Two years ago, a spinal injury threatened to wreck my life. The specialist speculated that this injury had been caused by a heavy blow to the back of my neck during my football career. He told me that I was, 'one big sneeze away from potential paralysis'. I told him that this statement was unnecessarily dramatic. 

I underwent major spinal surgery to replace a disc in my neck and repair two vertebrae, but was told that I could never play contact sport again. During my rehabilitation I worked really hard on my fitness, primarily through swimming and running.

This was an incredibly tough time for me. I have never hidden my struggle with depression, and any enforced inactivity has always had a significant negative impact on my mental health. But, as I became fitter and fitter, I realised that I had never felt more in control of my mind. Running really is cheaper than therapy.

Since the operation, my passion for running has grown and grown, and now I've been given the green light from my specialist to undertake the following huge challenge:

During 2018 I will be running over 1,000 miles, including several 10K races, monthly half marathons... and 2 full Marathons. My timing targets are to significantly better my 10K PB of 41:02*, my half marathon PB of 1:29:51** and to run a Marathon in around three and a quarter hours. 

Races: 

1. RunThrough Velo Park Half (27/1/18) 1:32:51
   
2. Chase the Moon 10k (14/2/18) 40:29 (18th)
3. Brighton Half (25/2/18) 1:24:46 (176th of 8,000)
4. Uniqlo 10K (10/3/18) 39:16 (10th)
5. Hampton Court Palace Half (18/3/18) 1:31:34 (Marathon pace attempt)
6. Bedford20 (25/3/18) - 2:28:52
7. London Marathon (22/4/18) - 3:27:29
8. Hackney Half Marathon (20/5/18) - 1:25:41
9. London 10k (28/5/18) - 38:28 
10. St Albans Half (10/6/18) - 1:27:56 (51st of 2,500)
11. Adidas 1 Hour Run (17/6/18) - 9.5 miles (45th of 2,500)
12. Hamburg Half (1/7/18) - 1:26:12 (161st of 8,000)
13. British 10k (15/7/18) - 39:27 (160th of 11,500)
14. Reykjavik Half (18/8/18) - 1:24:26 (PB - 31st of 3,000)
15. Great North Run (9/9/18) - 1:26:42 (340th of 47,500)
16. Kew Gardens 10k (15/9/18) - 38:01 (PB - 33rd of 4,000)
17. Oxford Half (7/10/18) - 1:34:26 (pacing friend)
18. Royal Parks Half (14/10/18) - 1:25:07 (157th of 16,000)
19. Ljubljana Marathon (28/10/18) - 3:10:00 (139th - PB!)

I am doing all of this to raise money for Centrepoint, and in particular the work of Centrepoint Sport.

For those of you who don't know, I am Head of Sport here at Centrepoint. Through a unique and innovative approach, Centrepoint Sport programmes combine physical activity with education and life skills. We inspire and empower our participants, giving them the practical tools and necessary confidence to positively transform their lives. 

All of this should show you quite how much this means to me. If you are able to sponsor me that would be amazing. Please don't make me beg.