"Just apply for a Ballot place.....you're unlikely to get one!" These were the words of a trusted friend who I witnessed running London Marathon in 2024. At that time, I wasn't a runner, but unbeknown to me, the universe had plans for me! During June 2024, I received the email declaring, "You're in". My initial thought was "Oh .. right ....erm... Ok ... well let's give it a go!"

The training began. I did the first gruelling run to the top of my road (its only a very short hill). I began to grow my runs slowly, using every psychological tool in my toolkit (e.g. smiling whilst running to 'tell' my nervous system & body that 'running is fun'!). Finding a supportive & knowledgeable community within Derby Triathlon Club, and doing my first triathlon. Then, developing a stress response in my leg and hearing my Physio say, "You'll never run a marathon on those legs". So my 2025 London place was deferred to 2026 - I needed to focus on rehab and developing strength. Finding a brilliant Personal Trainer (thankyou Rebako at Spartan Studios; thanks Adele for the recommendation). Saturday Parkrun became a regular thing (and a chance to practice BSL whilst Sign Supporting the briefings).

And though initially, I haven't been formally running for a charity, I have now decided to raise awareness (and maybe some funds) for the Trauma Response Network (TRN). TRN provide free EMDR therapy to people in the UK affected by mass trauma. For e.g. TRN supported people affected by the Manchester Arena Terrorist Attack and Grenfell.