I have been training hard for many months to achieve my goal of running this 10K.  However, issues with my artificial leg over the past 3 months have disrupted my training schedule and, come race day, I may have to fartlek all the way round Arthur’s Seat (careful, I'll do the jokes).  My aim now is to cross the finishing line in my best possible time in any way that I can, with Susan and Karen at my side to give me encouragement and support.

Those of you who know Gerry will know that even the thought of running a 10k was enough to make him hide under the duvet with his guitar!  However, he has risen well to the challenge.  So much so, that I have persuaded him to run separately to try and achieve his best time. 

Both Gerry and I have been training with Miguel and Newbs, our incredibly patient Personal Trainers from Fitness Studio EH1, and I think it's fair to say that it's because of them that we have managed to get this far, and I am delighted that they will be running alongside us on the day.  

So glad to have the magnificent Susan Young and the wonderfully athletic Karen Eastwood, not only join us on the Team, but sacrifice their best times to accompany me for the entire 10K challenge.

Why 500 miles?  As an amputee myself, I am extremely fortunate in that all my prosthetic limb needs are met by the NHS.  What 500 miles does is supports the development and delivery of prosthetics and orthotics services in Malawi and Zambia ( and a little in Zanzibar).  They help people with impaired mobility of all kinds to get moving, as well and as independently as possible, by helping them to access prostheses and orthoses.   

In Malawi, Zambia and Zanzibar, when people are born with deformities, lose their limbs or the use of their limbs due to accident, disease or poverty, many of them also lose their livelihoods, homes or families - and the most vulnerable even die.  500 miles are working to give them back their lives by making prosthetic and orthotic devices as accessible and as affordable as they can, not just today but on a long term and sustainable basis.

This is a huge challenge for me - training for this has improved my mobility tremendously and I hope that our fund raising efforts improve the lives and mobility of many 500 miles patients.

So please, wish us luck with the last 4 weeks training and I hope you will help support the work of this wonderful charity.

Many thanks

Jane