At the end of my last blog my left knee was troubling me and at the time I wasn’t quite sure if it would prove to be serious. Thankfully it cleared up within a day or two and I was more or less able to keep on schedule by just running twice during the week and then over 22 miles on the Sunday morning. This took me 3hours 36 minutes, around 9:45 per mile, which was a little slow but the miles under my belt more than made up for this, and with just 4 miles from the full distance over a hilly course I felt that my stamina was well established.

The last two Sundays of March saw consecutive 20 mile runs, one of which I managed my marathon target pace of 9 minutes per mile so on the running front everything is progressing well. Indeed, from now on I start to decrease the mileage and build up my reserves ready for the big day!

Talking of which the London Marathon is now less than four weeks away so I’m starting to feel the anticipation growing. To add to this my ‘Action for Children’ London Marathon vest has arrived- it really is a beauty and specially embroidered for London 2009 as you can see in the photo! My registration details have also arrived with my race number- 33611- and I will start from the Red start (There are also Green and Blue Starts). After several miles the three merge together, shouting and jostling in good humour.

My train journeys are booked. I travel from Carmarthen on the Friday morning so that I can register at the London Expo in the docklands later that day. This means that I avoid getting tired in the Saturday rush to register and collect the number. I’ll be travelling down with some fellow TROTs and stay at the Civil Service Club on Great Scotland Yard. This is ideal as 1. It is a matter of yards from the finish so no distance to stagger. 2. It is also the ‘Action for Children’ base and celebration afterwards, and finally 3. It has a fine bar! I can also celebrate in style hopefully as I travel back on the Monday morning.

On the fundraising front my total is now at £1,346.50, so I expect to pass my £1,500 target soon. My thanks to all my colleagues in County Hall and in the learning centres who have been so generous and supportive - I’m sure people hide from me now when they see me coming! Thanks to the ‘Edge’ Men’s Hairdressers on Dew Street for not only sponsoring me but making me far more streamlined and stylish on the hair front. It should knock minutes off my time! Unfortunately I didn’t sell enough tickets for ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ to make it worthwhile but many still donated even though they could not come. You have to be prepared to try different ways of raising funds, some of which are successful. Thanks also to Phil who has printed some great tee shirts to wear at Morrisons on the 18th April.

One of the most magical moments was when I took assembly at St Florence VC School by kind permission of the Head Gari Davies. I wore my London vest and we talked about what I was doing, why and how the children could play a part in the London experience and help other possibly less fortunate children. I was presented with a school hoodie to keep myself warm after the marathon and I promise I will wear it on marathon day! The children were absolutely wonderful, so enthusiastic and generous, a credit to the school, their parents and the community. I’ll return to join them and Gari in a special fundraising run around the field- so I hope that the weather is kind. This day made everything worthwhile and me so determined to finish.

I have just been revisiting Rosie Swale-Pope's website http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/ and I have to say that my run is a drop in the ocean and pales into insignificance when compared to that incredible journey running around the world- just take look!

This reminds me of the reason for the appeal, children taking ‘Action for Children’, to help others. Our local ‘Action for Children’ office in Haverfordwest works so hard to give practical and purposeful help in Pembrokeshire to children and their families, be it for children and young people with disabilities, in need of foster care, carers themselves or young people in need of support to overcome obstacles preventing them reaching their potential. So if you would like to help by donating to the appeal then just follow 'my justgiving page' link on the right hand side. It just takes a few minutes and every little makes a difference.