Over the last 10 years, I've spent a lot of time cheering others on as they crossed marathon and triathlon finish lines. 

In July 2010 I started thinking about how amazing it would feel to cross one of those finish lines myself, but I was tied up with work and social stuff and probably in the worst physical condition of my life. 

Then tragically, Dad died suddenly and in traumatic circumstances. He was coming up to retirement and had been telling us all how he was going to enter for the 2012 London marathon. 

As 2010 drew to a close I decided that I'd take up that challenge in his memory. The plan was to start training in the spring so I'd have a full year to get myself ready. But then life threw me a wonderful baby-shaped curve-ball and I shelved my marathon dream for another day.

Late September 2012, I happened to be in Berlin when the marathon was on. The atmosphere was fantastic, the city fascinating, and the course looked so wonderfully flat! This was going to be the marathon for me.

Since the beginning of 2014 I've been working hard to get myself ready. I became a very contented non-smoker at 11.45pm on 31/12/2013, I've mostly quit the cake and wine and have lost nearly 2 stone as a consequence - that's a lot of wine and cake!! The running's coming on well too, which is a relief, and I'm on track to making it through to that Berlin finish line.

I've chosen to run on behalf of Save the Children for two reasons. The first is that it was one of Dad's favorite charities; and the second is that I want to support them in the great work they do around the world. They save children's lives. They fight for their rights. And they help them fulfill their potential. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.