For those of you who know me well, you know my idea of a birthday weekend is not best spent running, yet here we are! So, if not a birthday celebration, and not a mid-life crisis, what is this about? An excuse for new pink shoes?

This January, I gave birth to my second son, officially known as Mihalis, but his quick-witted older brother Charlie has updated this to "Kelinu Kickboxer, ο Κύπριος" (Kiprios).

Kelinu is the diminutive form of Mikel, which is Maltese for Mihalis.

O Κύπριος, means the Cypriot - because as long as he has food and company, he's happy.

Kickboxer because this appears to be his chosen career from when he was in my belly.

My healthy, spirited second-born has influences from so many places. He is loved, and he has a rich heritage.

I debated doing the run. It would mean another time-commitment, and I wasn't sure I would be up to the physical challenge 10 months after giving birth. I had many doubts. But of a few things I am certain. To run a half, you need Stamina and Stubbornness. Thanks to all of my boys, I'm more than qualified. No excuses. Having concluded the How, I had to tackle the Why? Why indeed? When everything hurts, and I'm sleepy, I ask myself this. And the answer is simple.

I know that if I keep putting one foot in front of the other, I'll get home to my children, and they are safe, and happy. I'm running for the people who do not have this.

I'm running because I want to teach my boys that if you believe in something, you persevere. That humanity isn't defined by boundaries and borders. And lastly, that being my boys' Mama is the most rewarding and challenging privilege of my life.

Thank you.

x

Maria

PS: You can read about Medical Aid for Palestinians here, map.org.uk