I started running in May 2011 when my sister entered race for life… I decided I needed to get fitter and set some stretching goals. In March 2012 I ran my first half marathon in Bath. Between then and February 2014 I ran over 20 half marathons a bunch of 10kms and a smattering of 5kms. I dropped from 16 to 12 stone and saw my race times tumble.

In 2014 I entered the London Marathon and ran for VICTA, completing in 4hrs 23 mins. I knew I could go both further and faster. I set some new goals and challenges and ran the Dublin marathon in October in 4 hours (and 17 seconds).

Going into 2015 I decided to go big…

Raising money for VICTA, I took on a new set of challenges starting in February running the Devon coastal marathon (which was actually 28.5 miles and 4500 ft of climbing) along the stunning coastline around Dawlish.

In March I took on the Green Man Ultra Marathon around Bristol, following the community forest path – a 47 mile trail race with a challenging 12 hour cut off. It was a hot and sunny March day following a period of rain, which meant a tough mix of muddy fields, tarmac and trail paths… coupled with it being a navigational route meant it was a real challenge. I completed in 10 hrs 12 mins and 12 seconds, putting me 118th out of 250 competitors.

Building on this I am running the 30 mile Vale Ultra Marathon on 11th April along the costal path of South Wales which promises “trails, hills and bucket loads of fun”… there will be a short taper of 2 weeks before the London Marathon on 26th April and the following weekend a 12 hour race in Derbyshire.

It’s fair to say I have quite a running habit these days, which I juggle with a 2 young children and a rather busy job. It’s not about finding time, its making time! I am aiming to run 2015 miles in 2015 and have also entered a few other marathons and a couple of ultras. This year has been about distance and volume rather than pace… my theory being I get more value for money if I take longer .