20 years ago I noticed some people spent their weekends training for marathons and other tough sporting events instead of going to the pub, and I wondered if perhaps I could do that too. I decided to sign up for a half marathon race to find out! That race was the Great North Run, an iconic event in British and global running. It's one of the biggest half marathon events in the world, in a city that loves running. Could I do this hard thing? 

My first Great North Run was a tough but amazing experience. Over the years, running and working towards hard things have given me resilience, mental and physical strength, and kept me grounded through life's ups and downs. It's taught me a lot about the power of commitment, patience, and believing in myself. Also the importance of snacks, a good sports bra, and to always be prepared for an unexpected bathroom break. 

Twenty years on, I've run countless races from 5k's to half marathons and triathlons, but I really wanted to mark my 20th year since first lining up at a big race start - and what better way to do that than going back to that first start line? I was even able to convince my good friend Sarah to sign up for her first half marathon and run the 2022 Great North Run with me (or, realistically, some way ahead of me). To make the anniversary trip a bit more special, I wanted to give something back to the North East region that hosts this inspirational event and raise funds for a great local charity, Children's Cancer North. 

Children's Cancer North is dedicated to making life better for children with cancer across the UK's North East and Cumbria. Around 100 children from across the region are newly diagnosed with cancer every year and come to the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle for their treatment. Children's Cancer North aims to improve their quality of life through transforming the environment and play experience on the wards, providing access to potentially life saving clinical trials and funding revolutionary research to find more effective treatments.

Thanks so much for supporting my fundraiser for this amazing organisation, and especially to all of you who've cheered on, supported (or at least tolerated) my adventures over all these years.