After a very active and sport-based childhood with athletics, rugby and football at the forefront of everything I did, adulthood has tended to focus more on family dog walks and leisure activities.

Numerous significant injuries in my teenage years led to my activity levels and sport engagement dwindling due to fear of further injuries. This lack of exercise has been compounded by wanting to spend and enjoy as much time with my children as possible while they are young and actually wanting to be around their parents (I’m looking at you, future teenage years!). I have been left in something of a sedentary slump, with no real exercise motivation but the health concerns of getting older and being less active very much playing on my mind.

The opportunity to complete the London Landmarks Half Marathon gives me the opportunity to kick myself into gear again, and not only show myself I am still able to find the motivation to take on new challenges and keep fit and healthy, but also set a positive example to my children and encourage them to continue participation in sporting activities for enjoyment and health. Being able to achieve this, while running to support our fantastic hospital charity is the perfect scenario.

The UHNM Charity fund fantastic projects across the Trust, not only helping to optimise patient care and their experience of using services at UHNM, but also providing funding for projects for staff wellbeing, making coming to work a more comfortable and rewarding experience. There are always great examples of their funds supporting projects that make a real difference to people lives and I am excited that the money I raise for this great cause will contribute to such projects in the future.

I had initially started training in September with the hope of posting a quick time (again that competitive edge of my youth took over), but plantar fasciitis in both feet scuppered those plans and have led to 3 months of very limited exercise. Now back in training, I am motivated and optimistic for a good completion time.

Any amount of money you are able to donate will be greatly appreciated; not only helping to motivate me in the training for this event (distance running is really not my strong point!), but most importantly by the people who will benefit from the projects it funds across the UHNM Trust.

Wish me luck!