Hey everyone!

 

I suppose I should start my story with explaining how I got myself into facing a long hard 26.2 mile run!

 

The marathon has been something that I have watched since I have been little and it has always been something that I fancied doing. I am however, not a particularly athletic person and as my Mother says I 'struggle to run the length of myself'!

 

Earlier this year after an alcohol fuelled discussion, my friend and I decided to apply for the marathon. We read about how people rarely get a ballot place from their first application and can often takes years, so we thought we had little hope of getting a place. In a lovely twist of fate however, my friend received the rejection letter that we were both secretly hoping for, but I got in!

 

It has therefore been quite a shock to my wee system to realise I have six months to prepare for the biggest athletic challenge of my life!

 

BUT now for the important stuff:

 

The main reason for me to actually go through with doing this marathon is the charity that I would like to raise the money for.

 

My family has had the misfortune of having both my Uncle and my Aunt go through cancer. This was a truly awful situation for the family but thankfully they both came out the other side. During this difficult period in time they both used Maggie’s centres and I know that they were a great help to both of them and offered the kind of support that is just not available anywhere else. My Dad has since completed TWO Monster bike and hikes for Maggie’s which involved him covering 71 miles  (cycling 30 miles and walking 41) in less than a day, so I reckon the marathon should be a doddle ………!

 

Maggie’s is a charity, which provides the kind of help that is just not in the budget for the NHS or other medical facilities.  Maggie’s is a charity that realises the needs of cancer patients goes far further than the medical care provided in the hospital. They provide support for not only the patient but also the family and friends who often are overlooked.

 

Maggie’s works to provide five core elements in all of their centres:

Emotional and Psychological Support - Each Maggie's Centre has a team of cancer support specialists (including clinical or chartered counselling psychologists) who facilitate group support, contribute to psycho-educational courses, and provide individual support sessions.

Relaxation and Stress Management - Structured relaxation and stress management techniques can significantly reduce emotional distress and help healthy psychological and physical adjustment to a cancer diagnosis. They can also help if you have specific difficulties such as a phobia, pain and sleep problems.

Information - Having a thorough understanding of the information you have received about your diagnosis is proven to help reduce anxiety and uncertainty and help you regain a sense of control.

Benefits Advice - Financial issues can be a major concern for people affected by cancer.  At Maggie’s you can speak to benefits advisers with extensive knowledge of the benefits system who can give advice regarding what benefits you may be entitled to and any other forms of financial or practical help that may be available.

Other Support for Living with Cancer - Tai Chi,  'Look Good, Feel Better', provides an opportunity for women with a cancer diagnosis to learn about cosmetic possibilities for managing changes while undergoing treatment and nutrition workshops

If you could find a couple of quid that you would like to use to sponsor me, it would be greatly appreciated. I hope you can see how much the money would help Maggie’s and what a great cause it is.

Thanks

Nicole