WHEN I set out on the road to running a marathon I never expected it to take me to the hallowed turf of sacred Twickenham – twice – or shaking the hands of a prince in the England rugby team’s changing rooms, writes Rebecca Curley in this month's Reluctant Runner column.

But that is where it has led.

And I am no longer feeling reluctant.

It has been a bad few weeks with a recurring tooth problem, but I now feel more motivated than ever. On Sunday I was lucky enough to attend a runners’ day hosted by the RFU’s Injured Players Foundation (IPF) who I am running and fundraising for.

In the (very plush) back rooms of Twickenham Stadium we got to meet other runners, many of whom I was relieved to find out were doing the London Marathon for the first time too, as well as listen to a series of workshops on nutrition and hydration, injury prevention and fundraising.

One thing I have found difficult with all the training is all the advice I am constantly being told or reading about. It’s like when you are pregnant or with a newborn. Everyone suddenly wants to tell you their nugget of information that will revolutionise how you sleep at night, or how you will cope with weaning, or how you will discipline.

There is so much out there on training plans, drinks to take with you, food to eat. It was all getting a bit much.

So that’s why Sunday was a blessing. We got sound advice among others in the same situation as me. And we got to meet Prince Harry – patron of the charity. We got to hear from some players who have been helped by the charity and hear some incredibly inspiring stories. I was encouraged to hear I am doing things right, I’m on the right track and I’m not alone. Not alone in feeling I’ll be the last one back, not alone in worrying will I raise the money needed? Not alone in finding it hard to fit in training around work, school-runs, hoovering, being the kids’ taxi at weekends and general life.

It is now just under three months until I take the long stroll up to the start line. I am 14 (hopefully 15 by the time you read this) miles further along in my training and £600 in to my fundraising.

I don’t know it all, but I know what is working for me. The training plan I included last time – yep scrapped that! Well, not scrapped completely, but lets say it has now been adjusted to fit into the fact that I can’t schedule my life when I’m not training for a marathon, so there is now way I should start scheduling now. To the point that I am now running at 6am rather than 6pm as getting up while everyone is asleep is easier than waiting until the kids go – or don’t go – to bed. I feel confident with what I need to know and be doing. I know I can get it done with a little help from Mr C and getting up early to see the sunrise over Slough streets – plus the odd rat scuttle out of my way.

Here are my nuggets I took away from the runners day at Twickers:

Hydrate regularly after one hour of running. You can make up your own energy drinks with 50% mix of fruit juice and water and some good salt.

Pains in joints/muscles/chest are signs from your body that you may be developing an injury.

Losing a bit more weight will mean less weight to carry while running.

Make fundraising fun.