Date: 11th December 2005 I can’t quite believe it – I’ve got a place for the London Marathon! If you’re not a runner, you won’t realise how momentous this is. Believe me, getting into the London Marathon is no easy feat. Some of my non-running friends don’t understand how marathons and other races are able to charge entry fees at all; presuming instead that agreeing to the agony of running should guarantee you a place. The reality is that every year, thousands of people fail to get a place in the London Marathon. In 2005, 98,500 people applied for a ballot place – with less than half that number of bibs up for grabs. I’ve entered three times – and been rejected three times. You can get places by running for a charity, but the minimum fundraising targets are eye-wateringly high – as much as £1700 for some charities! But I don’t have to worry about all of that! I’m in and although this may not make sense to everyone, I can’t wait for the 500 or so miles that I’m going to clock up in training through the dark, bitter cold of January, February and March. Bring it on! Right – now I’m off for a run! Nick | 
