THERE are challenges and there are challenges … and for one man working for a Reading firm, he is wondering if he has bitten off more than he can dog chew.
James Wood, 35, is preparing to run not one but two full marathons in the space of a fortnight – his first attempt at the gruelling 26.2-mile distance. A walk in the park for some doggos, but to make the challenge even tougher, James became a dad at Christmas, so his training schedule has been mixed with nappy changing and feeding routines.
He is running in aid of Dogs For Good, a charity specialising in training assistance dogs to help make life-changing differences for people living with disabilities.
Having visited staff at the training centre and met some of the people who the charity match animals to, James is more determined than ever to raise as much as he can.
The Brighton race is on Sunday, April 7, while the London race will be on April 21.
“Doing both marathons was too good an opportunity to pass up,” says James.
“My wife ran the London Marathon last year which inspired me to complete one myself.
“I quickly signed up to the Brighton Marathon thinking it would be too hard to get a place in London and was eager to focus on a new fitness goal.”
He continued: “When I signed up, we didn’t know we were expecting our first child, and certainly didn’t anticipate our son, Bobby, being born on Christmas Day – which slightly put a bump in the training.
“Despite a few broken nights, I’ve managed to keep my training going and have hit the 16-mile mark so far.
“In January, I received a call from Dogs for Good saying they’d had a runner drop-out from their London Marathon team. They asked if I’d like to take their place on the start line.
“I jumped at the chance as it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – though I’m not sure my wife felt quite the same way, knowing how much I’d be out training.”
He is hoping to raise as much money as possible – with £1,000 being the minimum target.
His employer Practice Plus Group, an independent healthcare provider which offers NHS treatment as well as a private option in Wellsoon – offers staff participating in charity events a matchfund of up to £500 which will help him reach his target.
James fits his training in around his Content Specialist role at Practice Plus Group’s head office in Reading, and finds the pavement pounding a great way to mentally switch off and provide him with some “me time”.
Tina Williams, regional and events fundraiser for Dogs for Good, said: “We are so happy that James has chosen to run for us and very grateful that James is running two marathons for us and raising much-needed funds.
“Our charity counts on contributions and efforts from people like James, and the Spring marathon season amounts to some of the year’s biggest fundraisers.
“Support from our runners gives us vital funds to help train more dogs to help people with a range of disabilities. We wish him lots of luck for both events and will be cheering him on.”
For more details, or to donate, log on to: www.dogsforgood.org
