Hi, my name is Isobel and I am striding for stroke in memory of my amazing Dad.

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My Striding Challenge:

1. Join the Desford Striders

2. Complete the Stride for Stroke 10,000 steps for 130 days - this is one step for each of the 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK

3. Complete the London 2022 Marathon.

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In August 2021, we lost my Dad, Stuart, to a stroke. It was a devastating shock to all that knew him that someone still in the prime of their life (56 years old) could be taken from us so soon and so quickly.

When he died, my Dad was six weeks away from the biggest challenge of his life: running the London Marathon. Having joined Desford Striders running club a few years prior, he went from strength to strength with his running - from the boxes and boxes of running trainers stacked up in his room to the numerous running tops and medals he achieved from various races he had competed in. My Dad often described himself as a ‘well-nourished’ runner but he was incredible at what he did. With a cheeky twinkle in his eye and his supportive mantra of JFDI (just f***ing do it), my Dad did just f***ing do it! We all thought he was insane to take on a marathon, but deep down knew that his dedication to his running and his club would be more than enough to see him through with a good time.

Many months have passed since then, but the grief is obviously still so raw. Everything my Dad did was to make us happy and to help us. I want to continue to try and be happy because I know that’s what my Dad would want, but I also want to make the most of my life because you just never know what is around the corner for you.

This is why after a lot of thought and lots of supportive encouragement from Desford Striders, I have decided to take on the London Marathon in my Dad's place. I have felt so conflicted about taking this on because, although I want to do it for my Dad, actually he just wanted to bloody do it himself! But nonetheless, I am doing this for him, myself, and for the Stroke Association.

Although my experience with stroke was short-lived, the devastating impact of it certainly isn’t. I was shocked to learn that the life-saving surgery my Dad had - although it wasn't successful in his case - was actually something relatively new. When you read about stroke you learn that it wasn’t until around 20 years ago that we started to take it more seriously. That it’s not just something that happens to older people and that there IS something we can do about it. The Stroke Association work to support those affected by stroke but also carry out vital research in the hope that one day we won’t need to lose anyone to stroke. Stroke research - in comparison to the other big four diseases - is severely underfunded. This needs to change. If we have learned anything from this pandemic it is that cures, medication, and solutions can be found and that it IS possible.

I am an all-or-nothing kind of girl, so going couch to marathon would seem about right! Alongside this, I will be doing the Stride for Stroke challenge to do 10,000 steps a day over 130 days - this is one step for each of the 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK.

My target is to raise £1000 for the Stroke Association over the next 10 months before the big day! I would be beyond grateful if you would consider a donation on my JustGiving page here. But more than anything I would absolutely love to have your support on this journey. Firstly, I want to be accountable. Secondly, I would love to get conversations going around running and stroke. And finally, I want to document my whole journey and hope that my Dad is watching over and is proud of what I am doing.

This is for you Dad

JFDI