Running, splashing and leaping...

...is what I've been doing an awful lot of lately. I joined the gym a couple of weeks ago and have already had three personal training sessions, the first of which involved measuring me all over and coming to the conclusion that I need to increase the circumference of my thighs if I'm going to be a half marathon runner extraordinaire.

Since then I've been diligently gymifying 3 times a week, doing a long run outside once a week and swimming whenever possible. I ran for an hour this morning in Battersea Park without too much difficulty and now I'm feeling pretty good. Of course this means that I will probably crash onto a mega exercise plateau soon and loll around lazily unable to stir myself to do more than stuff my face with tasty titbits, in the style of Kung Fu Panda on reaching the holy temple.

I don't know whether any of this has increased the circumference of my thighs, but I do know that I'm feeling good and getting stronger, which I hope will help me when I get to India in September (not to mention the 13.1 miles I've got to run before then).

Fundraising is going well - the second curry night was fun, and it was lovely to catch up with Phil, Rhiannon and Ewan over yet more poppodoms. The next event is a cake sale next Friday at work... in the meantime Adam and I will have fun practicing our cake-baking (and tasting) technique.

Poppodoms are doing it for themselves...

Jamie, Leonie, Rhiannon, David and Adam were in attendance at the inaugural charity curry evening at Winstanley Road on Sunday 6 July. The fundraising event, hosted by Ros to raise money for Raleigh International, got off to a fine start as the chef guzzled half a bottle of the wine she'd bought to water her guests.

Luckily, a drunken crisis was averted with the arrival of a surfeit of poppodoms served with a delicate array of homemade pickles and chutneys (bar the one jar of Sharwoods that somehow sneaked on to the dining table) - a combination that delivered both panache and punch and more than amused the old bouche.

This was followed by an assortment of main dishes, naans and rice, oozing delicate yet complex flavours ranging from coriander to coconut, chicken (off the bone) to chickpea. The meal was rounded off soundly with a platter of fresh fruit exuding summer goodness perfectly complemented by Haagen Daz's finest, as well as a pot of fresh mint tea wot Ros brewed 'erself.

A sophisticated, stylish soiree, perfectly complemented by the dazzling wit and geniality of the assembled party. The evening was also a storming success on the financial front, raising a grand total of £100 for Raleigh International Trust.

Ros commented "I am grateful to all who attended the charity curry evening. Not only was your company scintillating, but the money you donated at this event brings my fundraising total up to the all important 25% mark! Thank you again for coming along and making this evening such a success."

Spare places remain at the next charity curry evening on 17 July. Email Ros for more details.

Fundraising update

Update from me on my fundraising and fitness efforts. Several people have already donated through my Windsor half marathon Justgiving page, for which I'm extremely grateful. This means I'm now 21% of the way towards my target amount, which is fabulous considering the site only went live a couple of weeks ago! Thank you all so much!

Please consider sponsoring me for the Windsor half marathon, if you haven't already. You can also enter a competition to win £25 by guessing my time - simply send / give me £1 and let me know the time you guess (in hours, minutes and seconds) - nearest guess wins the £25! In other news….

Charity curry nights

Dates are now set for the two forthcoming charity curry nights - 6pm this Sunday (6th July) and 7pm on Thursday 17th July.

For a mere £20 donation to Raleigh, I will provide a delicious curry feast including veggie options, dessert and drinks. Better still, I pledge to cook a more authentic Indian meal for all donors, also including drinks (well chai!), some time in January 2009 when I'm back from India - FOR FREE!!!!

Culinary preferences and requirements (more or less vegetarian stuff, strength, spiciness etc.) can be met on demand. Email me if you'd like to come, as there are still some places left.

Training and pre-trip preparation

Training has begun in earnest for the Windsor Half Marathon. Adam and I have just spent a lovely long weekend in Cornwall, which involved hiking along the coast west of St Ives (both of us) and early morning pre-full-English-breakfast-runs (me).

Unfortunately I undid most of the good work by eating and drinking rather a lot, but surely Cornish pasties fall into the "carb loading" category? We also both managed to turn an alarming shade of "Rose de Langoustine" in the process, which made me realise that I really do need to be more sensible about things like sunblock, even in rainy England.

We also put in some more educational "training" at the Eden project, firstly by taking part in a gradual process of acclimatisation in the tropical biome (where I learned that it is bluddy hot in the tropics!) as well as learning about how plants, animals and people in the tropical rainforest fit together and finding out about the Gardens for Life pilot project which promotes partnerships between schools, children and teachers in the UK, Africa and India.

All useful information to bear in mind for my own trip to India (especially the bluddy hot part). In other preparation, I've also booked an appointment at the doctors for a week on Friday where I hope to do a good impression of a pin cushion.