The Reluctant Runner's 1st London Marathon 💪🏼

In honour of my Absolute Legends

My Story

My first London Marathon! I am not a natural runner. Everything hurts, I fall over a LOT and the sweat… oh, the sweat. I am the epitome of reluctant runner, I find every step of training a physical and mental challenge and the thought of taking on a marathon is genuinely mind-blowingly scary. BUT taking on months of training in all weathers all in the name of covering 26.2 miles in ONE DAY to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause that is super close to my heart? Yeah, I can do that. I CAN do that! I actually had to have a little cry in the shop car park when I got the email to say I’d been accepted onto Team CRUK for the 2026 London Marathon – I had all the emotions: happy and daunted and excited and nervous and determined all at the same time. I am running in honour of my Absolute Legends, the people who I hold in my heart and inspire me to keep going; my darling Auntie Janet, who sadly passed away after a heroic battle with breast cancer aged just 46 in 2002; my amazing Nanna Doris, who kicked cancer’s butt; my beloved Grandted, who supported her; my dear Grandpops and Nanna Gladys, who cared for my Auntie Janet when she was so very poorly; and my cheeky Uncle Alan who died of cancer in 2024 and always supported my fundraising. Many others will be on my mind over the coming months: friends and colleagues who are currently bravely and determinedly fighting their cancer battles, others who are sadly no longer with us and loved ones we are so thankful to still have with us, as well as those who support them when the going gets tough. It’s going to be hard but their inspiring stories and bravery will keep me going, as will the incredible support from you all! I’ll also be taking on the below challenges along the way: • Burnham On Crouch 10km - October 5: this is dodgy terrain, coastal paths and countryside trails but I’ll be doing my best to run it as fast as I can. UPDATE: SMASHED IT! 💪🏼 10km in 1:03:38 • RunThrough London Ten – November 23: this 10 mile run through the Queen Elizabeth Park is going to test me as it’s coming up very soon – but I’m getting the miles under my belt to try to run it all without stopping. UPDATE: SMASHED IT! 💪🏼1:43:59 • My own Half Marathon before the end of 2025😳 UPDATE: SMASHED IT! 💪🏼Completed my own half marathon on Christmas Eve - plus an extra 0.5 miles! - in 2:26:05. Absolutely THRILLED! • Bath Half 2026 – March 15: Returning to the scene of my first ever half back in 2019, my brother Paddy will be joining me for these 13.1 miles, just over a month before London. UPDATE: SMASHED IT! 💪🏼 SO happy to have got over the start line, let alone the finish line after an injury to my heel meant 2 months off running. But kept up the strength training and Xtrainer and, despite only managing a 3 mile run prior, ran the whole thing and got over the finish line in 2:28:05 - DELIGHTED! • Holding my first ever charity quiz and raffle! UPDATE: Overwhelmed by all your support, we raised an incredible £1,017!! THE BIG ONE: London Marathon 2026 ... Bring it on! 🙌🏼🏃🏼‍♀️ Got ideas? Fancy dress? No haribo for a month? Wearing your face on a t shirt while I train? Drop me a donation and an idea – and I might just do it! Nothing with spiders. The fear is real, the emotions are high… let’s do this! See you at the finish line 💪🏼 x