126 days

So lots to think about today. First of all, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far, including the first American donation! It just brought a tear to my eye seeing the messages of support already on the just giving page (www.justgiving.com/Ben-Wolfson), as well as a awesome sum raised already! It's starting to seem more real now, even more real than on Wednesday when I set up the pages. I guess part of it is that I've started to talk to people about it (up till now it's been Christmas and New Year, and helping Phil fundraise for his trip) and looking at training schedules etc.

I'm not sure whether I'm nervous or excited about it. I've put in running time like this before, doing the 1000 mile run last year, and I've certainly exercised for longer periods of time, breaking the world record. I think it's the thought of putting those two together, and the thought that the furthest I've ever run in one stretch is 13 miles. Going for my first run of 2010 put things into perspective as well. To be fair, it was only 2.5 miles to go pick the car up from Jim and Claire's house, but it felt a lot longer. That may have had something to do with the sleet, the cold, the ice (oh and the hangover), but I managed it in one stretch, and felt pretty positive about it. I've got until the middle of Feb to get up to running for 40 minutes non stop (about 4-5 miles) to start the training, so that combined with swimming and badminton should be a reasonable target. It will just be a matter of finding time (and motivation!)

So that's that for now. I'll keep pestering people to donate, starting with an email to my family and friends in the states, and start running in ernest now that the ice has melted. Keep coming back fr more info!