Hello everybody, 

Most of you will have heard my often-repeated story of how I got into running in 2019 but in case you don't know it all started with a throw-away comment when I went to support my friend Gen Dearman running the Surrey Half Marathon. 

In a flippant moment I suggested to her wife Suzie that we should join her the following year. Essentially, we talked ourselves into it and an odyssey began! 

Having never run growing up (there'll be another bus along in a minute, what's the point etc) I found it tough to start with but with the support of Lisa and my friends it soon became a major part of my life. 

I have run several half marathon events since (and, for the last year or so, a monthly half just for fun. I know, don't ask.) 

This year I decided to take it up a gear and commit to running a full marathon! 

Coincidentally this year Gen started working for and introduced me to a wonderful charity local to me called Challengers who are committed to breaking down the barriers to play for disabled children and young people, aged 2-18. At Challengers, every child is supported and engaged, based on their interests, not their impairments, and they will not turn a child away, no matter how complex their needs.

I was delighted when they accepted me to run on their behalf in the forthcoming 2022 London Marathon. So now the work starts in earnest. 

I'll be honest that whilst I can cope with running a half the thought of effectively then running a lap of honour straight afterwards raises a bit of anxiety. However, the thought of running such an iconic event with so many participants does raise the adrenaline levels. So, mixed emotions but mostly excitement. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings and thanks for any support you can give. I'll keep people posted with my progress and I'll try not to bore!! 

Here's to October 2022!!

Jon

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