In 2022 I completed my first (and second) ultramarathon whilst raising funds for Let’s Talk Well. Despite (or maybe because of) the huge strain running long distances has both physically and psychologically, this sparked a love of long distance running which is now a huge part of who I am, and I make no secret about the positive impact running has on my mental health.

This year I am planning on embarking on a new challenge – The Pegasus Slam. This involves running an ultramarathon every month from April to September, equating to 210 miles and 23,515ft of elevation -more than Mount Kilimanjaro! Although these figures are a drop in the ocean compared to the miles behind the scenes preparing for the events.

The Pegasus Slam is an event I have toyed with entering for a while. However, I have shied away due to the reality of the sheer amount of time and effort involved in maintaining the required level of fitness to run these distances over an extended period, whilst also balancing recovery and maintaining the mental strength to keep going when one finish line has been reached but the next start line is looming in the near distance. After a few poignant reminders last year about the preciousness of time, along with a fair bit of training to get to this point, 2026 is looking to be dominated by running for me:

April 4th - THE BOWUM – 30miles

May 2nd - THE HOWUM – 30miles

June 6th - THE VOGUM – 40miles

July 4th - THE PIGUM – 30miles

August 1st - THE EDDUM – 50miles

September 5th - THE RIDUM – 30miles

The Slam will be a test of both physical and mental resilience for me and whilst I have already learnt through running that almost anything is possible with enough determination, I am combining it with another subject which I remain passionate about; that every young person should have someone to talk to.

Knowing your donations will support Let's Talk Well to provide vital support to young people and their families in Gloucestershire by helping them build resilience and develop strategies to navigate life's challenges now and in the future, will help fuel my determination to cross all six finish lines and help ensure that more young people have access to the support they need.