Runner number 7124

All last week I have been getting emails from charities I registered with, so it wasn't a surprise when I came home yesterday and found an envelope from The Flora London Marathon addressed to me.

I'M IN!! On my third entry into the ballot, I have an accepted place in the London Marathon. God willing, on the 26th of April 2009, I will be running the 42,195 metres around the streets of London.

I'm feeling very emotional about this, more and more as I think about it. I'm scared, unhappy about the effort and training required, and at the same time, incredibly excited. The more I think about it, the more excited I am about the training, the improvement in fitness I will get as I train, and of course, excited about race day itself.

I've spectated the London Marathon a few times and get goosebumps even now, thinking about it. The energy and sense of passion you get from the runners is phenomenal, even when you can see the tiredness and pain. Bring it on!

I'm not required to collect anything for charity, since I was accepted in the ballot, but I've decided to fundraise for the Bowel Cancer UK charity anyway, so if you are reading this, please make a donation at http://www.justgiving.com/richardneish

More soon, once I've drafted a training schedule. The initial plan is lunchtime runs two or three days a week, then a long run on the weekend, building in time and distance as I get into shape.

Richard