My story

I signed up for the Edinburgh Marathon on September 20, 2011. Running a marathon had always been the biggest challenge I could imagine - it was the one thing that seemed least achievable in the world. If I could conquer that challenge, I would be INVINCIBLE!  That evening, I had my first training run - a tiring 1.5 miles on the treadmill.

Each step of the way, I've been terrified of the new distances I was supposed to cover. I remember being particularly scared before my first 4-miler! But every two weeks or so, I achieved a new distance until my longest run - 18 miles a few weeks ago.

Sticking with something challenging for eight months was a new experience for me. Making time for running on vacation in Venice, Los Angeles, and Manchester (one of these things is not like the other) was a new kind of dedication.  Yes, I lagged towards the end, but I'm still proud of how far I've come.

In addition to tackling the toughest challenge I have ever set for myself, I'm using this as an opportunity to help the Scottish SPCA. As you know, the care and treatment of animals is one of the things I am most passionate about in life.  And many of you are great animal lovers, too!  Rather than depressing you and myself with sad statistics about animal abuse, I'll just say that organizations like the Scottish SPCA (whose funding pot does not match the giant RSPCA) do invaluable work toward helping animals who have had a rough time in life.

Each and every £ that goes toward helping them in their work warms my heart.  If I can help just one animal have a better life, I am willing to leave everything I've got in every single mile.

So whether you want to help animals, encourage me through the deep dark "upper teen" miles ("I've come 17 miles and... there's still 9 miles to go?!"), congratulate me for my hard work so far (did I tell you I actually vomited after one training run??), or some combination of all of the above... I cannot express how much I appreciate any amount you are able to share.

It truly does make a difference both for the Scottish SPCA and especially for me!

My gallery 4

My Teams

My company

My charity

Scottish Society For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals

Scottish Society For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals

Charity Registration No. SC006467

The Scottish SPCA is Scotland's leading animal welfare charity. The Scottish SPCA is entirely separate from the RSPCA which works only in England and Wales. With no Government or lottery funding, the Society relies on the generosity of the Scottish public through donations, legacies and fundraising events.

Donations 13

 

What a wonderful charity, Karen. We're so proud of you.

13/06/12

£50.00

 

Way to go Karen!!! And for such an awesome cause:-) Bella says snore...snore...rub my belly and ignore your sore feet...snore...snore...

01/06/12

 

Very best of luck Karen!

26/05/12

£23.00

 

Good luck Karen! We'll be thinking of you as we sit on the couch getting fatter this weekend.

25/05/12

£20.00

 

Presidential Physical Fitness Testing has traumatized me too much to ever run. I'm (and the animals are) glad you don't suffer from the same PTSD.

24/05/12

£52.00

+ £13.00 Gift Aid

 

Best of luck. Hope that the final preparations are going well.

23/05/12

 

You go, Karen! I love reading your blog and think prevention of animal cruelty is a good cause, so I wish you a great race!

23/05/12

£10.00

 

Good luck Beebop. I, Leslie, Mima, Isabel, and Gizmo will be cheering for you.

23/05/12

£100.00

 

22/05/12

£75.00

+ £18.75 Gift Aid

 

Thank you for helping our fellow animals, and good luck!

22/05/12

£20.00

 

Good luck, Karen!

22/05/12

£20.00

 

Run for those innocent animals!!!!

21/05/12

£50.00

 

Run for the wee beasties!

20/05/12

£100.00

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$974.18
  • Offline donations$0.00
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$974.18
  • Gift Aid$69.53

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