When Ed asked me if I wanted to join him and Tom* in doing the London 2 Brighton Challenge my answer was yeah sure, why not? I knew it would be an adventure and one with friends, and that was enough to decide. However, I didn’t really consider what training for an ultra marathon involved, nor how far this particular one was. On 7th Feb 2022, we started our 16-week training program – which Ed kindly made for us – and I found out...

For a healthy eating, well slept, t-total student, who runs five times a week, goes to the gym regularly, and is on top of their work an ultra would be a challenge; but as someone who lives off toast and Tennent's, runs once a week and has a most inconsistent sleep pattern, to do one is brutal. The training requires running up to 40km distances every weekend (often on tired legs), learning to eat on the move (easier said than done), drinking a LOT of water, running in the dark and cold (not nice), waking up early in the morning and sacrificing Friday nights out - to name a few things.

However, we're now over three months into our training - running approx. 80km/week - and progressing nicely; we’re injury free (touch wood), and feeling both fit and motivated! It's slightly scary that the challenge is just 3 weeks away, but we're confident we're going to smash this. Please check either Ed or me out on Strava if you want to track our progress in the lead-up to the event!

The point of this crazy run is to raise money for The Children's Society, an awesome charity that works with young people to counsel and support them through their most serious life challenges. We chose to raise money for them because we believe that every child should have the right to a healthy, happy and supportive childhood and to escape whatever physical, mental or financial hardship they are experiencing. The Children's Society is working extremely hard to provide children with better lives and with your help, we can support them along this journey. 

Please join Ed and I's journey to completing our ultra on 28th May 2022. Any support for our inevitable suffering throughout this challenge would be massively appreciated. Thank you! 

(TEAM LINK - JOG ON, NEAR THE TOP OF THE PAGE). 

*Tom has unfortunately dropped out of the event due to injury. He will be greatly missed. However, he is very much a part of team JOG ON and is providing a lot of help and support behind the scenes.