I started running in October 2018 with the couch to 5k app. At the time I was signed off work sick, after my world turned upside down when my younger brother had a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain. Running gave me the space I needed to work through all the crap that was going on in life at that time. On the day that Tom went into surgery to have the AVM on his brain removed, going for a run kept me from spiralling into a negative thought pit! 

So I kept running and started to cover more and more distance and suddenly, almost three years to the day since I started, I’m running my first marathon. Seems only fitting that I should run for the ARNI charity who have provided my brother with so much support and rehab. He’s working with other stroke survivors and increasing confidence in his own ability. They’re a small charity and they’re doing crucial work - they’ve done so much for my brother, I want to give back as much as possible. 

To understand more about my brother and his experiences, read his piece in the Nottingham post. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/im-still-trying-adapt-devastating-3754224