UPDATE 4.4.23 - One down, one to go!
On Sunday 2nd April I completed the Brighton Marathon finishing the 26.2 mile course in 4 hours 54 minutes, and so inside my target time of 5 hours. It was a bit cold and windy, but the sun shone and the streets were crowded with support for me and the other 8500 runners.
As with any marathon, it wasn't easy, but if it was then it wouldn't be a challenge!
Now just 3 weeks to recover and be ready for London!

My story......

Having planned to run my double marathon challenge in 2022 at the age of 65, an injury to my foot meant that I had to postpone running it to 2023!

In 2012, at the age of 55 I ran my first marathon, more than anything else, to prove to myself that I could do it.

Now that I'm nearer 70 than 60, I thought it was time to find myself a new hurdle to overcome. And what better than by doubling the size of my last one!
So, in 2023 I've set myself the challenge of running 2 marathons.

On Sunday 2nd April I will be running in the Brighton Marathon, and just 3 weeks later, on 23rd April, I will be taking my place on the start line for the London Marathon.

3 miles on January 3rd 2023 was the first of at least 3 training runs a week for 13 weeks gradually building the miles and stamina. Whether it's warm or cold, wet or dry, snow, sleet or fog, I, like thousands of others, will be out there pounding the streets, putting in the miles. But it's for a great cause and that's why I need YOUR support.

Back in 2012 my chosen charity was Alzheimer's research, in memory of my Mum who succumbed to it.

This time I wanted to support a charity that was about the future. In today's world, when we see families struggling with rising energy costs, inflation, pandemics and war, life can be challenging for many.

And that is why, this time, I'm proud to be running to raise much-needed funding for NCT.

There is no job more important than being a parent. The first 1,000 days are crucial to later life chances. Being a parent can be challenging and isolating too. NCT supports thousands of expectant and new parents. They share knowledge, bring families together, and campaign for change.

NCT has a vision of a world in which no parent is isolated and all parents are supported to build a stronger society. Most important of all is that they help parents provide strong and supportive backgrounds to bring up the children who are the future of our society.

We are all someone's child. Many of us have children of our own. And all around us we see families who need our support.

So, please support me in my challenge and give anything you can to help NCT continue to support families and children in creating better futures.