Hello there,

Thanks so much for dropping by.

I can't believe I’m going to run the London marathon ey, can you? I must be mad. Here is how it happened...

My housemate Alexie (super fit and winner of races) had been on at me to try running and do a 'Parkrun'. (They are a wonderful organisation who organise free 5K runs every Saturday morning for all abilities in a park near you - check them out!) I put it off again and again because I was embarrassed, though I might not make it round, etc. WRONG! I was okay at running and got a fairly decent time. I enjoyed it and went back on a few more occasions, always wanting to beat my previous time.

Then they held a competition. Each week, over three weeks just by taking part in the event you could be entered into a ballot to win places in the marathon. I really wanted to win it and on the third week I bloomin' well did out of well over a 1000 entries! So now I'm traipsing around on ice and in snow to get race ready! I'm so excited!

I'm running for OCDUK a brilliant charity that help people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In case you don’t know much about it….cut and pasted straight from their website….’OCD is a serious anxiety-related condition where a person experiences frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts, often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges. The illness affects as many as 12 in every 1000 people (1.2% of the population) from young children to adults, regardless of gender or social or cultural background. In fact, it can be so debilitating and disabling that the World Health Organisation has actually ranked OCD in the top ten of the most disabling illnesses of any kind.'

As you may or may not know I have been affected by OCD in varying degrees since I was 17 years old. Sometimes it hasn't affected my life in a major way and other times it has got the better of me. Last year I must admit was a real toughie and low point but OCDUK helped me as a source of information and through the conferences they hold. Through information I received I was able to source the best help in the country and now I can safely say that I am having a much better year already and confident I'll beat it. Happy days!

I really believe in this charity's mission is to raise awareness among health professionals and amongst the general public. Many people would be forgiven for thinking that OCD is just when people wash their hands a bit too much or want things in a particular order but this often 'secretive disorder' can have a totally devastating impact on a person’s entire life effecting their work and personal relationships. I'm just really happy that I can help others who might find themselves in this situation.

Anyway, I really appreciate you reading this and any donation will be so greatly received. This experience is currently proving to be a bit of a life changer for me!

If you are around in London on April 22nd and fancy enjoying the day I will definitely hobble to the bar afterwards and buy you a pint! I won't be wearing any funky costumes I don't think, though suggestions welcome!

Much love and thanks again,

Nicola x