What am I doing? Before this year I had never run a marathon. I said I would only do a marathon if I could give it the respect that it is due and train properly for it.

My first marathon in April 2018 was the London Marathon, the hottest on record. This really impacted my performance on the day and I was determined from the very next day that I would run another marathon (not necessarily this year though) and beat the 4 hour mark that I had trained for (I was outside that time by over 40 minutes).

So, I am back in training for that sub 4 hour mission, with my most local marathon in Chelmsford the goal on 21st October (squeaky bum time even just typing this!).

Why Mental Health UK? 3 reasons.

1. You never know who is struggling with their mental health. The person sat next to you in the office, your partner, your child, your parent, your friend...could be any of them, could be all of them. I want to support the great work that they do PLUS also just get the message out there that it is ok to talk about your mental health issues and concerns.

2. I know that exercise is really good for your mental health too. So what better way to raise some monies and awareness than through a challenge that helps all of those taking part (I look forward to my chats and catch ups with friends on my long Sunday run - I give them a right good talking to.

3. I have worked with a homeless charity for a couple of years now. The person that I work with has said to me that if you could fix mental health you would fix most of the homelessness that exists.

4. Lloyds Bank who I work for, has been working with Mental Health UK for the last 18 months, and I have seen the difference that supporting this charity has made in my workplace. People that I work with our able to bring their whole selves to work. At that has been really empowering.

So, if you can spare some time and some pennies, it will all help to spur me on for that bl@@dy sub 4 hour time that I am desperate to achieve. I am quite happy if you tell me that you will sponsor me if I hit the sub 4 hour, as that will give me even more reason to achieve it on 21st October.

Who got me into this marathon running stuff? I will get them when I remember who it was.