Thanks so much for taking a look at my JustGiving page.

I will be running the LONDON MARATHON on 2nd October 2022 for the amazing charity ARRHYTHMIA ALLIANCE after having deferred in August 2021.

It was a great disappointment to miss out last year only 7 weeks out with a torn meniscus in my R knee, but with surgery and recovery I was back in light training just before Christmas.

ARRHYTHMIA ALLIANCE have been a great support to me through that time. All of you who have already so kindly donated through my Virgin Money Giving page, which is now CLOSED, it all still counts! I've opened this Just Giving page to continue on as TCS are taking over sponsorship of the Marathon for 2022.

My reason for running for ARRHYTHMIA ALLIANCE is an easy one. In summer 2018 out of the blue I was diagnosed overnight with 'complete heart block' which in layman's terms is a condition where the signal from the top of the heart does not reach the lower part (ventricles) so the heart beats 'out of sync' and it's efficiency as a pump is therefore compromised. It was a big shock as I've been healthy and fit all my life, including running! I was swiftly fitted with a pacemaker and problem solved. I was soon back running and with a few tweaks with my pacemaker settings trained for a 10 miler and 3 half marathons in 2019. I was further diagnosed with very occasional  'ventricular tachycardia' in the summer of 2020 and am now on Beta-blocker medication which seems to have put paid to it and have the green light to continue running. ARRHYTHMIA ALLIANCE focus on supporting research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of those people with arrhythmia's as well as their quality of life, so I feel very well placed, especially with my own experience to support this amazing Charity. 

Having been a regular recreational runner for the last 12 years, running a marathon especially London, has crept in on my 'bucket list' since then! It's a bit 'now or never' so while I'm feeling completely mad I want to give it my all to try my best and do it...just once, and experience everything that goes with this iconic event.

I have been training steadily building back my base fitness from about January this year, before getting some expert help from a coach with a specific plan that started in July and so far so good.....!  It has taken over my life at the moment and coupled with a relocation to Liverpool back in the spring and finding new routes to run has been challenging!

My old running club have also been very supportive in helping to host a super Wine Tasting evening back in June provided by Corney & Barrow in Newmarket and £145 was raised, big thank you to them.

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For every minimum £5 donation to my cause you can 'Guess My Finish Time' in Hours, Mins & Secs and nearest to it will win a bottle of 'Norfolk Gin' kindly donated by Corney & Barrow. (Be sure to note you guess time in the comments with donation) For a hint...you will find my half marathon time in one of the photos!

A big thank you for reading this and a huge shout out to all of you that have already so kindly and very generously donated.

I would be so grateful of any more support to help me reach my target for this cause. I've managed £975 so far of my £1500 total target (includes already donated from Virgin Giving page)  so still a little way to go. 

Not long to go now until 2nd October...am excited but also the maranoia is starting to kick in!! THANK YOU.

MANDY. xx