26.2 miles seems a loooooooong way right now and after completing my first half marathon in Amsterdam, it's definitely going to be a long time running. I have but a few months to prepare myself for blisters, sore feet, tight calves and possibly no toenails. A few months of running in the cold, cold winter that Game of Thrones has taught me about. A few months of listening to podcasts on long runs by myself (and if you have any recommendations - I like knitting, books, NPR, films and music).

I also have a few months to raise as much money as I possibly can for an amazing charity, through who I got my marathon place. Did you know that 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental health problem every year? I work with some of these people. The problems they have can range from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder. Some of them are able to access the help they need, be it through hospitalisation or the right support networks. But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling.

And that is where charities such as Mind come in. Mind believe no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. They’ll listen, give support and advice, and fight the corner of those that need they’re corner fought for them. Mind help to empower people to understand their condition and the choices available to them through:

• Infoline which offers callers confidential help for the price of a local call
• Legal Advice Service which provides information on mental health related law to the public, service users, family members/carers, mental health professionals and mental health advocates; and,
• Award-winning publications and website, now certified by the Information Standard.

All of these things cost money, and so to raise money for a charity that will help so many people throughout their lives is the least I can do. What are blisters and a lost toenail compared to a support network and people fighting your corner?