**EDIT - I did it! I ran a marathon!**
It was hot, hilly and whole lot of fun. Even with chemo in her system Becky was too quick for me so I made some new marathon buddies and ended up running (ish!) up The Chevin with Jo, Jane and Joe to cross the line in 6h58m. Seeing Rob Burrow being pushed by Kevin Sinfield was inspirational, along with the beautiful MND community and the magnificent people of Leeds and Otley and everywhere inbetween. Will I do another marathon? In a heartbeat yes. Just not so hilly next time! I did it Dad, Grandpa and Rob...just for you!

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I am not a marathon runner but I am going to run my first ever marathon on Sunday 14 May 2023. The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon Is being held in support of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the MND Association.

I was encouraged to sign up by Becky Long, my rugby playing buddy from years gone by. We have both lost loved ones to MND. Becky lost her husband Ray, father to their two small children in 2000, and I lost my Grandpa in 2004 and my Dad Bob Cooper in 2020. Together we want to see a cure for MND. 

Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019. Since then, Rob and his family have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to support other families living with MND.

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will see over 12k participants take on a brand new route through Leeds that starts and finishes at Headingley Stadium. Rob played number 7 for Leeds Rhinos so this number is synonymous with him hence my target of raising £777! Taking in the hills of Leeds and some of the most scenic countryside and outer suburbs, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will be a fitting tribute to the city that launched Rob’s career and which he calls home.

However, the training plan has not quite gone to plan due to a few ‘life’ issues for us both. Becky’s breast cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock but in true Becky style she has completed her chemotherapy and delayed her next treatment to be able to take part. We are taking the sensible decision and ‘Jeffing’ the marathon. We will be running/walking/running/walking. The goal is to cross the finish line in one piece! 

The final few weeks training have also been hampered by me falling down the hospital stairs (oh the irony!) and  Becky being pulled over by her new dog Ervin. Two dodgy ankles later and the final build up has been intense as we aim for the start line at Headingly Stadium, Leeds. Kevin Sinfield is our Team Captain and Rob Burrow is our inspiration. We are made of tough stuff and will do all we can to cross the start and finish line! Please join us on our journey as we head into the hills of Leeds

Thank you for supporting me and all MND warriors past and present by sponsoring my efforts in my first ever marathon. No matter how hard it gets nothing can be as hard as living with MND.

What is MND? Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is when messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. The disease affects everyone differently. Not all symptoms will affect everyone, or in the same order. Symptoms also progress at varying speeds, which makes the course of the disease difficult to predict. MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. MND Association: www.mndassociation.org

Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon:
www.runforall.com/events/marathon/leeds-marathon/

Marathon route:
https://youtu.be/e1guMkvnoPs

Please donate here:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nathalie-dawson-robburrowleedsmarathon2023

My inspiration, my Dad. See here for all my MNDA challenges.
https://bob-cooper.muchloved.com

#Runningforacure #Nofinishlineuntilthereisacure #MNDWarriors #MNDA #BobCooper #Grandpa #RayLong #RobBurrow #Kevin Sinfield #RunForRob 

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