On 24th April, I will be running the London Marathon. 

My initial jogs which started after Christmas have put my ego firmly in its place. It turns out that 26.2 miles is a very long way to run and my knees are creakier than my student loan repayment plan. I've learnt throughout this process that:

1) If the soles on your trainers are falling off, its probably time to replace them.

2) iPod waist belts aren't functional. They're just an overpriced fanny-pack.

3) Running a marathon is about more than just blistered feet and chafed nipples.The London Marathon is a fantastic platform to raise awareness and build support for a wide range of different charities.

LOOK is a small charity which operates all over the country to improve the lives of children and young people with visual impairment. LOOK does this by creating a support network for the families of affected children; by empowering people to reach their potential and combat social isolation, and creating opportunities for families and young people to connect.

Even the smallest donations can make a big difference. For example, a small but hugely significant donation of £12 is enough to run the LOOK helpline for an hour. That's a lifeline for a family with a child newly diagnosed as blind or visually impaired who doesn't know where to turn, or a parent trying to find out how to get their child the right help at school.

You can find out more about LOOK here:

http://www.look-uk.org