Eek can't keep up.
Firstly Moshi welll done for reaching a decision, I always feel better once a decision has been reached, otherwise it just hangs over you.
Re baby due dates - DS1 was induced 3 weeks early (there were indications that he had stopped growing), so when I reached a similar stage with DS2 it was a bit of shock when I realised he was not going to be born at 37 weeks. He was born about 10 days early though, arrived about 2.5 hours after we arrived in hospital. We got there at 2.30am, shown into delivery suite with promise that midwife would be along "in a minute". I just wanted to lie down on the bed, but did not want to take my shoes off as this would look very presumptious (ie in the sense it would look like I was assuming I was staying) so I didn't take my shoes off, or lie down (weird what goes through you head at these times!). When the midwife eventually turned up, discovered I was 8cm and almost ready to go.
(Sorry have digressed somewhat)
All this talk of babies though - went to secondary school open evening with DS2 last night, as he is currently in Y6. DS1 currently Y10. Where have my babies gone?
Still no running for me as giving my calf a rest. However decided to go for a cycle ride yesterday...decided I wanted to go to garden centre 20 miles away, and if I cycled there, I could spend more money! Thing is though, I ended up having lunch (hot meal) in the restaurant so not much money saved, plus the moneythat I spend on bulbs...Was great having a Garmin though as could keep an eye on my progress. Journey there was a bit of a killer as riding into the wind, in fact it took about 10 minutes to get out of my village, and I almost gave up and went home. Journey there took 2hrs 20 (with several stops to check map), journey home 1hr 40. So felt pleased with my efforts as don't cycle on regular basis. Major arse-ache now though.
Fanny re charity place for marathon- have you though of asking smaller local charities? I think all charities are charged the same price for a marathon place (in region of £300 I thought, but maybe more) but then it is up to them how much they say a runner has to raise. Think the bigger the charity the more money they expect you to raise. On the other hand, raising the money is not as hard as you may think. I raised over £1000 for Cancer Relief - I just had a normal, ballot place not a charity place and so no obligation. I think people are really keen to sponsor those running a marathon. I was certainly sponsored by people I had never met (eg a friend of my mum's). Friends who have had charity places have raised the money by doing coffee mornings, quiz night etc.