Thanks for taking the time to look at my page. I am sorry in advance if you have been subjected to a social media badgering, me pushing my inevitable dismay for long runs on you in the pub and general constant talking about the fact I am going to try and run a marathon. 

It would be fair to say I am little consumed by it. It might help you to understand why if I give you a little bit of information on how consuming it is. Over the next 20 weeks, I will be training six days a week.This will include at least four runs a week (weekly mileage starting at 21 Miles and building each week)  and two 'rest' days. Two of my three non running days a week involve cross training & strength training. Sunday is chill.

For those of you that don't know me, I am a full time mum, with a part time admin job. I started running just over a year ago after many, many failed attempts to succeed at or enjoy a form of free exercise. Over the last 14 months I have run three half marathons, the furthest distance I have ever run is 14 miles and I did this once. 

It's hard to explain to you just how daunting I find the idea of doubling that distance but I can try. Really daunting. Really really fucking daunting. 

However, I am doing it for a reason, over the last couple of years I have become more aware of Dementia, its different forms, the effect it has on a person and the way that can impact the family and support network a person has. 

My best friend Joe, his mum is one of those people and he and his family are the suffering support system I mention above. Dementia in all its forms can be a particularly slow, particularly crushing form of torture. Not only for the person who is sick, but for the family sitting around watching someone they love waist away with no quality of life. This isn't just about Joe and his family's experience, I reference him because it's what made dementia real for me.  His experience has shown me that some people live in a world where the kindest and most generous gift they could wish for someone they love is death. 

Some people wake up each day vulnerable, confused, frightened & alone. I don't.      

I get to wake up each day and ask myself what it is I want to do, how do I get to use my body, or my brain in a way that brings me joy. For now I get to feel secure in my family, my mid & my able body. So that is the bit I am  going to use, I am going to really challenge myself and I am going to run a marathon. 

I am not a scientist, I can't use my brain to research and study this disease in the hope of reducing its impact but I can ask you to sponsor me running Brighton Marathon 2020, and a result you will be directly funding some scientist that can.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this, if you are interested in following my training or seeing how the fundraising is going, you can follow me in instagram @trying2marathon.