Hi,

In December 2011 Andy (my colleague) and I decided to 'run' the Greater Manchester Marathon. This was for a few reasons -to start running again, to get fit, to achieve something we had both wanted to achieve for a while, to raise money and for me to celebrate being given the all clear on a lump which I had found.

Training was slow to begin with but on Winter nights Andy persuaded me to wrap up in clothes I hoped nobody would see me in and plod down the lanes in the hope we could build up the miles. Andy's daughter Jas was a great help too - cycling alongside us telling us stories and helping the miles pass.

In February 2012 I was told that the lump was bad news after all and training stopped. I was desperate to do the marathon but I was mid chemo and the weather on the day was dreadful. Last year I entered the Chester marathon and decided not to do it but this year I am going to give it a go!!  I cannot say that I am ready for a marathon - especially after injuring my knee doing the three peaks two weeks ago but I am going to give it a go and attempt to get round in 6 hours to get a medal. Andy and I raised around £1200 three years ago but I'd love to get up to £2000. I think that I owe it to those who sponsored me - I feel like a fraud for taking their money and not doing the marathon. I'd like to thank all my family, friends and colleagues for all their support over the past three years and will be thinking of a very special lady who dragged me out of bed on my darkest day for a fish finger butty and wine - I know you'll be watching from above and shouting "just get on with it". 
We all have our own charities to support but I'd be grateful of every penny or indeed a voice to shout  me on from the roadside in Chester on October 4th. Don't expect me to be running though - I'm more expecting to be crawling!! xxx