Oh dear what have I done? I've only gone an signed myself up for my, by now seemingly once a decade, 1/2 marathon!

2005 it was the Great North Run

2013 the Angkor Wat 1/2 and now in

2025 the Royal Parks 1/2!

The difference being that last 2 times I did this I had trained for it, this time not so much 😬. Due to a combination of injury, illness and frankly lack of intentionality I sit here writing this one month out from the event having only this week done my first small training run.😱

This is hence going to hurt! Its going to be a real struggle to get round rather than aiming for a PB or anything dramatic like that.

So why am I putting myself through this totally unnecessary pain? (research suggests that whilst long distance running clearly has health benefits it certainly isn't one of the more efficient or effective forms of exercise!)

Well, its all to do with Suzi Mitchell and the fantastic Taylor Made Dreams! https://taylormadedreams.org.uk/

I have been connected with TMD for a little over a year now and the work she and they do never ceases to blow me away. To craft something so amazing out of such personal tragedy is awe inspiring. I sit here as a parent of 2 (touch wood) healthy children in awe, thinking there by the grace of god we all possibly go, and I see the help and support that TMD give when a family is in a situation that has torn their world apart and feel compelled to try and support in any little way that I can.

So here we are, for me this is going to be tough and a challenge but in reality it pales into insignificance next to the challenge that TMD's warrior children and their families go through every day. So don't sponsor me, sponsor TMD, so that they can continue bringing some light where otherwise there may only be darkness, to bring joy where otherwise it would be sadness and to help them continue to provide their broad range of support services to the whole family as well as making the dreams of children with life limiting illnesses come true!

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.