since I last wrote the structure of the event has changed slightly. I have moved from the 3 half marathons in 3 weeks to 3 halfs, 6 10k's, a 4 miler and a 10 miler in 3 weeks, giving me a 90 mile target. This is again all for the NSPCC, a charity I have run for since I started last year, my 4th event for them

I started back on 25th Sept with my first race, The Nike+ Run to the Beat half Marathon. A warm day and my usual pre-race nerves. Donned in my matching purple shirt I joined tens of thousands of others outside the O2 and set off. As usual multiple technological hiccups set in, from my Forerunner running out of battery to my 'Nike+'iPhone app losing me at the beginning.  An uncomfortable run which saw me slowly totter in at 1.50, 5 mins over my Brighton half time. This only spurred me to push more. So 3 days later I set out on my first 10k at 6am, the next day another 10k at 6am followed 2 days later by a 10 miler. I successfully racked up my first 35 miles in a week... but paid for it with a ankle issue!

I started week 2 elevated and iced. 4 days off and I went out to run on a still wary left foot. 10k done, then the next day another 10k followed last Sunday by the Royal Parks Half. I finished this in a more respectful 1.47 and a tad more comfortable then the previous.

Week 3 came with a vengeance and 2 days after the Royal Parks I run another 10k, followed by 4 miles yesterday and 10k again today... 77 miles so far!

And now I await my foe. This time last year I was waiting to do my first ever half in Cardiff, my home town. This year I go to beat my time and maybe even my PB. Last year Cardiff was measured 193m's short and this has still haunted me to this day, as if I had never run it fully.

I have learnt a lot along the way of these short 3 weeks. Support exists everywhere, not only family and friends but on complete strangers on Twitter willing to donate without knowing me. Donate in support for me doing something and that will always push me on.

For every sore ankle or blister get, someone is prepared to give their money in the knowledge that I will do this. Coming over that finish line on Sunday and seeing my family, checking Twitter for the messages of support and Facebook for the message left by friends will make this all the more easier.