A new challenge

Well, here we are. As the title suggests, I have a new challenge. In fact, I have two because I have no idea how to create a blog or even what they are really for!  I intend to use this as a diary relating to my real challenge which is to run the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon 2014.
I am hoping to complete the 13 miles with the assistance of Charlotte Grant and our training is under way. We have started tentative jogging which has not been without incident already. I have developed what I believe to be plantar fasciitis and Charlotte fell down the stairs and badly bruised her foot.
We know we are in this for the long haul and we both know this will not be easy. Charlotte has no experience of distance running as far as I know. I usually do the 5k Race for Life each year and I completed the London Marathon in 2006 but I haven't done any 'proper' running for a very long time. I am 53 years old and the body is not quite as resilient as it used to be. So I am quite prepared for some hiccups along the way regarding fitness or lack of it!
The reason for taking on this challenge is simple. We are trying to raise funds for White Lodge Centre, Chertsey, Surrey which a wonderful resource for people with disabilities and their families and carers. Charlotte had two brothers, Nick and Jonathan, who both attended White Lodge throughout their lives. I never met Nick but I worked with Jonathan for several years and I used to take him regularly to the White Lodge for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and general socialising. Jonathan was always very happy to go to White Lodge. I believe he felt relaxed and safe there.
Sadly, Jonathan passed away last December, aged 29. I was privileged to be part of his care team for the last few weeks of his life and I witnessed extraordinary strength, commitment and love from his family and friends that I will never forget. It was because of this that I felt that I had to do something in Jonathan's memory. That 'something' had to be a proper physical challenge that I would have to commit to. I felt that a full marathon would be too much for me so I decided on a half marathon. I mentioned it to Charlotte and she was very keen to join me. We approached White Lodge to see if we could run for them, they said 'yes' and that was it. We were signed up!
From here on in, the hard work begins. I am aware that we have 7 months to prepare which sounds like a long time but I also know how quickly that 7 months will pass and how much work we need to put into this to make it successful. Fitness and diet need to be improved as a starting point in my case.
Over the last few weeks, Charlotte and I have met and jogged at Bowers Lock and at Papercourt Sailing Club. We have run with Charlotte's daughter Emilie (which was fun but made me feel very old!) and tried running with my dog Harvey  (which was hopeless to be honest and not fun at all!!)
I hope to update this blog regularly as long as I can get it working properly and I will, therefore, be boring you all for the next 7 months with the trials and tribulations of a 53 year old woman who ought to know better!

A xxx