Here we go

This is my 3rd London Marathon and my 3rd for Headway. My cousin Oli was killed after being run over, due to brain injury and this is why I support Headway.

I was originally scheduled to do this one in 2020 but covid hit and then in April 2021, I got hit. A speeding driver drove into me as I crossed the road and after being pushed head first into the window of a taxi across the road, I then ricocheted back to the other side, with my leg apparently “bouncing” off it and then pointing the wrong way. This resulted in being in a coma, a broken skull, broken eye socket, bleed on the brain, traumatic brain injury, grade 3 splenic laceration and my leg now being made with lots of metal. I was in hospital for 2.5 months. 

I wasn’t even able to run (definitely a jog and by no means a run) until December 2022 and this is the last opportunity to differ, until I lose my place. 

Before my 2016 marathon I’d never ran more than 800m. For 2016 and 2018 training never began until the January and I never got above 9 miles as the meniscus in my knee goes. 2024 hits different though and I’ve been “training” since June ‘23. The metal in my leg means it gives me pain when I do run, making me limp and as my balance has been effected, I go from side to side not in a straight path. Hopefully I don’t sway too much and do it nice and direct, so I’m not adding on any more distance 😬

The task seems so much greater than it ever has before, but it’s also so much weirder. It’s just bizarre to me that the charity I supported for Oli, has been the charity I’ve needed. 

I’ll be so happy to get the job done come April 21st and it’ll mean so much! I’ll have actually done it!! OF will be coming round with me and I’ll make him proud! 

P.S. I do laugh at the fact I clearly have marathon poses. Totally unplanned but the same shots, in the same place, both years! I’ll have to make sure they happen again 🤣

Brain injury can challenge every aspect of your life, walking, talking, thinking and feeling and the losses can be severe and permanent. It can mean losing the life you once lived and the person you once were.We all think 'it will never happen to me', but every year around 350,000 people are admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury. That's one every 90 seconds.A brain injury can happen to anyone, at any time. When it does, Headway is here to help.Join our team of #HeadwayHeroes taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2024 to help us continue improving life after brain injury. Please take the time to read their inspiring stories and help them achieve their fundraising targets by sponsoring them!£250.00 covers the average cost of emergency travel to and from hospital over a 4-week period to visit a loved one following a brain injury. £500.00 can fund the running costs of our nurse-led helpline service for one day, whilst £2,480.00 can support the service for one whole week.