Choosing a fundraising site

I really want to make the most of any money I raise during my challenge, so I've given careful thought to how to do my fundraising.

A fundraising website is most probably the best way to do it. Here's the boring maths bit (feel free to skip and just be reassured that I've done some research)...

I looked at Virgin Money Giving - a not-for profit organisation, which takes 2% in charges and results in a £12.15 going to the nominated charity for every £10 donated (with Gift Aid).

I also looked at Just Giving - which takes 5% and £11.74 goes to the nominated charity for every £10 donated (with Gift Aid).

So Virgin Money Giving wins, right? Nope.

My charity, Smile Train UK, is not a member of Virgin Money Giving, but another similar charity, Operation Smile UK, is. They basically do the same thing - providing free corrective surgery for children with cleft lip and palate in developing countries. They were once the same organisation, but Smile Train separated from Operation Smile in 2009 for good reasons and OS, from what I can gather from reading the financial information, spends a larger percentage of its cash on running costs than ST.

So I've decided on Just Giving. And Smile Train.... and I'll post the link here soon.

I ran three miles non-stop!

Woohoo! Well it might be a small achievement for other people, but it's quite a big deal for me.

According to MapMyRun, I ran 3.12 miles in 29 mins. And most importantly, I didn't stop! Not once!

Maybe it's my magic new running shoes, or maybe I'm just improving.

I've been going out a bit on my own (without my boyfriend Andy, who has been helping me with the motivation) and I'm finding that going at my own pace with just my iPod for company is really helping me to keep going.

I'm still having trouble with the shin splints in one leg (not helped by the fact I fell down the stairs today while staring at my phone on my way out to run!) but I have given it a few days' rest and it feels a little easier now. The new trainers should see it right.

I've been on a few runs since I last blogged. I went down to Ilkley with my friend Emma ahead of the Race For Life and we ran about three miles along the river - a really nice short route to bear in mind for the future.

We saw some lovely little piglets, which broke our stride a bit!

Here they are:

We also had to tackle the stepping stones. Needless to say we didn't run that bit. It wasn't too scary, but I wouldn't fancy it if the river was much higher!

I've also been out on a run along the Stray in Harrogate. Lots of runners about and a very civilised place to put in a few miles.

Race For Life in two days... Fingers crossed for a sub-half hour time and another non-stop run.