My Story

Hi everyone! 

In September 2016, I ran the Warsaw Marathon in 4h 41m. I was 31 years old, and the fittest I've ever been. Nine years and two children later, I haven't run seriously since Martha was born, and didn't think I'd be entering a big event any time soon...until I watched runners stream across the line in this year's London Marathon, and decided on a whim to enter the ballot. You can probably guess the rest!

Now I have seven months to get ready for what I already know will be an incredibly tough challenge. A decade ago, running a marathon wasn't easy, but I knew deep down I could do it. At this point in my life, I'll only really be able to answer that question when I'm standing on the start line - and maybe not even then. 

So why am I putting myself through it? Why not just give up my place and set my sights for now on something less daunting? Well, as some of you will know, my dad was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago. Since then, an amazing Dorset charity called PramaLife (and specifically their carer support group, Oakley Friends) have provided both my parents with invaluable support and advice, and have helped to make this pretty dramatic change to their lives feel a bit less scary and a bit more manageable.

For many people, a dementia diagnosis is incredibly overwhelming, whether they're receiving it themselves or caring for someone who's just had the rug pulled out from under them. It brings with it social stigma, fear of isolation, and stressful bureaucracy, especially for anyone reliant on a pension or benefits. It's disorientating, distressing, and frankly a bit shit. As society ages, more and more of us will be affected by dementia - directly or indirectly - which is why I'm so grateful that charities like PramaLife are there to help.

PramaLife provide support groups, special interest activities, telephone befriending, and much more to dementia parents and their carers. They have helped my parents to understand what they can expect from their future; they've offered practical help to my mum, as she's devoted more time to caring for my dad; and when needed, they've simply provided them with someone to talk to.

My parents were at the finish for my first marathon in Bournemouth 10 years ago. I don't know that they'll be there in London next April, and to be perfectly honest I have no idea at this point whether I'll make all the way down the Mall and over the line - but if I do, I know that they'll be a big part of the reason why, and every pound I raise for PramaLife between now and then will give me more motivation to keep putting one foot in front of the other, both in training and on the day itself.

Love,

Livvy