On Jan 2nd  2017,  having hit the big 4-0 at the end of 2016 and being able to comfortably run 10km in under an hour I decided to set myself a challenge to run a Half Marathon.  Slowly but surely through 2017 I increased my distance, joined a gym to undertake strengthening training, had a couple of “Sports massages” as that’s what runners do right?  I took out a subscription with “Women’s running” magazine to get some inspiration and tips.  I entered a couple of 10K races to get the feel for running in an event with others rather just pounding the pavements on my own.  I fitted in the training around the juggle of working at Airbus, being a Mummy on the school run and getting the children to all their after school activities, a wife, a friend and helping on other bodies such as our school PTA, supporting my local Methodist church and singing with the Rock Choir. I also did a couple of “Virtual runs” as I also realised I loved the bling!!  By spring I realised that I had “The running bug”.  

As the date for my first Half Marathon approached (Aug 27th)  I realised I was getting good, getting stronger and I didn’t want the training to go to waste so I also entered Cardiff Half for 1st October.  I ran the entire route of both events and I loved it. I loved the sense of achievement.   I realised how much I wanted to keep improving, and how much I would need a new challenge when this one was achieved.

Along the way I have inspired three mums at the school gate to do couch to 5K and I’m now coaching them up to 10K.   I have motivated another mum to take up Park Run. My Husband Barry, felt he needed to keep up with me so he took part in a sponsored Aquathlon in July.  I’ve also started to take my family (husband and two daughters; Sophie aged 8 & Chloe aged 6) to our local Park Run.  Sophie has been inspired to take up cross country running at school and she came third in her age group for a cross country 1 mile run (Chepstow Stampede) in October. I really want to continue to inspire those around me.  I think it’s important that my daughters see their Mummy doing sport and having goals.

My goal to do the Severn Bridge HM was for me, to prove to me that I could do something outside my comfort zone, something I’d previously thought unachievable.  But now I’d like this next challenge to be for others too. So running for The British Heart Foundation will really help me to use my love of running and growing confidence to help others.

I’d love to run knowing that I’m helping BHF raise funds for important research, community work, training and treatments. 

My target is £2000 and this money could be used to cover the costs of a research project ,that’s building new healthy pieces of heart, for a whole week! New heart tissue could be used in the future to treat heart failure and is a main focus of the BHF's work. Having heart failure means that for some reason one’s heart is not pumping blood around the body as well as it used to. The most common reason is that the heart muscle has been damaged, often as a result of a heart attack. BHF have made great breakthroughs in heart failure medicines but they need more money to invest in this vital research so one day we can mend these broken hearts.

Please please support this fantastic cause and help me reach my total and realise my potential to raise funds for such a worthy cause and to help me fly the flag for believing in yourself.

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