Some of you may know and some Of you may not may not...

But this is my story for being crazy enough to run the London marathon 2021.

** edit from above…2019 I trained and got injured….2020 Covid happened so I did the London virtual marathon **

I was first introduced to running at a very young age by my amazing dad. 

My dad was a fantastic runner who I not only absolutely adored but equally admired his dedication and commitment to his sportinhobbies.

He encouraged me to run and I became a youth runner however it wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that running really grabbed me.

I trained for the 2009 London Marathon with my Dad...and from then on he became my number 1 running buddy...we had many a laugh, a few cross words and occasionally some tears but always a great run.

From 2009 onwards we ran most days together and always pledged that one day we would run the London Marathon together.

Unfortunately I sustained a fractured pelvis which forced me to rest for almost a year.

I then went on to have my first Son which delayed me a little as you can imagine! 

My Dad was still going strong and in April 2014 at 58 he completed a 3hour finish in the Blackpool Marathon....an achievement any runner would be proud of!

But then unexpectedly in June 2014 my dad became seriously ill.

It wasn’t an illness that I understood or one that my family or his friends understood, it was an illness that initially I thought he could get help for and that he would just go on and get better...but that sadly was not the case.

I underestimated this life destroying illness as I think so many people do.

This illness was a mental health illness and my dad was suffering from a total mental break down.

This is in no way an insult to my friends or family but I believe that had my dad been admitted to hospital with cancer or a heart attack perhaps they could have understood much more...but instead it was so lonely for us as a family....we could see the rock of our family disappearing and no one could understand or comprehend our pain.

Sadly in July 2016 my dad’s battle ended, he did fight and battled to beat this dreadful illness but eventually it won, My Dad took the only control he had left to end his pain forever and he committed suicide at the young age of 60.

 

There is not one single part of me that is mad at him for the decision he made, I’m glad the pain he was in is over and I admire the strength and bravery he showed during his battle.

As a family however our pain continues and we all miss him more and more with every day that passes by.

Due to a foot Injury in 2019 I was forced to defer my place to run in 2020…then Covid happened!! So I completed the virtual London Marathon 2020.

I arranged to run each Mile with a different friend that had been part of mine or my dads running journey. It was an amazing day and one I will never forget!

But….I still need to complete the actual London Marathon 2021 in honour of my dad....he can’t be with me in person but will be in spirit and I will be spreading his ashes around the course in London.

As a keen cyclist my dad also wanted some of his ashes spreading on Mont Ventoux which is part of the Tour de France course as well as the London Marathon and Harworth.

3 of his treasured friends from his cycling club did an amazing job in September 2018 to honour his wishes and spread some of his ashes on ventoux.

We finished the virtual marathon at Harworth to honour my dads wishes there…so now it’s just the big one left! 

London 2021….I’m coming for you!!!!

I am running on Behalf of Rethink mental health charity.

I am supporting all the people out there suffering from such a cruel and life destroying illness.

The long runs will be hard, especially with 2 young children and a business to run...but believe me when I say that I 100% know that the pain and torture I may feel during the Marathon and during my training runs will be nothing compared to the pain my dad felt every single day whilst battling with his depression and anxiety.

My dad was the absolute best, so Fit and so much fun, everyone who knew him loved and respected him . He was the life and soul of any party...but how quickly this all ended...it can happen to anyone so please support me and this fabulous charity who help and support people in mental health crisis.

I am doing this for you DAD XX

Please everyone donate for this worthy cause and always #talk #listen #help #care #neverjudge