Phase 1 of the Flora London Marathon 2009 online entry ballot has now closed

[El Gordo]

Now what would you be doing looking at a site like that, Andy ?

Hi Nigel. It's almost as shocking to see you in here as it is me these days...

I'd been following the RW forum thread about the FLM entry system, and someone mentioned the £32 entry. I thought "Crikey, that's cheap." And wanted to compare it. So the answer? Idle curiosity.

Mainly...... I also recall you idly suggesting that maybe we should all go for it sometime.

I'm conscious that I need to offer some kind of update about my pathetic athletic state. I'm also conscious, Nigel, that I've been too rude to reply to your last mail. But my hesitancy is bound up with my even-greater-than-usual uncertainty about whether I'm a runner anymore, and even more tellingly, whether I'm a writer anymore. My inner jury is out. We must definitely get together soon, but I'm a bit all-over-the-place at the moment. Bear with me.

All that said, when I saw Suzie's earlier message about running FLM next year, some RC instinct stirred, and I did wonder whether this would be a great opportunity not just to do it again, but to revive the community thing that I seem on the verge of unwittingly killing.

And now I see Nigel entering, and Sweder talking about it... [SIZE="1"](But hang on Sweder, aren't you committed to TOM next year?)[/SIZE] What if Glaconman and SW went for it? And some of our great Spanish friends?

Or is the idea good but the venue bad? i.e. could we build an Almeria-style re-bonding around a marathon, and a marathon that's a lot easier to enter than FLM? One that we might even get RB and BB along to? Or (gulp) MLCM? Or (double-gulp) the magnificent SP?

Is there an event that's right in terms of distance, location, time of year, ease of entry....?

Maybe it is FLM. I'd do it for the JDRF, or another charity, if I can't get in via the ballot.

Any thoughts?

-----------

[SIZE="1"]** ASIDE FOR SWEDER: I'm commited to raising my £1500 for the JDRF incidentally, even though I couldn't get to Boston. M is organising a JDRF fund-raising event at her work tomorrow, and I've also got a match-funding up to £250 from my own work for something I'll do later in the year. So while I cocked up yet again in my running aspirations, the JDRF won't suffer.[/SIZE]