So why are we here?

The first question you might be asking is why am I doing a marathon?... again? After running the Berlin marathon in 2008 I swore never again. Being unable to walk down stairs for 5 days really can put you off. But they say time is a healer and that peer pressure can make you do stupid things and I guess it's a bit of both of those.

I was talked/coerced into signing up by a few people at work (2 of whom are running it as well!). I also thought that it would be a good way to motivate myself to go running again and get fit(ter) after becoming a dad last year. Not many people believe this but I actually quite enjoy running, it gives me time to just switch off and not really think about anything except distances and times. You also get to see awesome views like the one in the photo above which is Eccup reservoir in Leeds at sunset.

Now the why a JustGiving page? I'll keep it short - I'm raising money for a mountain rescue charity in Swaledale in memory of my uncle Huw who died earlier this year in a skiing accident. Given the nature of Swaledale mountain rescue's work I thought raising money for them would be a fitting way to remember Huw and raise money for a worthy cause at the same time. Simple as that. Please sponsor me if you can. Any amount, big or small, will be gratefully received.

Over the course of my 22 weeks of training: I've lost nearly 2 stone, reduced my 10k time from 55 minutes to 47 minutes, got 1 top 10 all time segment on Strava and eaten a hell of a lot of cake and biscuits. Living proof that you can out-exercise a bad diet.