For some it's a groin strain, for others a pulled calf. For me, a yet undiagnosed pain in the left thigh has caused the running to come to an abrupt and unplanned stop. Where did it come from? How did it start? The funny thing is, that for many runners the answer is simply "I've no idea". One weekend I was running a timed 11 miler and feeling great, the next I was grimacing as soon as I broke into a jog. Normally I'll try to run through an injury but, London changes all that. Suddenly everyone is full of advice and grave warnings."If you don't listen to your body now and rest that could be the end of your marathon dreams". "Rest, rest, rest". "Take some time off". Whilst the advice might be sound it doesn't make it any easier to take. How can you get the necessary miles under your belt without running them? Strength and stamina take a long time to build up but a comparatively short time to lose.

First, I headed down the pool on a nightly basis for a mile. After all - isn't swimming the best exercise for everything? This is what the book always seems to advocate. Well, here's some novel news - it hasn't helped me! I've now given up on the swimming and have taken to the dumb bells and a pack of frozen peas. I should explain. The dumb bells are for exercising the upper body and the frozen peas are to ICE the injury. RICE is the mantra. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. I'm only on day 2 of the frozen pea treatment - I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, the fund raising has really taken a step in the right direction. Sat 29th Jan saw my first bag pack at a supermarket. But.....this wasn't just any supermarket.....! I worked weekends at M&S for a couple of years and although the big 5 supermarket chains failed to engage I was heartened to learn that M&S were happy to invite me back - good old M&S. I always knew you were a stalwart part of this great nation! I hit the store at 9:00am and worked through till 18:00 (joined by the rock that is my Mum) from 12:00. The day was full of amazing incidences. Former colleagues, old customers and people that I had never met before were happy to throw a quid or two or even five in to the bucket. I had so much encouragement and good luck wishes that I felt truly inspired as well as humbled. I do take my packing seriously. Fruit and veg are kept separate to household goods, chilled products separate from hot deli items, tins logically stacked and ALWAYS, ALWAYS cakes and crisps on the very top.

ONE GOLDEN RULE OF BAG PACKING:If a female puts a bar of chocolate on the conveyor belt, discretely put it to the side. DON'T PACK IT WITH THE REST OF THE SHOPPING. Once the female has paid the bill, hand over the shopping and discretely pop the chocolate bar into the consumers hand so that it can quickly be concealed in the handbag and consumed outside, away from prying eyes. After all ladies, everybody knows, if no one sees you eating the chocolate then the calories don't count!

Counting the coins is quite exhilarating. The neatly stacked piles become a work of art as the smell of the metal permeates the air. When the last penny was accurately accounted for I was staggered to learn we had raised £498.96. What a fantastic sum for a relatively small store in a rural city, during a recession. Thank you to everyone who contributed. I have already got my next store booked and once again, I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Until next time - please keep your fingers crossed that the peas (which are now well defrosted) work their magic on the leg and don't forget, you too can help me in raising a minimum of £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support by visiting my Just Giving website, click here.

Ian Sockett

In an attempt to kick start the fund raising I contacted my local paper to see if they might run a story, my story. For anyone who hasn't come across my blogs before, I suffered from an eating disorder for some twenty years, during which time I became a weak, friendless, recluse. My wake-up call came after suffering pneumonia and a collapsed lung in 2008. Thank goodness I am now 99.9% back to full health. I have been given a second chance in life and I don't intend to waste it.

The paper ran the aforementioned story (front page job and all!).

Within 24 hours I was staggered to receive a call from the paper to hear that a couple of people having seen the article, were keen to sponsor me. These were people that I had never met before but, were willing to pick up the phone and call the paper to find out how they could support me. I spoke to the individuals and was staggered that they found my story somehow inspirational. This was incredibly humbling because I had always thought that I had simply wasted a large part of my life.

One particular pensioner said that she had often seen me over the years and wondered what could be wrong. "I didn't know if you had Cancer or Aids or something like that", she told me. "I think it's amazing what you are doing".

Over the past few days I have been reflecting just how incredible human beings really are. On one hand we see suicide bombers willing to throw themselves into crowds ending their own lives and those of innocent others, whilst at the same time, people of the same species can display incredible courage and strength (take a look at Haiti), and will give whatever they have to help their fellow human beings.

OK, there are some really nasty people about but, my marathon experience has without doubt driven home that there are a lot more really genuine, kind-hearted and truly inspirational characters out there. One must appreciate that money is still pretty tight for many people but, that hasn't stopped them wishing me well for London and providing real encouragement.

I went to see 'my pensioner' on Thursday evening. I spent an hour and a half listening to her stories of days gone by and why she wanted to make a donation to Macmillan. Somehow, my story had cheered her and she genuinely wanted me to succeed - for my sake, not for anyone else.

I have no doubt that when the legs are no longer communicating with the brain on the 25th April and the finish line still seems like hundreds of miles away, I will draw upon these words of support and encouragement . Knowing that every step raises a bit more money is a huge motivation.

If you would like to be a part of my journey please donate whatever you can. Every pound goes towards making a real difference to real people. People like you and me.

If you would like to support Ian click here

Ian Sockett

Next, I need to say a big thank you to Sir William Cubitt. Why? Well, Bill was good enough to create the treadmill back in 1817. Initially used on inmates in prison as a way of reforming them, the treadmill has now become a staple in even the most basic of gyms. When it's below zero for the umpteenth day in row and the ice is glistening on the frozen roads, the sight of a treadmill can actually generate tears of affection.

OK, I'll admit treadmills are rarely set in amongst the most spectacular of scenery. Apart from the occasional well toned female passing en route to the cross trainer you either gaze at the wall or try to decipher what's on the wall-mounted television by moving dangerously near the edge of the treadmill belt to see around the person who's on the cycle in front of you. That said, the treadmill offers the opportunity to get miles under you belt when the weather suggests venturing outside is not the best option. It also allows you to push yourself in a way that road running doesn't always do.

Who hasn't played mind-games with treadmill? With five minutes left on the clock you dare yourself to up the speed....14.5..."Oh hell"...14.5...."How long is five minutes?"....15.5...16.0..."If the clock doesn't stop now I'm gonna fly straight off this machine and crash into the back wall".

I hope everyone out there had a great Christmas. I'll tell you what, that Santa bloke really knows his stuff. No sooner had I signed up to run the marathon than Father Christmas decides to replace all the usual presents (alcohol, chocolate and slippers) with incredibly 'useful' things like running shorts (x 2 pairs), running socks (x 3 pairs), cold weather running tops (x 2) and new trainers (x 1). Somehow I think others are taking my attempt seriously!

Soon after tearing into the Christmas goodies under the tree and boosted by the plethora of new gear I did the unthinkable. I donned a pair of shorts and running top, supplemented this with a ridiculous Mickey Mouse hat and length of tinsel and set of for a very brief circuit of Hereford city centre. Fortunately there were very few people about but, I did worry that the elderly lady pensioner who drove past me would end up in the hedge as she tried to contain her laughter!

Although praising the virtues of the treadmill, there is nothing like a run out in the Herefordshire countryside and armed with hat and gloves (why do gloves never keep my hands warm? and why do I look such a prat in a bobble-less hat?) I completed a fifteen miler on New Years Day to welcome in the 'Teenies'. Thankfully, despite one too many the night before I felt good and relatively pain-free. I hope this continues.

With less than sixteen weeks until the big day staying injury-free is the name of the game.

Until next time, check out the photos and enjoy a laugh at my expense!
Even better, if you can spare a few quid to help me towards my £2,000 total for Macmillan Cancer Support, please visit my JustGiving site here

Ian Sockett