Marathons and Motivation

Before I begin, I'd like to say a huge congratulations to my sister who is expecting her first baby in December.

As any of you who have followed my journal will know, tomorrow night I am taking part in the Edinburgh Moonwalk. It's a marathon, but no ordinary marathon. It begins at midnight and we will be powerwalking through the night until breakfast time. Not only that, we'll be doing it in decorated bras (see above), all 10,000 of us, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and care.

It sounds crazy, and as such I wanted to tell you a little about my motivation and what drives me to put my body through such torment.

I have been fundraising for cancer charities since 2005 and 2006 when I did my first 5K runs for Cancer Research UK. At the time, this felt like a really big thing to be doing. I raised my sponsorship, I ran jogged my little heart out and I gave it my all. I probably would have been happy continuing like this but in August 2006 I got a call that would change my life. My mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Words cannot describe the turmoil of emotions that I felt at that point.

Seven months later, after 3 operations and an intensive course of radiotherapy they decided all the cancer was gone. After this though, a 5K run just didn't seem enough, I wanted to do more, I wanted to do everything I could to help others in her situation. That autumn I saw an advert for a charity event that was happening in Edinburgh and without a thought I signed up.

In June 2007 and I participated in my first marathon as part of the Edinburgh Moonwalk. I powerwalked 26.2 miles through the night in a decorated bra to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and care. It was a real challenge. I was walking on my own and the final ten miles were pure hell. My muscles burnt, my feet ached, I was exhausted and I honestly didn?t feel I could go on, I had hit the wall! Despite this, I knew I needed to continue. I had no choice, deep in my heart I knew that I had to get to the finish, I had to make it to the end for my mum and all those whose lives had been affected by breast cancer.

At around 7:20am I stumbled across the finish line, tears streaming down my face, relieved to have made it and unbelievably proud.

Two years later in 2009 I signed myself up for it again but this time I had two friends to walk with me and keep me going. Again it was a challenge, I knew the route, I knew where I'd struggled previously, worst still, I knew completely what I'd let myself in for. The worst part was the final few miles. In attempting to limit toilet stops I had let myself become seriously dehydrated and with every step I felt I was about to be sick. But again, I knew I had no option but to continue until the end.

Some would have thought that two marathons would have been punishment enough. But no, another two years on and I'm doing it all again. I think I've trained more this time and I've learnt from my previous mistakes but no matter how hard you train, it doesn't prepare your body for exercising when you should be sleeping.

I'm now a mere £13 away from my fundraising target of £300. My bags are sorted and I'm munching on carbs ready for the night ahead tomorrow. My mum was one of the lucky ones. Her cancer was caught early with a routine mammogram, it was treated and she is now approaching 5 years cancer free. She is an amazing lady, she is my inspiration and I love her dearly. I admire her strength, courage and determination in life. Mum, this one's for you! x