Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.This page has now expired. For details of how to support me raise funds for Young Minds at the London Marathon April 23 2023 please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/liz-alexander2

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March 2022...and we go again in October!..only we didn't! APRIL 23rd 2023 here I come!

So a hamstring injury and a nasty bout of covid and some long lasting post-covid symptoms put paid to October 2022, but after a few nervous weeks, oh so very luckily I was able to have my place rolled over for 1 last time....so we go for the real deal in April 2023.....possibly serendipity won out, as it will be 3 years since the original plan of London and Edinburgh in 2020 was due to take place....and I may even think about Edinburgh in May 2023.......

So.......finally I'm getting to run in London with real crowds to cheer us on , on  Sunday 23 April. I am very excited and also very nervous, having spent all of 2021 getting and recovering from injuries, then doing a lot of cycling and not a lot of running , having post covid symptoms for 4 months and being 3 years older..... the thought of a marathon and the associated training schedule is very daunting both physically and mentally...... But if it were easy, it wouldn't be a challenge! So I'll be trying to get back in the groove and lace up my trainers a bit more often and stay positive and 'can do'!......

I am hugely grateful for all the support everyone gave me in 2020, and have decided to re-open my fundraising page; we've all heard the impact that Covid and lock downs have had on young people's mental health, which makes the work Young Minds do even more important than before. The world is in no small degree of turmoil with multiple demands on everyone's hard earned cash...however if you feel able to donate anything, no matter how small, I will be incredibly grateful and any additional funds will go to help a young person somewhere, who is experiencing a tough time.

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October 2020

So the official 'Virtual London' was on Sunday 4 Oct.....so we ran again!!!! Huge thanks (again!) to the merry band of cyclists who took turns to  keep me company and to Rob for running with me over those last super tough miles- I couldn't have done it without you all! Big hand too for all the other support along the way - you've no idea how much those positive vibes helped!!.... and a huge thank you again to all of you who have donated  - every single penny is massively appreciated -  especially in the current climate.....

September 2020

A quick update for you!! Having run my own virtual London and Edinburgh marathons in April and May respectively, we were advised that London was to be rescheduled to 4 October 2020....sadly due to C-19 the 'real deal' is still not to be, but I am going 'virtually'  again in the official VMLM Virtual 40th race on Sunday 4 October ( the prize this time...an official medal and finsher's T-shirt!)...so the nerves are kicking in again , we have an official app to use to upload our times and to keep us motivated! Needless to say I am looking forward to completing my last marathon of the year! Who would have thought back in March that all 3 would be virtual! 

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After 7 years of trying, I finally have the opportunity of a lifetime to fulfil one of my major ambitions -  running the London marathon…..but there is a BUT……..I had already entered Edinburgh as initially I didn’t  get into London, so I’m going to run 2 marathons 1 month apart. Why? Because I will be raising funds for YoungMinds  (https://youngminds.org.uk)

I have run 2 in 2 months before, but that was 6 years ago, and whilst the spirit is still very willing, my half century plus means the flesh is undeniably weaker……but therein lies my very real and scary challenge.

For me it will be both a physical and a mental challenge – physically  making it through the training without too many injuries is my first hurdle (currently sporting a left foot and a right knee niggle!!)…..getting through London unscathed enough to run Edinburgh will be the next physical challenge . But it is also a mental challenge -  26.2 (x 2!) miles is a long way and that is compounded by the fact that I’ve never before entered an event that means I have to train during the winter months, in fact I’ve actively avoided them. I don’t enjoy the winter, I thrive in the sunshine, so when its dark and grey I will really need to motivate myself to get the training miles in ……….but  I do know there is a definite end to my mental challenge when I cross the finish line. For many people mental health challenges can seem never ending, hence my double marathon bid to support YoungMinds. This amazing charity is committed  to ensuring that every young person in a dark place, and their family, can see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. YoungMinds is a unique charity which provides mental health support for young people aged 0 to 25 and, crucially, their parents & carers as well.

Mental health, especially for young people, is sadly an ever-present item in the news; most of us will likely have been affected by it in one way or another. When mental health challenges occur, asking for help can be one of the hardest things to do. Too often it is still perceived as being weak. Reaching out actually takes enormous courage, and as a young person, taking that first step can be even harder. Knowing that the person on the end of the phone will not judge, has specialist training to help young people and can refer them to a 1-1 phone session within 7 days with a qualified mental health professional - all anonymously if that is desired -  may be enough to give them the courage to take that first scary step.

Mental health challenges faced by young people often also affect
the wider family. Many parents feel helpless - they don’t know how to help and feel guilty for not spotting signs of the struggle earlier, and as such, they too need support and guidance to help them and equip them to provide support to the young person. Reaching out as a parent can also be hard, but again YoungMinds can provide specialist advice.

Anything, no matter how small, that you can give to help
support the work of YoungMinds will be massively appreciated and, on those dark, wet, cold, grey days when my motivation may be in short supply, it will ensure I lace up my trainers and hit the road………again!

Thank you so much in advance for your support.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.