I have totally lost the plot this time and have committed to something that I really DO NOT have the ability to do. Fun mud runs aside, when I signed up for this a couple of months back, the only ‘pure running’ event I had done was the 5k Colour Run in Brighton last year.

5k folks. That’s about 3 miles. 

But in a moment of madness, I thought that if I can (just about) run 3 miles, then surely I can run 13 of them… and then I went and ended
up with ligament damage when I took part in my second ever running event, the Vitality 10k, over the May Bank Holiday weekend – apparently, you really do need to train and build up to these things. Who knew?

So anyway, in March I will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon. It’s going to hurt. A lot. That’s what makes it a challenge
though and that’s why, despite doing countless mud runs, obstacle courses, marathon walks etc., this is the only event that I’m asking for sponsorship for. The others are fun. This is the tough one.  

So please, dig deep. Or shallow. It really doesn’t matter, just dig. Whether you believe in the charity I’m raising money for (more on
that to follow) or are just kind enough to show your support for me, I would be grateful for any sized donation. People always say this but it really does all add up and the more sponsorship I can get, the more pressure I will be under on the day to pick up my heels and get my butt moving.

FYI – I will be running the whole thing. I may run slower than a sloth trudging through treacle, but I will be running it, not walking.

Now for the cause. I thought long and hard about this and almost went for one of the bigger, well-known charities, but my reasons for that would have been all wrong. I could possibly raise a bigger total that
way, but it’s not about the amount raised, it’s about what the charity can do with it. I feel that the bigger charities get a lot of support already, so I
decided to raise money for a smaller one that might be overlooked.  

I’ve gone for Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge.  They rescue animals (mainly dogs and cats, but other animals too) that are unwanted, abandoned, or waiting on death row in Wales. The centre is, quite literally, their last chance. This is where we rescued my first dog from when I was 14. Fred was hands-down one of the greatest dogs on the planet and giving him a home was the best thing we ever did. Fred loved to run, and he did so right till the end of his long and happy life (not long enough, but that’s dogs for you – we’re never ready to lose
them). When pain, sweat, tears, but hopefully no blood, are all bursting out of me on March 25^th 2018, I can only hope that the memory of Fred running towards me at full speed, faster than his legs can carry him, will spur me to keep running too.  

Thank you in advance for all your support, donations and inevitable
sarcastic comments about how it’s hard not to spill your wine while running. Any offers of a glass at the finish line will, of course, be gratefully received.

Lauren

xx