Seriously....6 days....

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Oh dear it would appear there are only 6 days to go until I have to hit the roads around Brighton for my first ever marathon.

I did a little bit of research on the whole marathon running thing the other day....some may say a little late to be researching, I say given what I discovered I'm glad I never checked it out first.

Yeah sure there are loads of benefits that come with running and the massive amount of miles needed to train for a marathon (or six)...increased libido ..if you can stay awake long enough, but don't tell my boyfriend ;-), an ability to eat a huge amount of food, an instant ability to switch your hearing off when the "running is bad for your knees" brigade start banging on and the weekly feeling of euphoria when you see your house appear round the corner at the end of your long run.

But there are one or two rather surprising side effects I hadn't even considered.

1. Running a marathon consumes a massive 2,800 calories and you will lose between three and six litres of sweat combining these factors means you will be anywhere between two and five kgs lighter when you've finished.

2. The amount of heat produced by your body will increase 30 - 40 fold and your body's core temperature can increase to 40c, the temperature reached when suffering with a high fever and medical intervention could be required.

3. Your heart has to pump 3 - 4 times the amount of blood round your body than when doing normal activities in that time frame.

4. You are likely to show stage 1 symptoms of kidney failure.

5. You can be up to 2cm shorter than when you started.

and finally not including the cramps, blisters and loss of toenails your immune system can be compromised for several months after completion.

But people tell me there's really no need to worry, within 24 hours you will have regained your height

and your kidneys will have repaired.....eat, drink, rest!!!! Unfortunately you will most likely have regained all the weight lost too.

What you will never lose however is the enormous sense of achievement you get from having run your marathon, you've raised money for your charity or you ran all the way or you kept going when you really thought you couldn't. Your achievement, your success and your body did it (and when it stops hurting you can get up and jump around for joy)

Despite my protesting and little injury setback I can't wait to get my first marathon underway, just to be there with all the other Breast Cancer Now runners and my amazing man who has been so supportive and ridiculously patient with my over emotional state is going to be the best moment and the start of #ultimateboobjog

ROLL ON BRIGHTON!

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ultimateboobjog