In just a few days time I will do the hardest thing I have ever done – run the Brighton Marathon for CRY UK.

For those of you that have followed by “journey”, those that know me and even those that don’t, I must admit what will happen to me on Sunday fills me with a little dread, anticipation, excitement, nervousness, you name it.

Never before have I subjected my body to 26.2 miles of running. Saying that, I don’t think I have ever put it through the punishment of doing anything over ten miles, so this weekend will be unique in every respect.

If you don’t know who, what and why I am running the Brighton Marathon, the answer is simple, I’m running for a fantastic charity called CRY UK (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

The reason is because a friend of mine, Paul, lost his son Ben Daniels to a heart condition three years ago and I am running in his honour to raise funds for the charity and to raise awareness of the fact people as young as Ben was, 15, die of heart problems.

I don’t profess to be a runner of any description and up until a few months ago, I was far from it. Since Christmas I have been out as often as I can, getting as many miles under my belt in preparation.

Full credit must go to the wonderful people at Great Lines parkrun in Gillingham as they have helped me significantly along the way.

I’d like to offer my sincerest thanks to people like Tony Giles, Race Director, for persuading me to go along and run on a chilly winter morning along with several hundred other brave souls.

Doing parkruns is something I thought I would dread, but have learnt to enjoy and look forward to. I’ve run around the gruelling 5km course and got chatting to complete strangers who have offered me words of wisdom and encouragement.

My times have got better week after week too and last weekend coming home in just over 25 minutes was yet another personal best and one I am extremely proud of.

All of it has been about getting me as prepared as possible for the “main event”, but I will carry on doing parkruns well after the marathon is a distant memory.

I have so many questions about what the 26.2 miles is going to do to me and some have been answered, some not.

It’s the little things that have got my mind in a whirl. What time to go to bed the night before? What time to get up on the morning of the race? What can I eat for breakfast? Is the Full English in the hotel such a good idea? Do I run up the hills or walk? What happens if I need a pee half way round?

None of the books I have read have given me a definitive answer on any of the above and no one seems keen on answering the last question.

I plan to take every step with a smile on my face, try to look up and enjoy it all, soak it in and dare I say it, try and spot a few familiar faces in the crowd.

I’ve absolutely no expectations as to what time I will do the marathon in and nor do I really care. As long as I am not the last in of the 16,000 competitors and as long as I am back before it gets dark, I will be happy.”

Like the saying goes, it’s all about the taking part. Saying that, the Invicta Dynamos are playing the 2nd leg of their play-off semi-final against Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday evening and I’d love to be back by 5:15pm to watch the start of that.

Having not missed a home game all season, I’d like to see the guys book another final spot.

Going back to the reason I am doing it, I have undoubtedly been pestering people for sponsorship. I had a target of raising £750 for the charity and thanks to the good will of friends, family and complete strangers, I have already raised over £1000.

What can I say apart from thank you?

I won’t embarrass them all as they know who they are. Every pound sponsored will give me the will power and determination to carry on when I am hitting the wall.

I have been completely astounded the generosity of people and am truly humbled by the amounts donated and the fact complete strangers have been compelled to support me for such a great cause.

Throughout the race you can keep track on my progress should you wish by visiting the following website and entering my number, 7893 into their race tracker.

http://brighton.marathonapp.net./

Here you can also leave me words of support on the big screen at the 23 mile mark, which I look foward to seeing!

There is still time for anyone to add to the tally should you wish and I urge anyone that hasn’t already, don’t do it for me, do it for Ben.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveWolfe