So, here I am ready to start my training for the Great North Run!  I was thinking what can my sob story be so that it would pull at your heartstrings for sponsorship (maybe I have watched too many reality tv programmes!), but I decided why not just go with the truth.

 

As many of you will know I have never been the most active of people (ha, that’s an understatement!)  and my lifestyle wasn’t too healthy, but 3 year ago I received a wake up call when I was diagnosed with diabetes.  Yes, I can’t hide the fact that it was Type 2, just as serious as Type 1 but due to my lack of exercise and my poor diet and lifestyle maybe could have been avoided.  I read article after article to learn as much as I could about it and found it isn’t just that you can’t have sweets and chocolate - it is more complex than that and with lots of complications should you not look after yourself.  It can cause problems for your kidneys, nerves, feet, eyes and a higher risk of heart disease.  I started on medication, and changed my diet completely, but I still wasn’t active.  Stewart, my husband has ran the Great North Run three times and each time I thought I’ll do it next year, but I didn’t.  Then last year I thought "oh sod it, what have I got to lose".  On my first ‘run’ (I use that term loosely)  I had to go for a minute - I never realised how long a minute could feel and how I thought I was going to pass out.  With Stewarts constant support and a training programme I can now run for 50 minutes without legs turning to jelly, crumbling in a heap and my throat feeling as though it is on fire!

 

Obviously, the Great North Run will take longer than 50 minutes - I’m not that good (just yet!), but I am going to give it all I have and have a bloody good go!  I am raising money for Diabetes UK as a small thank you for all of the help and support they provide, guiding me on the right path and most importantly help their research.  Diabetes UK provide a wide range of services designed to help patients manage their diabetes or provides any support or information they need, at any age.  I know we all have our own causes and charities and maybe Diabetes UK would not be your first choice, but they are mine for the reasons I have mentioned and won’t bore you with again!  I am asking you lovely people (if you are still with me and not given up reading by this point!) to sponsor me.  It is a huge personal challenge for me and even if you can donate as little as a £1 it will help me to reach my target.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my page and if you can, dig deep!

xxx