On my 27th birthday (July 2016) I wrote some goals. One of which was to run a half marathon.

This goal, specifically had some intrinsic link to having lost my Grandmother earlier in 2016. To be fair, most everything was at that point intrinsically linked to the loss of my Grandmother.

When I came back to the UK in Spring 2016 I began trainging for the Bristol Half Marathon. I considered running to raise money for charities that helped people with dementia as that is what my Grandmother suffered with after a stroke. However, although these charities are incredibly worthy, I felt that I wanted to contribute to a charity that I could see the change in.

My Grandmother was, amongst other things in the community known for her involvement in and fundraising for local organisations and charities. I would never suppose myself to be near half the woman that my grandmother was but I was inspired by her to do what I could for the local community. I had for three seasons been lead trading of Crackington Haven Surf Club Juniors.

I began to feel that I wouldn't run for a charity. That I would just run for me. I'm not a runner and actually the whole idea of running a half marathon makes me feel quite anxious. Furthermore, I have seen my friends complete far more awesome feats for wonderful charities and I feel if I were to ask people to part with their hard earned money it would have to be for something meaningful to me.

It was a month or so after making this decision that my Mother asked me if I shouldn't run to raise money for The Wave Project.

The Wave Project is an organisation that arranges surf lessons for children and young adults who struggle with anything from anxiety and autism to a physical disability. At Raven Surf School we are lucky enough to work with the The Wave Project. It's one of my favourite sessions with emphasis on socialising and building confidence. Over the six week course there is a marked change for the better in each child. It's incredibly rewarding for the instructors and volunteers who donate their time to help us in and out of the water.

I thought about it for a little while and whilst on my long run last week I thought that actually my run deserves to raise money just as much as anything that is a challenge. Perhaps a half marathon is not such a "great feat" but juggling managing a surf club, working 2/3 surf sessions 6 days a week and weekly therapy then to throw in training 6 days a week for a half marathon, that's a pretty big feat and some days I really feel it. Today marks the half way point of my 12 week training programme that my friend Ruben made for me (thanks Ruben!) which I'm implementing with strength training with Kelvin and the 6am girls 2/3 times a week (depending on sleepiness!).

So, talk about making a short story long...

In 6 weeks time I will be running the Bristol half marathon for The Wave Project. If you have a penny or a pound spare please sponsor me. If not a kind word of support will probably do me more good!

Many thanks,

Abby

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