Over the last few years I have done a little bit of running, usually sticking with distances of no more than 5km/3.1miles but that all changed in the spring of 2019. With my love of food I had gained some unwanted extra pounds and it was affecting my health so I joined slimming world to get back in shape.

As I lost weight I was not suffering so many aches and pains and suddenly my running times were improving. Looking back on my parkrun results my personal best (PB) before my weight loss had been 30:53 and that elusive sub30 5km seemed a long way off. After my first few weeks and my first half a stone loss I finally broke that 30 minute barrier and finished in 29.55!

Each week as I continued to lose weight my running was improving and my love of running was growing and suddenly I wanted to see how far I could push myself which is where my idea to run a half marathon came from.

I am going to take part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 29th March 2020.

Until I signed up the for London Landmarks half marathon the furthest I had run had been 10km/6.2miles, so a half marathon at 21km/13.1miles was going to be quite a challenge. I do like a challenge and I thought to help keep me motivated during my training leading up to race day I would raise funds for the work and projects of The Mothers' Union in Chichester to which I am a member and Trustee.

The Mothers' Union is a grass roots charity with over 4 million members in over 80 countries. The Mothers' Union works alongside local communities through its worldwide membership, supporting families of all faiths and none to develop communities, strengthen families and advocate for change.

Please, if you are able, sponsor me (no matter how big or small) for my run to help The Mothers' Union continue helping families and supporting family life throughout our diocese.

In case you were wondering I have now reached my weight goal and my running has continued to improve, my current parkrun PB is 24:52 which is a time I never dreamt of achieving.