Why I’m taking part in the Manchester Marathon

Sometimes I still find it weird to say I’m a runner, I’m not the fastest in the world – but I’m still a runner. I started running as a hobby back in 2010 when I ran the Manchester 10k. Since then I have ran two more 10k’s, 15 half marathons and one marathon. So I guess I really am a runner!

Time has never really been important to me, but for my next run… it really is. I am taking part in the Manchester Marathon on Sunday 5^th April and I’m determined to beat my time from London Marathon 2017 … of 5 hours, 17 minutes. I don’t even care if it’s 2 minutes faster, as long as I beat my time.

I told myself after the London Marathon that I would never run a marathon again. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, not just on the day itself – but all the training. It took over my life for a few months. But it was 100% worth it. I learnt massively that unless your legs physically break – you can carry on running. It’s definitely mind over matter, which I think I am an expert in now! Running a marathon is emotional, hard work but such a personal achievement.

I would say the main reason for me taking part in the Manchester Marathon is to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice. I started working for St Ann’s as the Fundraising Manager back in October 2018 and cannot begin to explain how proud I am to work for such a wonderful organisation. I meet incredible patients and families, volunteers, staff and fundraisers every single day. St Ann’s believes that everyone deserves the best, high quality care, which I agree with too and I honestly don’t know where we would be without our hospices.

I think one thing that will keep me going on the day is remembering the work we do and the difference we make to patients, their families, and loved ones. I remember when I was helping at the Manchester Half Marathon cheer point in October, a lady came over to me and gave me a huge hug and she said “thank you for the work you do, you looked after my brother and I’ll never forget it” – this meant so much to me and I’ll never forget that she did that. In fact, I am pretty sure her hug and words were what sealed the deal –because I signed up the following day because of it!

I am so excited to be part of Team St Ann’s at the Manchester Marathon in April. I can’t wait for the atmosphere, to run past the hospice cheer point and meet the other hospice runners.