I wanted to do a big challenge for Chestnut Tree House’s 21st Birthday in 2024 and when the chance of running the London marathon came up I jumped at it. It’s something I have watched every year on the TV and said I would like to do it ONCE! Now I am going to! 

I am not a runner although have done the odd 5k and even a couple of 10ks over the past 13 years, but at the moment I couldn’t run to the end of the road, so Couch to Marathon here I come! I have a bad back and am 3 stone overweight so I hope the running will help both of these. I will be giving updates and will celebrate each milestone I hit -  5k, 10K HM (I have a place in the Great North Run - September 2023) and then London Marathon Tree 26 miles or 42km if you prefer. 

I need to raise £2200 so any sponsorship would be amazing and am again taking cake orders of which all profit will go in the pot. Will be thinking of a few small events to hold too. Wish me luck!! 

Planned Events 

April - couch to 5k 4 weeks completed

Car Boot sales 

May - couch to 5k continued but chest infection put a stop to training 

June -Race for Life - Worthing 42mins 

July - Goodwood 10K 1hr 28mins and 1st park run Littlehampton 39mins 

August - Fundraising -Quiz Night raised £450

Arundel 10K 1hr 28 mins (but very hilly)

2nd LA parkrun 36mins

September - Great North Run (half marathon 20k/13miles) too soon really but got a ballot place - completed 3hrs 13mins - miscalculated -it’s 21km!!

Barns Green 10K  - 1hr 17 mins 

October - Great South Run -10miles  2hrs 34 - shouldn’t have run it with the knee injury 🥲

Rest of month off to fix knee

November - out injured! 

December - 16th - got my running shoes back on

January - Marathon Training has commenced! 

5k 39mins 

10K covered 1hr 21 

February - Brighton Half Marathon 3hs 2mins

March - Paddington is in training! 

Easter Fundraisers - £364 raised

1st April - 32.2k final long training run - 6 laps of mewsbrook park - rustington- Littlehampton loops - 4 hrs 50 of running - Strava says a lot more but this was due to stopping at stall each lap. 

21st April - London Marathon 2024!!!! Blisters and toilet stops (5of) slowed me down considerably but I got to the finish line 7hrs 28

28th April - Last race of the year will be a Mascot Race at Wetherby Racecourse. 

May - Quiz night jointly raining money for Institute of cancer. Over £800 raised so £400 going to each charity.

Chestnut Tree House is a children’s charity providing hospice care and community support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.There are hundreds of children and young people in your local community who are unlikely to reach adulthood. And even more parents and family members who need care, help and support on their journey, as they don't know how long they will have together.Your support helps families to spend time together. Precious moments that give a lifetime of memories.