Ready... Set...

So, as I sit here writing up this post I'm dressed in my running kit, ready to go out for my final pre-marathon run.  Sunday is the big day, looming large in my thoughts. Did I train enough? Will I perform on the day? What if it rains? What sort of maniac goes vegan and trains for his first marathon at the same time?

It is at this important juncture I need to stop and just ask myself the most important question... What would a real Aussie think when presented with a proper challenge?

She'll be 'right mate.

Damn right it will.  Don't you think so too Paul?

Pretty sure Paul is with me on this one

So, time to just suck it up and see how I go.  People do these things in their 70s or in absurd costumes, I should be fine with my normal run gear and oh-so-masculine pink race vest from Breast Cancer Care. 

Rockin' the vest!

Did I mention I'm running for charity?  I did?  Well I better mention it again anyway! Head along to my Just Giving website - every pound given is matched by Barclays, so every little bit helps!

I did have a bit of a wrinkle in the preparation when I got a cold a couple of weeks back. But that seems to have passed and I'm back to fighting fit.  It may have proven that a vegan diet doesn't make you cold-proof, but at least my recovery has been swift!

Now, I better get out for that run...

Marathon Sponsorship!

Hiya everyone :)

Not content with doing a half marathon last year and raising over £1,000 for Royal Parks thanks to everyone’s generous support, I’ve decided to go the whole hog and run the Edinburgh Marathon in May this year!  None of that half marathon business, this time it will be the full 26.2 mile shebang.

…with the following likely outcome:

Anyway…  this time I’ll be supporting Breast Cancer Care, a fab charity that provides information and support for people (and their loved ones) that are afflicted by breast cancer cross the UK. The aim is to raise £750 for the charity directly, and have Barclays chip in another matching £750.  Lofty aspirations, but totally worth it!

You can donate using the this link: http://www.justgiving.com/MatthewToy

As a special reward for getting this far into the blog post, here I am in my oh-my-goodness-so-very-hot-pink race singlet.  I think I can carry it off…

I’m going to assume that has convinced you to donate now!