I'm running The London Marathon next year!

I received in the post yesterday my rejection magazine from the London Marathon team to say I hadn't got a free ballot place for the event 2010. To be honest, I'd nearly forgotten that I'd applied earlier this year, and haven't been doing any exercise, never mind running, for ages!

But, reading the magazine really reminded me of this time of year in 2007 when I had decided that I would run the 2008 London Marathon, and I was in the middle of training. I was dedicated to the cause, very proud of myself, getting fit and enjoying the experience...although admittedly my social life was taking a hit!

I made a decision yesterday that I wanted to repeat that experience and run a marathon again.

I got in touch with the RNLI who I had previously been accepted by, for a place, and asked if I could have a place for 2010. I reactivated my membership of the online running communities, and produced a training schedule (which I took home and stuck on the fridge door!) I started feeling very dedicated to the cause and when I had a mail back form the RNLI today to confirm that I could have a place, have decided there's really no turning back.

I'm incredibly unfit at the moment, and as a result of a complete lack of self-discipline at work (Google's free food is legendary!) I have put on lots of weight....so training for the marathon is going to be a completely new lifestyle for me, but at the moment I'm feeling really confident that I can do it.

In 2007 when I decided to race, I felt much the same as I do today, and if I did it once, I know that I can do it again. So, training started last night...it's going to be a slow build up but I have 6 months which is more than enough time. I'm aiming to beat my 2008 time (of 5 hours and an irritating 2 seconds) so am probably going to have to do more work than before, but I'm ready, I'm excited and I know I can do it! :D

P.S - I will be asking everyone for sponsorship nearer the time...please get your wallets ready ;)