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In April 2018, at the age of 49 and a half, I began the couch to 5k programme.  I never thought I could run but inspired by my husband, Damian, running parkruns every Saturday and joining a running club, I wanted to see if I could do it too. By my 50th Birthday I had lost 4 stone in weight (thanks to Slimming World) and had run parkruns, 5k and 10k races.  I had never felt better. Since then I've run 6 half marathons and the Great South Run (10 miles) as well as many cross country and road league races. 

I have watched every single London Marathon since the first one in 1981.  Just hearing the theme music makes me emotional. Every year I would watch these incredible people and wonder how on earth they could run that far.  It felt impossible to me, a super human feat. So, here I am at 51 and in 2020 it will be ME . In December I won the Farnham Runners VLM ballot.  I was so shocked.  I still can't quite believe it but I am so excited. 

I have decided to raise money for Dystonia UK.  In January 2000 I lost my voice suddenly and my speech changed forever.  It was another 16 years before I finally got a diagnosis of Spasmodic Dysphonia/Vocal Dystonia. SD is a rare neurological disorder affecting 1 in a 100,000 people. I have never met anyone in real life who has my disorder.  There is no cure.  For me it has been life changing.  Talking on the telephone and speaking in general is something that is extremely difficult for me.  However I have remained mostly positive over the years and continue to run my own theatre school for children.   By running for Dystonia UK I hope to raise awareness about my disorder and dystonia in general. 

Thank you so much for any donation received.  I am incredibly grateful. 

Jane

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