On 14th November, my sister Helen and her husband Alex put my nephew Yianni to bed, he'd had a normal day with his Nanny Charlotte playing around, running crazily around the house like a mad bean and no doubt being up to mischief as any other 16 month old who has found their feet and begun to discover how to run!

They'd bathed him, read him a story, told him they loved him and kissed him goodnight.... The usual routine. Yans didn’t wake up the next morning – he went to sleep and will never wake up.  We are heartbroken.  

Although it seems that Yianni would not have suffered, he will never grow up, he will not have a first day at school, play in his first football match, or experience many of the firsts that a full, happy, and long life should bring.   

Unfortunately our family is not alone in experiencing the sudden loss of Yianni. Over 250 families per year experience a similar tragedy in England and Wales.

The support of Lullaby Trust (formerly FSID) to my family, particularly Helen and Alex during the last 2 and a half months has been amazing. This organization supports research into sudden unexpected death in children, provides preventative advice to parents, and offers bereavement support services for families impacted by the sudden death of their babies. 

Please follow how my training is progressing by reading my online blog at: Runningforyans.blog.com and most recent post below: 

22nd May 2014

As the run draws close (T-2 days now) I'm beginning to feel increasingly nervous. 

Unfortunately due to such a busy schedule of moving house, planning another Lullaby Trust fundraising event (all will be revealed) and working ridiculously long hours, fitting the training ( and blogging - sorry!) in has been less than easy! 

Sunday I managed my first run since I moved house, whilst in the flurry of ikea furniture, I dropped a 14kg box right on the point if my foot where I fractured it immediately before Christmas, as you can imagine, This resulted in initially a loud swear word, followed by some sobbing, and then an evening sat on my yoga mat (my sofa and chair STILL hasn't arrived!) with some frozen veg under a tea towel on it.... Sulking! 

After 3 week of running, but plenty of box moving,flat pack furniture building, gym classes and road trips around the country/another country (Wales... Nothing exotic!) I finally decided to man up and run a 10k on Sunday. Issue 1: Sunday, for those of us who can't remember that far back, was scorching.... Issue 2: I had no known 10k route because I had just moved, and issue 3: I really wanted to join the rest of the country in a BBQ and a few ice cold beverages. Instead, like a true running addict, I donned by purple trainers, turned on my running app and set to work, striding out in the shaded areas of York! 

It was horrendous.... So much so that I'm sure I thought I was actually going to die. I was sweaty, bright red and blotchy and I ached. In fact, Monday I could barely lift my legs out of my bed for work... Yes it was that bad! 

 I've also been for a rather relaxing 5k jaunt this week, having driven the 6 hours to Port Talbot yesterday, and following completion of my meetings, I decided as a reward, and in anticipation of the amazing Indian curry I had planned for dinner with Stubbsy and Daz (yes, it's clear from these two names that I do in fact work in construction!) I would do a short beach- based run. I can confirm that, slough port talbot is far from idyllic, when the sun is shining on a May evening. There is in fact no nicer place to be stretching your legs than along the seafront at 7.15pm. It was beautiful (as long as your back was to the steelworks!) the fresh sea breeze and the crunch of the sand under my feet gave me a feeling of complete peace and made me remember the reason why I started this challenge. 

6 months ago, I was pushing a size 14, desperately unfit, desperately unhappy and mourning the loss of our beautiful boy. It hit me whilst in port t what a difference a few months can make. Granted, the pain of losing Yianni is still there, I have no doubt that is something I will carry forever.... But I'm fit, healthy, my mind is clear and I've got a whole new perspective on life. 

My answer to almost anyone who is unhappy, whether that be with their body, their job, their home life.... All learned from my experience with Yans.... Do something about it, life is far too short and far too precious to let things you can change hold you back... If I can run 10k on Saturday, then you can all do at least one thing you never thought you could now.... Because you never know if you're going to get tomorrow.

Between us, and my very generous work colleagues, I've raised £755 so far, my target is £1000.... If you've still not donated, please please please visit my just giving page at: www.justgiving.com/Runningforyans .... I really do appreciate every penny. 

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