Hello Everyone,
My name is Alan Nelless, I am 50 years old [god that sounds bad] and I am proud to be running for St. Georges in the Brighton marathon, 2012. I live in Woking, Surrey and I am married with 3 children and 1 gorgeous grandaughter. My interest with Georges is due to family and friends frequenting the place far too many times to ignore.

It was 2011 when I finally secured a place in the London marathon and used that to raise a small amount for the guys at the hospital, pledging never to run again I seem to remember Maribel. Anyway soon forgot about that and here I am realising my body is past its best, [long ago] the knees are knackered but the mind is willing, well most of the time.

Just under 12 weeks to go and believe me that's not long, my training has become regular since the new year started.
I go out 3 times a week, Tuesday, Thursday and a long run on Sundays. At present this consists of just 5.5 miles on Tuesday and Thursday with 9.5 on Sunday and yes the half's do count!! Last year in preparation for London, I feel on reflection, I overdid the mileage and was probably doing another 10 miles over this at this stage which ultimately took its toll on the knees and they had serious trouble in the final 4 week build up. Unfortunately all my training is done on the hard roads and pavements. 
I totally despair at going out of an evening into the dark cold wetness sometimes but once you get up the road and into the swing its never quite so bad, actually the rain is quite refreshing, better than the sunshine.
I found writing a blog helped me immensely last year and have continued that this year. It is also a very good way to keep your friends and colleagues up to scratch on progress and keeps your challenge in their minds, good for raising funds. 
I have a fundraising page at   http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
so please feel free to have a browse.

I wish each and everyone of my fellow George runners the very best of fortune both in the run and raising funds. On the day I will be the old boy with red face and bandaged knees - look out for the smiley faces. I look forward to meeting you all at the finish, if you'll wait around for me that is.

Regards,

Alan.