I can't actually believe I am writing this on my own just giving page as I swore to myself I would never run a marathon. Yet here I am! So where do I start? For those who know me well you will understand that I love running. Now you would think because I love it I would be good at it? Erm no I'm not that great which makes this even more of a challenge. For those of you who also know me you will know I am vertically challenged so to run 26.2 miles will involve a hell of a lot of tiny steps, wish I had long legs now. 

I started running frequently over a year ago after I dragged, crawled, cried my way round the Liverpool Half Marathon in 2012. Why did I randomly decide to run a half marathon I hear you ask? I was coming to the end of maternity leave after an amazing year with my two boys and the half marathon fell on Mother's Day. I ran it for my kids - something they are too young to understand but I wanted to do something amazing to end an amazing year. I never asked for sponsorship as I ran just to show my boys how much I loved them and how much I was prepared to put myself through. I ran with all my heart.

The reason I share this story is I approach the London Marathon with the same heart, the same passion and determination. The Alzheimer's Society are the charity of the year for the company I work for. Through this charity I have come to learn that there are so many people who surround me who are affected in some way and have a loved one or have lost a loved one to dementia. 

I can give you the statistics for example over 800,000 people in the UK currently suffer with dementia, 17,000 of whom are young people. While the statistics are heartbreaking, its seeing how devastating this illness is in reality. The reality is these people are someone's Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister, Nan, Grandad, someone who means so much to you.

I ran my first half marathon for love and I run my first full marathon for the same reason. This is for all my friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances who have lost or are losing someone they love to this illness. All money raised will help The Alzheimer's Society fund dementia care and support and provide the best advice and support to anyone dealing with dementia. 

Wish me luck and remember I only have little legs! 

Katie xxx