Apparently, I didn’t learn my lesson the first time… 🏃‍♂️

On 13 September, I’ll once again be attempting to run 13.1 miles around Newcastle. Seemed like a good idea when I submitted my application - I’m still not entirely sure why. The first time I did the Great North Run I got my place through a charity. It was an amazing day, but alongside the challenge of actually running 13.1 miles (with that damn hill) was the challenge of hitting the fundraising target. Asking everyone I know for money was harder than Heartbreak Hill (the hill that never ends!!).

This year I’ve managed to get a place through the ballot, which means I get to do this for me, and for a charity that is close to my heart - and this time there’s no pressure to raise a minimum amount.

I’ve decided I’ll be running for Bone Cancer UK, in memory of the wonderful Jen Bellamy – an amazing wife, mum, friend, Blackburn Rovers superfan, twitterer, who we sadly lost earlier this year.

Jen had the rare ability to make people smile, laugh (lots) and occasionally wonder what she’d say next! She really was one of a kind, missed by all and it feels only right to run in her memory and (hopefully) raise some money for a wonderful charity that was of course very close to Jen’s heart and for which she herself raised money for.

I am NOT planning to run in the inflatable shark outfit some of you will be disappointed to know!

Training is already well underway (this is made up of increasingly longer runs to make up for my lack of will power around all things sweet). Since 1 January I’ve managed to rack up over 400 miles of running.

If you’d like to sponsor me, I’d be incredibly grateful.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go to Bone Cancer UK to help support the incredible work they do.

Thank you so much for your support. ❤️