August/September Update: So, as can be seen from both my Strava data and photos, late July and August was the time when my training started to ramp up........and thankfully, I stayed injury free! As a result, I am delighted to say I have now reached the next stage and have completed 2 half-marathons.

As a non-loving runner, my ultimate goal during the challenge is to go under 4 hours for 1 of the marathons and under 2 hours for one of the half-marathons. Despite my fitness levels not reaching the levels I had hoped, I am delighted to say that in both half marathons and achieved better times than I had dreamed:

- Big Half Marathon: 2:00:53

- Draycote Half Marathon: 1:57:52

Therefore, my target has been now reset to 1:50! In the next week, I take the next step on the challenge with the London Marathon.....training has only taken me 27km so have to make the other 15km on adrenaline......so please give generously!

July Update......So, you will all be delighted to note that as the pictures show, my challenge has actually commenced! In June, I completed both the National 3 Peaks Challenge and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge. My goal was to complete both in the 'challenge times' of 24 and 12 hours respectively and delighted that I managed to achieve in 23hr 59 mins (Just-in-Time principals followed) and 10hr 56 mins. Whilst this is only 2 of the 25 activities I need to complete, they are definitely the longest and probably the toughest on my body so pleased to have them in the bag!

I am now starting to ramp up running training and will provide more updates on progress next month. Delighted how the sponsorship has gone so far and would love this to continue so I can raise maximum money for these great causes

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------June Update.....So, the observant amongst you may notice that the title has changed!

After getting myself ready for my first Half Marathon challenge, I developed a foot injury that has put me out for the past 7 weeks. It appeared to be on the mend so was going to commence training again and then got struck down with Covid after 2 years of avoiding so not the start I was hoping for! Being a realist, it's looking unlikely that I will finish all the challenge in the next 6 months and therefore, given the theme, I have added 1 event on which will take me into 2023 (but still under 12 months!).

So, firstly many thanks for those who have already sponsored, I have done 0% of the challenge but am 18% there in terms of sponsorship. The actual challenge actually starts today - I am looking out at a windy wet Ben Nevis and not looking forward to the next 24 hours when I will compete the Three Peaks so please support with sponsorship to make my pain worthwhile!

I am keen to ensure I equally support both of the great causes so for those who wish to know, the first link is BCH and the second link is Pancreatic Cancer UK - thanks for the support!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Like many people, 2021 wasn't a great year for me.....the first lockdown had been relatively kind with sunshine, leisure time and as a result I managed to get to my lowest weight in known history.

I found the 2nd lockdown in 2021 much more difficult and as a result, life felt like it had much less sunshine and leisure time and I went from the lowest weight in known history to the heaviest and a much needed kick up the derriere was required!

As many of you will know, I love a goal so why not give myself the required kick whilst smashing a ridiculous target and raising money for 2 charities which mean the world to me and so Operation 20-2-2 was born. I am sure you are all wondering what marketing genius is Operation 20-2-2 so I will now put you out of your misery......in 2022, I will be completing:

- 20 Half Marathons (Shakespeare + 19 others (some of which will be training runs))

- 2 Marathons (Now 3! London + 1 other)

- 2 Endurance Events (Three Peaks and Yorkshire Peaks): DONE!

The first Half Marathon will be on 24th April (which I am painfully underprepared for) and other confirmed events are the Three Peaks and Yorkshire Peaks in June and the London Marathon in October. In support of this gruelling schedule, I am looking to raise money for 2 great causes close to my heart:

- Pancreatic Cancer UK: My mum died of Pancreatic Cancer in 2008 and at the time it was a relatively unknown illness. Unfortunately, the statistics remain tragic - more than half of people diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer die within 3 months. Survival rates have improved enormously for most cancers, yet for pancreatic cancer, this is not the case. Having worked for a Pharma organisation working in this field, I know the challenges faced.

- Birmingham Children's Hospital: In 2019, my youngest daughter, Lois, having just turned 5 had Open Heart Surgery at BCH. She spent 24 hours in Intensive Care which was a truly heart-wrenching experience for our family and spent another 5 day recovering. 6 days after this major operation, she was back home and the treatment she got to make this miraculous recovery was simply incredible and she loves to go back every year for her check-ups. Unfortunately, not all stories are as positive but seeing how this remarkable hospital and staff are able to make such a difference in so many children's and families lives is amazing.

Hopefully if I have set this all up right (?!?!), you should be able to give to either charity depending on which has the most meaning to you individually but ideally I am looking to raise £5000 across both so please help me smash the target!

The miracle of Strava will mean that I can provide regular updates on progress, pain and even health condition! Many thanks for your support