For many years I have watched the London Marathon on the TV from the comfort of my house and it never fails to inspire me to the point where I find myself thinking "wouldn't it be amazing to be a part of that!" As with many things in life, the moment comes and goes and - although I have applied unsuccessfully in the Ballot on 2 previous occasions - it sometimes needs to be the right time and place in life for things to happen.  Now is the right time and place for me! I was lucky enough to be selected to run the upcoming London Marathon in April 2019 for an utterly brilliant charity - The Missing People Charity - who I work alongside on a daily basis as part of my current job as a Missing Persons Investigator with South Wales Police.  I know how fortunate I am to have been given a place and I will not let them down. 

I have 2 beautiful daughters (Eva age 7 and Millie age 5) who are the centre of my world.  They are (and will continue to be) my priority in life.  I would never have considered spending time away from them training in the very early years as I just couldn't and wouldn't have coped emotionally being away from them.  Anyone with young children will known they have a knack of making you feel guilty and like the worst parent in the world for walking out the door for 2 minutes, let alone a few hours.  But luckily they are now more of an age where I feel ready and able to take on the challenge and commit to the 17 week intense training plan (of which I am just finishing week 3).  They are hopefully able to understand mummy needs to train if she wants to finish the race. 

Unfortunately I am not somebody who is blessed with natural fitness and I have to work at it.  I have always been sporty and enjoyed individual and team sports.  However I have to put the effort in to achieve my goals.  I have competed in running events in the past (Race for Life events and the Cardiff half marathon in 2012) but the Marathon is another level.  I like to set myself a challenge - sometimes just to see if I would actually be able to achieve it! I have done some triathlons which were good fun, although the sea water was gross and put me off a bit.  I have also competed in a charity boxing competition (and won fighter of the night).  You get the idea....

So onto the next challenge - while my body and current work/life circumstances are able to grace me the 17 weeks to prepare sufficiently (well sort of).  It is definitely a juggling act and I know when the much longer runs kick in, it will take dedication to keep pounding the streets in preparation, knowing it'll be what's needed to get me over the finishing line.  I will give it everything I have and my dedication and commitment will be 100%

More than anything, I want my girls, my husband Stu and my family to be proud of me and I want to be proud of myself.  I struggle to see in myself what others see and I am constantly told by my adoring husband how wonderful he thinks I am.  Maybe this is why I do these crazy things, for some kind of self recognition of my ability and self worth.  Who knows.  But I know one thing, I WILL succeed. 

The thing I am most nervous about is not the fact I have committed to running the marathon (scary enough in itself) but that I have also committed to raising £2000 for the Missing People Charity.  If I say the words "Missing People Choir off Britain's Got Talent" most of you will now realise exactly who this charity are and I don't need to explain what invaluable support they provide to people in times of crisis, heartache and despair.  Fortunately the majority of missing people will be either found or return home.  However not every story has a happy ending.  Unfortunately I have had to break the news to more than one family that their loved one won't ever be returning home again.  Heart breaking! I'm sure you can only try and imagine the turmoil families go through whilst wondering if their loved one will be found or return home.  I have the task - alongside my wonderfully dedicated colleagues - of helping to find missing people, whilst the charity try to provide support and hope to the families.  Not an easy thing to do, but so important when terrifying thoughts and scenarios are flying through the minds of loved ones.   

If you are anything like me, I read Just Giving Stories and think "yeah I will donate" and then plan to do it later or another time.  Then more often than not if I don't do it there and then and click straight on the link, I forget and feel terrible afterwards.  Anyone who knows me well will know I hate asking for things off people, however I must on this occasion if I am to hit my £2000 target.  I want to line up on that start line knowing I have hit my target and hopefully have SMASHED IT!  So PLEEEEAAASSSSSEEEEE if you could take the small amount of time it takes to click on my link now and donate (no matter how big or small) I would be so so so grateful.  Every little helps and even the smallest of donations added together will make a huge difference. 

Sorry for the long update, but it's always important to understand a person's reasoning for completing a challenge and where their drive and motivation stems from.  I will do my best to put updates on this page as my preparations continue.

THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR DONATIONS X X X  

From the Missing People Charity: -

As you read this, there are missing children who are alone, terrified and vulnerable to harm. We urgently need your help to protect them. 80,000 children go missing each year in the UK. Every child is vulnerable and deserves to get home safe. The longer they are missing, the greater the chance of harm. We must act fast to find them. The number of children seeking our help has now doubled. Our 24/7 crisis team urgently need your support, or we face many missing children being unprotected and unfound. Will you help us Find Every Child?