Last year I ran my first (and second) marathon for cancer research and so many people supported me and the charity I ran for. I appreciate every single donation and completely understand that you may not be able to donate again but if you have a few spare pennies it would mean the world to me. 

This year I decided to up my game thinking that it might be a good idea to run 12 marathons in 12 months for two important charities close to home, Cancer research (for my wonderful dad) and Mind. (Donations to Mind can be made here: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emily-austin-12marathonsin12monthsformind

I started in Portsmouth on 23rd December 2018 and so far have completed 11 marathons in the last 11 months. On the 3rd of November I will be at the start line of the New York marathon ready to complete my challenge.

I didn’t expect it to be easy but I was definitely unprepared for how difficult I would find this. Bad choices meant a ridiculously hilly trail marathon where I fell quite badly and illness for another meant I only completed half marathons for these 2 courses. So by September I was starting to panic about being 2 marathons behind schedule. In October I met some wonderful people who encouraged me to try running two in one weekend, I put my big girl shoes on and decided to give it a try. (Giant shout out to all of you fab people!) 

This weekend I travelled to Amsterdam and completed marathon number 11 which means I can say, finally with a little bit of confidence, that it wasn’t a stupid idea after all! 

11 down ... Portsmouth, Gloucester, Marathon Day Marathon (Kent), Leeds, Paris, Edinburgh, Tenby, Cambridge, Burry St Edmonds, Chester and Amsterdam. 

1 to go ... New York! 🍎 

I also want to say a massive thanks to all of my amazing family and friends who have supported me through the last 12 months. My fab coach Barny who also acted as a therapist throughout, Harris Coaches who have been kind enough to support in brochures and by hosting a coffee and cake day on Thursday 24th. The most amazing supportive runners I’ve met throughout this challenge and of course the most supportive parents and brother I could ask for who have already raised over £600 to add to the total! Without everyone behind me I’d have fallen at the first 26.2 miles! 

This has most definitely been the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m not sure I’ll be thinking of any new personal challenges for a while (at least till 2020).