After the Berlin Marathon, when my legs felt they were no longer part of my body, I swore I would never run another marathon but the crisis in mental health in young people needs addressing.  If humiliating myself once again can help then I am prepared to do it.

I was encouraged to run for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust by a friend at work.  I also wanted to do it because my good running buddy, Maeve, lost her cousin suddenly and tragically earlier this year.  

This is the ambition of the Trust:

Our vision is of a world where people understand and talk openly about depression, where young people know how to maintain wellbeing, and where the most appropriate treatment is available to everyone who needs it.

 The Trust was set up in 1997 in memory of Charlie Waller, a young man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression. Shortly after his death, his family founded the Trust in order to educate young people on the importance of staying mentally well and how to do so.

Update - so, training is ‘okay’ - helps with this beautiful weather (24 February 2019).  13 (ish) miles run today.  Couldn’t be lovelier.  Missed the Verona Half due to strike in Italy and Easyjet being pathetic.  Kassiopi 23k has now changed its dates so we will now run the Corfu Mountain trail but AFTER the marathon.  Training buddies dropping like flies - Mike broke his neck in a cycling accident on Friday (he’ll be fine but a bit of a dramatic way to miss early mornings), David has ITB issues (may not survive), Maeve a bit wonky (but aren’t we all).  

Update 13th April 2019 - training now a little behind schedule.  US trip resulted in frequent but shorter runs.  A 14 miler in NYC, 6 miles short of what I should do so having to compensate tomorrow with a 20 miler.  Relatively injury free but that’s probably because I haven’t run enough.  Maeve doing fabulously; David out until next year; Nick tip-top.  Andy so speedy we haven’t seen him for dust.  

Update 25th April 2019 - 3 days to go!  Picked up number from the Expo along with Maeve.  She's on top form.  Nick is in the best shape of his life.  I'm slightly under-prepared.  Have forgotten to train with any proper 'nutrition' so it will be Jelly Babies for me.  Now I just need to find my ergonomic bum bag to carry them in.  

Take pity on me and support an amazing cause.  

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