Update: marathon complete in 6:19:29 vs my goal of 7hrs! Woohoo!

Hi everyone!

Well... anyone who knows me will think this is a joke - but wait! Let me explain.

At the beginning of 2023 I decided to start Couch to 5k with my local running club (Garden City Runners) because I was approaching 30 and figured I was no longer "too young" to worry about growing old. Truth be told, my metabolism dived off a cliff at 28 and I lied to myself for a year or so, oops.

Anyway, clearly at some point during the 10 week programme I lost my fricking mind because I entered the ballot for the London Marathon. But that was fine, because nobody ever gets in through the ballot right? Especially not a first timer right? Wrong. Of course, the place was awarded to me; me, who almost fell off my chair receiving the email, having forgotten even applying for it.

By the 'award' email I had turned 30, actually a month earlier. And I hadn't run for about 6 weeks. Alas, with the odds stacked against me for getting a place, I felt the pressure of all those lucky non-winners being passed over by TCS and made the bold choice of TELLING everyone I was going to do the marathon. Yes, I made it official by making sure my fellow humans would guilt me into reaching the start line.

So what next? Firstly, start running again. Secondly, run further than 5k. Probably need actual running shoes for that (HOKA Bondi if anyone is wondering). And enter some races to keep me on track. Simple stuff. Simple, expensive stuff. I have racked up receipts for close to £1,000 worth of running gear and race entries. Because if you're going to do something you hate, at least put a dent in your wallet to really get that self-loathing boiling!

Here are my times so far (please bear in mind in Jan 2023 I could run about 20 seconds without getting dizzy):

1st Oct: Letchworth 10k - 1:25:19 PB

5th Nov: Hertfordshire Half - 3:12:16 PB

11th Nov: Alton Towers 10k - 1:30:49

3rd Dec: Chatham Dockyard 10k - 1:22:35 PB

10th Dec: Milton Keynes Half - 2:50:43 PB

7th Jan: Welwyn Half - 2:52:53

28th Jan: Essendon 10k - 1:25:49

24th Feb: Wilmington Half - 2:55:00

2nd Mar: Myrtle Beach Half - 3:01:23

8th Mar: Live Well Half Greenville - 2:48:12 PB

23rd Mar: North Myrtle Beach ShamRock N' Run - 3:10:30

6th Apr: Cary NC Sunset Scramble 15k - 2:20:19 oof bad day...

And on top of all of that, I'll be abseiling down the ArcelorMittal in summer 2024 (following its maintenance closure period) with my friend FIONA ELLIOTT and my aunt RAJ UPPAL. Also in aid of the National Literacy Trust. Support us, support us!

For reference, I don't have a fear of heights, but I do have a fear of falling. Yet again, with all things considered, another poor decision that I have made, and committed to. All in the name of my beloved literature (see below for emotional outpouring).

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Did you know that almost a million children in the UK don’t have any books of their own at home? Over the pandemic I built myself a built-in bookcase because I love reading; contemporary lit, thrillers, romance, non-fiction. This Christmas I got 10 books from Santa to add to my collection. I can't imagine not having the joy of escaping to another world by just browsing my shelves.

NLT supports teachers to give this gift to children through resources, training, and author events, as well its bigger picture research and policy campaigning. If you feel you're able to, please help support this work by donating to the National Literacy Trust so kids can have the same adventures I had.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.