As some of you will know, I am a runner. One of those mad, cross country, happy covered in mud, rain or shine kind of runners. I also expect then that this event will come as no surprise to any of you. It only seems time that I dip my toe into the Ultra realms of running events. In September I will be taking on the Ultra Thames Path Challenge- 50km. In the run (pardon the pun) up to this event I've also entered The North Devon Marathon in June- a coastal marathon around Woolacombe Bay.

However, my reasons for choosing the event and the fundraising may not be so well known.

In June last year, after years of battling with doctors to be listened to and time spent on long waitlists, I finally had surgery through which I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. A condition where tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain, as well as many other symptoms, and may lead to complications such as infertility. Endometriosis impacts on the physical and mental health of 1 in 10 women in the UK. The exact cause of endometriosis is not fully understood and currently, there is no cure.

I'm not one to usually run a race for fundraising purposes, usually I run them for my own personal achievement (and the medals!). However, in the past year and a half, in the lead up to and since my diagnosis, I relied on the charity Endometriosis UK as a source of information and support to prepare me for what I was about to face and understanding of the condition. On top of this, I was also made aware of the campaigning they do to try to improve diagnosis time, access to treatment and support across the UK. Just part of the many reasons I am looking to fundraise for the charity, but all spread awareness through my own story of the condition.

With the North Devon Marathon marking a year since my surgery and diagnosis, The Ultra Thames Path Challenge itself for me will be my biggest challenge I've yet to attempt. As with all races, I'm excited at the opportunity to experience a new event and to push myself to a new limit. Though with every challenge I've faced in the past few years, managing Endometriosis whilst taking part in physical events does bring own challenges to overcome. Not knowing if I will experience pain the day of the event or be hit by it during the run is something I've had to adapt to. My tenacity to succeed and prove to myself I can achieve it will keep me going. As well as knowing that I am running to help support a charity that helps others like me in facing their own personal challenges that come with being an Endometriosis warrior.