Hi Guys! I'm Paddy. I have decided that, in 2017, I am going to take on my first marathon (as well as other events) in order to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.

In 2014, I raised over £800 for the Alzheimer's Society by doing two half marathons, two 10k runs and the Yorkshire Tough Mudder. After a couple of years off (and two children later), I am going to try and raise some more funds for the charity by doing the following events:

• Oldham 7k Race - Sunday 14th May ✔
• Great Manchester Half Marathon - Sunday 28th May ✔
• Oldham 10k Race - Sunday 18th June ✔
• Royton Trail Race - Weds 12th July ✔
• Yorkshire Tough Mudder - Saturday 29th July ✔
• Fleetwood Half Marathon - Sunday 20th August ✔
• Littleborough 10k - Sunday 1st October ✔
• Birmingham International Marathon - Sunday 15th October. ✔

I am a relatively fit person and I frequently go to the gym and run on the roads, but I have never done a marathon before, so I am feeling quite nervous about it. I have downloaded a training plan and have sought advice from a few experienced runners, who have all given me helpful tips on how to prepare and train for it. I will post updates throughout the next 8 months on how my training is going and other useful tips that I have been given. The running events I am participating in before the marathon will also count as part of my training, as well as being events for me in their own right.

The reason I have chosen the Alzheimer's Society charity is because I have seen at first hand the effect that this illness can have on a family. It becomes a stressful time for a lot of people in the family and I hope that my fundraising can help contribute to trying to improve research into this illness.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Paddy