I ran my first (and only) official half marathon in November 2019 after starting to run more regularly that year and completing a Tough Mudder in the September. Playing football resulted in too many injuries and I needed an activity to try and keep fit and healthy. Thank you to John Davies for inspiring me with runs along the canal from Kings Cross in our lunch breaks and booking up the half marathon so that I had a goal. A shout out to Luke Carpenter, who has been my regular running partner in and around the local area and we smashed the Tough Mudder together. Tom Collins, Doug Cannie and Ben Jones have helped motivate me with their various endurance challenges and have been great training allies which I am grateful for, along with the broader inspiration and support of the Strava community.

I was lucky to have established this hobby before COVID struck in March 2020 and so had something I could do to keep healthy and to support my mental wellbeing. The world had to pivot from using gyms and doing team sports and we all became runners (Matilda and Ray even ran a bit with me too).

Fast forward through the pandemic, hitting 40 and a mid-life crisis, and I've decided to try and complete my first marathon. I am equal parts anxious / excited about the prospect. It is so FAR.

I will be running the Brighton Marathon on 12 September and fundraising for Barnado's. Barnado's looked after my Grandmother; Edith Hollander after she fled Germany for the UK on the kindertransport as a young child before the Second World War.

Last year, Barnardo's supported around 300,000 children, young people, parents and carers.Barnardo's has over 1000+ services across the UK supporting with Mental Health, Child Abuse and Exploitation, Disability, Young Carers and many more. Barnardo's aim to provide the best outcome for every child, no matter who they are or what they have been through. You can find out more on the website: www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do. By supporting, you will help Barnardo's continue to support, protect and nurture the UK's most vulnerable children.