10 years ago I foolishly thought I had “one marathon in me” so started entering the London Marathon ballot. Last year thinking like other years I wouldn’t get in I persuaded my hockey colleagues to join me and enter a “Race the Sun” charity team endurance event for Sept 2024 consisting of a 40 mile cycle around the Lake District starting in Keswick , then a 10mile hike up to the summit of Skiddaw followed by kayaking around a course on Derwentwater. As you have probably guessed after entering the endurance event I then received the news I had finally got a place in London …… so now 10 years older (than when I originally thought it would be a good idea) , with 10 years of extra wear and tear on my joints and at least 10lbs heavier I am now facing two events this year !

I started “marathon training ” last November on a gradual 6 month plan but sadly after fracturing my hand in January things have been a bit hit and miss. I fully appreciate you don’t run with your hands but boy does it still swell and ache during/ after a training run- that’s my excuse and I am sticking with it ! .

Seeings as I am now committed to finally ticking off this “once in my lifetime bucket list event” and thankfully with two weeks to go I have no specific leg injuries etc , I thought it would be remiss of me if I didn’t use it as an opportunity to raise money for charity . I also appreciate psychologically getting sponsorship will give me a sense of purpose and will undoubtedly spur me on to complete my 26 mile jog / shuffle . So by combining my marathon effort with our team charity endurance event later in the year this means I will only ask kind friends , family and colleagues to sponsor me once.

So if you are able to, any small donation to the amazing medical research charity as outlined below would be much appreciated .

Thank you for reading this litany and look out for me on marathon day I’ll be the one dressed as a book ( as it was the slowest world record female dressed as …. I could find , so yes I have officially entered going for that record 🙄) x Lucy

“Action Medical Research is the leading UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research. For 65 years we’ve helped pioneer ways to prevent disease and develop treatments benefiting millions of people. Our research has helped to beat polio in the UK, develop ultrasound, fight meningitis and prevent stillbirths. But we urgently need to develop more new treatments and cures for sick babies and children and we can’t do it without you.

Join our fight for little lives.”