Several years ago, my dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and fought a long and tough battle to beat it. His successful fight against the disease made me realise just how much we take for granted and helped to inspire me to lose a lot of weight (70lbs / 5st) and start running.

It's now nearly 5 years since I started running, and as I'm about to undertake by far my biggest running challenge, it feels the right time to do some more fundraising for Beating Bowel Cancer, to help towards the great work they do for those affected.

This coming Saturday, 11th June 2016, I'm going to attempt to run 100 miles (very hilly miles) along the South Downs Way, from Winchester to Eastbourne.

I've had a very fun running year so far, with some really memorable experiences, especially running London marathon for the first time, and taking part in my favourite road race so far, the amazing Boston Marathon.

Training for SDW100 has gone quite well, I think, with new PBs at 5K and 10 miles, plus a new 100km PB (and 4th place) at the Conti 12 hour Lightning run, and a very enjoyable run at SDW50 in April (the 2nd half of the SDW100 course).  The picture above shows me at the finish of SDW50, I'm hoping I'll look equally happy this weekend.

But... on Saturday, I'll be attempting to run 50% further than I ever have before, on the hilliest route I've ever run, so no matter how well training had gone, I'd still be daunted by the challenge ahead and worried about whether I'll complete it or not.

Fortunately, I'll have my good friend Alex C running with me (the same Alex who I ran my marathon and half marathon PBs with last year), and my wonderful other half Sarah supporting me as always, so I'm sure they'll drag me through the inevitable tough times there will be during the 24 hours or less it will hopefully take us to make it from one end of the SDW to the other on Saturday.

And of course, I'll be running in a tutu, which as everyone knows, makes you invincible. :)

It would be brilliant if this has inspired you to donate any amount to Beating Bowel Cancer.

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