PawprintsThis August I‘m partaking in the Norwich 10k- my first public run.

Rewind to October 2016 and I was a size 24, I didn‘t do exercise as I would have looked like a tomato dripping with sweat after roughly 30 seconds! I joined Slimming World and have so far shed 6 stone and currently wear a size 14/16.

Mid last year I did the couch to 5k programme; I ran in a desserted industrial estate late at night just so that noone could see me. My first ‘run’ I couldnt even manage one minute before feeling as though my lungs were on fire and my legs were going to give out on me. It was pure torture.

I persevered through all of the thigh ache and carried on until the end; I found out that I actually quite enjoyed running, once I built up a little bit of stamina! Once I hit my first 5k run I stopped, I took some time off my diet for celebrations and have not ran since August.

I’ve now got 5 months to get back into the swing of it, and double my personal best!

Tristan‘s Trust- My old school friend Rebecca Hoedemaker is currently raising funds to open up a dog shelter in memory of her late husband, Tristan.

Tristan was a huge animal lover and was training at a Vets when he came down with flu like symptoms mid November 2017. When these didn‘t ease, Becca (who‘s an A&E nurse) told him to take a trip to the hospital just to get checked over. On the 2nd of December he was diagnosed with a rare and agressive sarcoma and was given little time left. His last wish was to marry Becca, and on the 8th that wish came true.

Only 3 days later on the 11th, Tristan lost his battle at only 27 years old. Becca and Tristan‘s family are now wanting to open the dog rescue he’d dreamed of, in his name.

Becca is always such a bright and bubbly person, always willing to help anyone in need (albeit, a little bit crazy!) Both herself and Tristan were hugely into their fitness and participated in many different events themselves to raise money for fantastic causes. It seems only fitting that I return the favour.

Siobhan x