So, confession time. I've been keeping a secret. Quite a big one. In January of this year I signed up for the Yorkshire Marathon and I've been training since March. The only person who knew is my coach. Otherwise known as my husband Ben. 

So, why have I kept it under wraps? Well, because I wasn't sure if I could do this. Not because I didn't really want to but because in 2014 I was diagnosed with a condition called Endometriosis and I wasn't sure if my body would be up for this. I wasn't sure it could cope with the level of training I needed to do in order to complete a Marathon. By telling everyone I risked setting myself up to fail and in my eyes letting people down who were going to support me on this journey. In addition, Marathon training in itself can be a pressure as is having Endo so I just needed to keep it between myself and Ben. Until now.

For those of you who don't know anything about the condition, Endometriosis is a condition where cells like the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. It is a debilitating condition that causes chronic pain. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with the condition. It affects every woman differently. For me I have the extreme fatigue on some days and as my endo is located and attached to my left bowel I can suffer with sharp, deep rooted pain which when in full flow is a knock you off your feet type of pain. However, I'm one of the lucky ones. Even though I have what is classed as Grade 3 endo (there are 4 grades with the 4th being the worse), I manage the condition the best I can. Through research I have changed my diet, adapted little health changes such as taking particular supplements, I've cut out caffeine (just about!) and I drink 1.5 litres of water a day. All aid your body fight the continuing battle it is having with itself when it's trying to keep you healthy. 

So, why choose a marathon? Many reasons I guess. The challenge of doing such a distance. It's an iconic run and it's an epic. It's also been a way for me to try and show myself that I can be strong enough to fight back against the endo and not let it control my life or my decisions on what I can or cannot do. 

So, why sponsor me? Well hopefully reading my story will be enough for you to think I've earned your donation! There has literally been blood, sweat and tears. Blood (numerous blisters and bleeding feet and bruised toenails), sweat (Peak training has been in summer during 20 degree plus sunshine!) and tears (before, during and after a run). Tears before when I've felt apprehensive about running and worried how it will affect my body; Tears during a run when I've had an Endo pain and had to battle through; Tears after when I've felt frustrated / happy / disappointed / worried / proud when I've completed a certain distance. It's been quite a journey. I can hand on heart tell you I will have earned any money you could kindly donate. Since March I've ran approximately 348 miles in total. I've had to miss a handful of runs due to my endo however, I've managed to increase the mileage. In the past two weeks I've completed my furthest distances by doing two 16.5 miles runs. This has involved me setting the alarm for 4am, watching the sun rise whilst I run the longest distances I've done to date and coming home before the kids get out of bed. As I said earlier, it's been a journey! Just one big 21 miles training run (intermingled amongst a handful of 6 and then 4 milers) and then I'm as ready as I ever will be for my marathon in less than 6 weeks time. Eek!

To finish on a serious note, the main reason I'd like you to sponsor me is to show your support to an organisation which has offered advise and knowledge during a difficult time in my diagnosis. The charity provides women with vital support and a lifeline when they are struggling with this condition. And by donating you'll be supporting those women who for them normal life doesn't exist anymore. They can't function normally because they have this condition and this will support them. I'm running for them just as much as I am for myself. 

So in advance I thank you for any support you can give and I'm very grateful for a donation of any size. Every penny counts. 

Thanks one and all xxx