Running through my 40's

In April I ran my first ever marathon, and then just after that I ran another one!  I am not sure how I ended up running two marathons in a month, but it is a challenge I set myself so I did it!

I am just about to embark on my biggest challenge yet … 50 miles across the Shropshire hills!

Last year I decided, as a milestone birthday was approaching in 2016, I would run a marathon.  Having only started running ‘properly’ in May 2015 I realised that this could be a bit of a challenge but I still signed up for the London Marathon ballot.  I didn’t hear anything so I signed up to Manchester instead.  I decided that I would run it for Dementia UK and try and raise some money along the way.  Then at the end of last year I found out I had a ballot place for London – something which is difficult to get!  I couldn’t give up my place in London … and so I convinced myself that I would train for the two and just get on with it.

Races

As part of my training I started entering different races, and then a few more.  To be honest, I am a sucker for a bit of bling!!  I then decided that I would run 40 races by my birthday, including the marathons and I am now up to 26 completed.

I have been training when and where I can, my trainers come to project meetings so I can run round whatever city or back of beyond town I am in, I get up early to run or I go late at night when I am home from work and the girls are in bed.  I have been chased by dogs, fallen down potholes, trudged through mud, jumped in lakes, been battered by the wind and rain and sweated in the glorious sunshine.  I have also dragged my poor children and husband round races or on training runs.  They have even entered a few with me.

I decided to do this to raise some money for Dementia UK.  As you can see it started with just a marathon but that didn’t seem enough.  I wanted to do something more demanding to raise as much money as possible, and dealing with dementia is a huge challenge so 40 races seems quite fitting. (Read this to find out why I chose Dementia UK)

So, if you think I am putting in enough effort or just have some spare change lying around you would like to donate to Dementia UK then I would appreciate the support!  I have a donation page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/40Racesby40.

As a busy working mum of two, training during the week will be my biggest obstacle. I sometimes have to go away with my job which means packing my runners and trying to fit my training round meetings. But I will get there … I must get there!!!