Many of you know that I'm embarking on my biggest challenge yet; the London Marathon 2017. My personal best is a half marathon in 2015, but this time I'm going the whole hog.

I'm now giving up: my social life, social smoking and most probably any sort of boozing - social or otherwise (for at least a few months before the race (shock horror! can she do it?!)) and dedicating my world to training for this.

I'm aiming for 4hrs and 30mins and will be running every single step in memory of my grandad whom I promised I would nail this challenge before he died last December.

My grandad, Norman, lived a large proportion of his life deaf blind- that's no sight, no hearing, locked in your own world, where your thoughts rattle around your head with very little way of voicing them. Certainly when he got older and it became too much of an effort to speak, it must have been like solitary confinement, day after day. Of course he had my mum, who was totally devoted to his cause and this run is also dedicated to her and her relentless optimism even when things were bleak. She is a truly amazing woman. 

Beside her, my own dad, who is the most determined and focused man I've ever met. I'll be channeling his energy to stay strong until the end. And plus, he's already laid down the gauntlet when I heard he'd smashed a half, but never a full. As a true Bould, I'm competitive as hell!

And finally, my amazing boyfriend, who to my absolute amazement has offered to even join me on a few of my longer training runs, shouting support as we go. Nick, you legend, I love you so much. 

So please, if I've not already convinced you, it would mean the world for your support and also help people like my grandad and their families if you would sponsor me and help DeafBlindUK today! Thank you, Anni xxx