I was really upset when I received that letter that we all dread when signing up for the Virgin London Marathon (VLM) ballot: REJECTED. Still I thought, there is always next year, not really daring to consider that I stood any chance of securing myself a charity spot. This month though, as the marathon draws nearer and 2010 comes to a close, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was still a chance I could run. After scouring the internet for hours and applying for what seemed liked 100s of different charities only to be told all places had been filled, I was lucky enough to receive a very special email from a local Rotherhithe charity, The Dockland’s Settlements. Eyeing my inbox with bated breath, I clicked the email barely daring to look, with my heart pounding I scanned the email and to my complete delight and surprise had been offered an official place on the Docklands team. London Marathon, here I come!

Now the hard work officially begins, with little over sixteen weeks to D-Day my running schedule has to be planned down to the last second.  Somehow I have managed to convince my lovely husband that running would be great for him too and persuaded him to take part in the May 2011 Prague marathon, which I also hope to complete shortly after the VLM (yes, I am that crazy I want to do two marathons in close succession), so at least we have each other to stay motivated! Go team WOOD!

Thanks to Runner’s World online, we have a good starting place when it comes to marathon training plans as their library is filled with easy to follow, yet effective training strategies. It seems we will be running five days a week for the foreseeable future, and to be honest I can’t wait. Having not run for three months due to moving to London and starting a new job, I need something to motivate me back into action and this is certainly a worthy cause.

I have to admit, that for all the charities I applied to, I am glad to have been chosen by The Docklands Settlements. It’s great to know that as a Rotherhithe resident myself, the money I will be raising will be going right back into the area I live (see charity tab for more information).

With a target of £1,300 to raise by the end of April, fundraising is top of the schedule. I need to put together my tactical plan, but so far my ideas are as follows: bake sale, ebay auctions, work collections, friends and family, raffle…. Just this little lot will give me lots to be getting on with in the New Year. Any donations, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated, please visit:http://www.justgiving.com/Victoria-Wood1

Until next time….