I've never run a marathon, let alone an ultramarathon, and I've an acute genetic blood condition and asthma... I started training in October to see if I could run 500m down the local bridleway and back. Since October, I've run over 1,000km (600 miles) with more than 26,000m of ascent (3 times up and down Mount Everest!).

I'm now running more than a marathon distance most weeks on the challenging South West Coastal Path. This is my journey to get my health back on my own terms and support the Wave Project...

Last summer, we drove to the French Alps for a family holiday and ended up in Chamonix. The place was buzzing. Thousands of people were lining the streets to applaud a stream of runners crossing a finishing line.

We were probably the only people there with no idea of what was going on. These runners were finishing the TDS… one of the hardest ultramarathons in the world. 145km non-stop with 9,100m of ascent around Mont Blanc. Finishing was a huge and emotional moment for them, more importantly I couldn’t believe that many of them were my age or older. 

I couldn’t get my head round the distance they had run, and the more ultra running YouTube’s I watched, the more I got hooked and inspired. Soon enough, I decided to see if I could run down the local bridleway and back, and I could. Next, I thought I’d see if I could run down the bridleway and around the local woods and back, and I could. On the strength of that, and a small mid-life crisis after just turning 50, I decided I should run my own ultramarathon. 

I’m not a runner. I’ve done the occasional Park Run, but I’d never even run a half marathon, let alone a marathon. I’ve also developed severe asthma as an adult. 

Needing a goal, I signed myself up for the Classic Quarter ultramarathon in May. 44 miles from Lizard Point in Cornwall, to Land’s End, along the beautiful but brutal south-west coastal path, with over 5,531 feet of ascent along the way. 

I’ve found an amazing coach, Jamie (he won it last year), and we started my training in October 2022, from literally nothing. I’m now running a marathon in distance every week. It’s been an amazing journey so far, but I had no idea how much preparation and commitment this would take.

I’m not only doing this to get my own health back after losing my flying career for medical reasons, but to raise money for one of the most inspiring charities I’ve ever come across - The Wave Project. This surf therapy charity helps young people with social, emotional, and mental health challenges, through the power of the ocean. I’ve heard firsthand the positive impact it has had on their lives and well-being, and I wanted to do something to help.

As part of my commitment to their project, I’ve started to volunteer as a surf mentor for six weeks, to help a young person through their own life challenges, and I hope I can help make a really positive life-changing difference for that young person. I see this ultramarathon as a simile for life, beautiful, arduous and painful at times but achievable and rewarding with self-belief and determination. 

As with every charity, they need financial support as well as goodwill. I’d really appreciate your support - the more we raise, the more help and support we can give to these amazing young people, and the more motivation I’ll have to make it all the way to Land’s End! 

You can follow all of my training and progress updates on my Facebook page…

Let’s do it!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.