KEY POINTS:
Another year , another marathon. After completing the Auckland Marathon, my trainer got me at a weak moment.
"Let's do New York," he said as I was caught up in a miasma of post-marathon euphoria. A bit like childbirth - you're so thrilled and pleased with yourself as you clutch your newborn in your arms you decide you'll have 10 of the little critters.
Most people come to their senses, but I'd paid the deposit and it was too late to back out. So this time next month, I'll be running through the streets of New York with 60,000 other people. There's a sizeable Kiwi contingent, including my running team - Mission:Possible - who are running to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Trust. Most of them are young, fit and fast - it wasn't till I attended a fundraising evening that I saw some of their faces. Before that I'd seen only their backs and bums as they disappeared into the distance ahead of me.
This is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I know people get hit up all the time for money - your home, your supermarket, your street and now your newspaper isn't safe from charity workers - but if you're concerned about the increasing incidence of breast cancer and would like to help our world-class researchers do something about it, pop along to www.bcrt.co.nz and sponsor one of the Mission:Possible team in the New York marathon.
It doesn't have to be me - there are far more fabulous runners to put your money on if you're looking for a safe bet.
