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At the age of 62 I will be attempting my first and what will be my only  marathon in the best city in the world- London. I have secretly always been relieved not to have been lucky in the ballot but being giving the opportunity of a charity place from my local hospice in Nuneaton- a town I have always lived and worked  was too good an opportunity to miss.

Having lost two sisters and a brother all in their fifties I feel so lucky to be healthy enough to do this.  I saw first hand through these personal losses the great work that all hospices do. Your life either physically or personally can turn on a sixpence and I take nothing for granted.  I have been running on and off since I was 50 after my own diagnosis and subsequent full recovery from breast cancer. It is only since joining the Badgers running club 3 years ago that I have been more consistent as they are such an inclusive, fun, inspiring and supportive bunch.

I am not a natural runner and can’t say I love running but what  I do enjoy is the feeling you get after a run which I wish I could bottle.  My now 4 young grandchildren have been pushed around Saturday morning  5km park runs since they were babies and we all love doing these throughout the country as a family and  I would encourage anyone to give them a go - you can just walk or volunteer - they are free, fun and social.

I have watched both my daughters complete the London Marathon and always love watching it on the TV. It is them that say I should and could do it- I am ready to take up that challenge- it’s now or never!  Running a marathon to me will be a test on mind body and soul.

I suppose I am a positive person and I hope that optimism along with a good training plan and fingers crossed no injuries will get me over that line next April.

Any donation greatly appreciated thanks SO much x

UPDATE  JULY 2021 - as you are aware the 2020 marathon got cancelled due to Covid.  I had got up to 20 miles in my training plan just before lock down and was doing well.  This is now my third training plan and I am nearly 2 years old so will be one month off my 64th birthday now when I do run the marathon and running is that bit harder and slower.

Will take up knitting after this maybe! xx

The Virgin London Marathon in now on Sunday 3 October!

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