Jen is running the 2019 Hull Marathon
Jennifer Walker is raising money for Missing People
Participants: I am running the 2019 Hull marathon with my husband Martin.
Story
Why did I sign up for this crazy challenge?
I started running in 2012 to get fit and improve my mental health. I started with Couch to 5k, then parkruns, eventually joining a running club in 2015 and progressing to 10ks, 10 miles and half marathons. I'm not a natural athlete and none of this came particularly easy. I guess you could say I'm a determined and steady runner. (The words 'slow' and 'jogger' are banned in the running community). The next step seemed obvious to others .."when are you going to do a marathon?" people would ask."You have to be kidding" I would say,"I'm too old for that nonsense".
I know plenty of people who've run marathons, but they're all good runners; they're not like me. I'd watch the London Marathon and would think I'd love to do that, but 26.2 miles... that's a whole different ballgame, totally beyond me! That's a bloody long way!
Then at the start of this year my husband, who only took up running in 2016 and hadn't gone further than 10k, announced he was going to enter the Hull marathon.
Well that was it. Gauntlet firmly down. I had no choice.
"We'd better sign up now then, before we change our minds".
Our 6 month training schedule started in March. Its made such a difference, training with another person, and sharing the challenge as we've upped the miles each month. Its been hard, and for a long time I was unsure I was up to reaching 26.2 miles, but finally, now I think its achievable. I AM going to do this. But since it's probably going to be the only time I run this far, I'd better make it count, so......
I am fundraising for missingpeople.org.uk
In the UK an estimated 180,000 people run away or go missing each year. My chosen charity, Missing People offers a lifeline when someone disappears. They are the only charity in the UK which is dedicated to bringing missing children and adults back together with their families.
Some missing people make headlines, but many more don’t. Most missing people are found quickly, but thousands each year are not. For their families, life can feel like a desperate and unbearable struggle as they wait for days or even years.
The charity helps with searches via their appeals; they also offer help for missing people and their families, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing free and confidential support by phone, text or email.
The charity is independent and funded completely by donations.
Why this charity?
I've lived in Hull for 25 years and in that time there have been some high profile missing people cases that have deeply affected us as a city. Friends and families need ongoing support while investigations and searches proceed.
I also have a very personal reason for supporting this charity, as before it came into existence, I myself went through a rough time with my mental health and spent quite some time as a missing teenager in London. I know what a dangerous and vulnerable existence this can be. For this reason I passionately support the vital work this charity does and am committed to raising as much as I can to help it continue.
Thank you for reading my story and thank you for donating. If I can hit or exceed my target by Sept 22nd, it will really spur me on!