So this is it! It all begins now......Thank You!

So here we go - the weekend of the first leg of the marathon in a month.

First off - sad to report that Neil has unfortunately has had to pull out of the event with a torn muscle, but the rest or us are ready - actually scrap that! The rest of us are going to be there - none of us feel ready no matter how much training we have done. All of us are feeling very nervous about what is to come, but all that I read anywhere is what an amazing even this is - so although nervous and not feeling ready, it is tinged with excitement! Honestly!

Loads of good luck messages which have been great, so thank you all, and also thank you so much for all of the money that has been raised. So far we are up to over £5,100 which is absolutely incredible. We've been told of atleast another £200 in promises, so it would be amazing if by the end of the weekend we could get to £5,500, and if not, it would be just as amazing if we could get to it by the end of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which now is only 22 days away ARGH!!!!

For those that are interested - it seems like its going to be live on the BBC for most of the day, so look out for us if you can. Coverage finishes at 1.30 - just about the time Im looking to be crossing the line - so - watch out for the pained ginger crawling over the finish!!

So - off to Newcastle we go in a few hours. Ive just downloaded another 106 running songs. That gives me 207 - 6 hours or so of music - I must be able to finish by the time they run out!!

I was going to announce everyones run numbers so you could look out for us, however, it would appear that atleast one person (Mr Rooney) is very much keeping his number under wraps!! So - if you see a very random blog in the early hours of the morning with just a number on it - you know Ive discovered it ahead of the race. In the mean time - here is two to look out for.

Thanks again for all your support and generosity

Rusty around the edges

So...two weeks ago I came home from five weeks in Thailand where my trainers sat glumly in the bottom of my rucksack and i: partied on a beach, partied on a boat, did anything but run. I followed this by spending a week in London catching up with friends and drinking copious amounts of everything and was subsequently really happy when my skinny jeans fit well. Like really well. And I had a minor victory.

Until today.

In preparation for five weeks from now, I strapped on said shoes and went for a spin around the block. 3.7 wheezing uphill kilometers (2.3 miles) later I stooped over my front door wheezing. And then my legs began to twitch and seize up, which is when I realised that my skinny jeans fit because i've lost nearly all the lovely marathon runner muscle mass in my legs.

but hey, i'm part of a team and we've got a purpose. so my motto for tomorrow is...5 kilometers, 5 kilometers, 5 kilometers. And on sunday, for my last trick...i will attempt 6 miles.

T minus 11 days!

11 days, yep, thats all thats left until the first leg gets underway.
The realisation has well and truly kicked in that in 11 days we will be heaving our bodies around Newcastle and attempting to make it to the coast at South Shields.

The lack of blog activity has been as much about us all being in denial that this is really happening than the time that we have had to write. By not coming on the blog, and writing on the blog, we could avoid the fact that we would be running these half marathons.

Since getting back off holiday, running has improved, Ive managed it through an 8 mile run, and fingers crossed this Sunday I will manage 10 miles, then next Saturday we will be heading up the Newcastle in preparation for Sundays start. For those that fancy watching - its live on BBC1 for most of the day, so you may well see us all crossing the line - in various states of running, walking, rolling, crawling!!

I must thank everyone that has got involved in sponsoring us, We are nearly at our target of £4,800 and with there still being a good 5 weeks till the challenge finishes with the Royal Parks Half in London, it would be great to break the £5,000 barrier. (hint hint if anyone fancies joining the sponsorship)

About a week ago, RA reared its horrible head again for Simone, with a really nasty attack. After a few months when it hadnt been too bad, we came back off holiday and then she had a really significant flare up with lots of pain and stiffness. She went through a day unable to make a cup of tea because I was at work and she couldnt lift the kettle. Its when it gets that bad that every day routine goes out the window and it dawns on you just what a horrendous illness RA is. A visit to hospital and injections and after a few days the flare up started to ease, but it still doesnt hide the fact that every day for Simone is painful. A flare up is just much much worse.

Sort of brings into context why we are doing this, and why the NRAS are so vital with their support network and their research.

So, just a warning - there will be a bit more blog activity now that we are getting close, and dont forget to look out for us on TV!! Time for a short training run I think..........after Dominos gets here that is :-)