"Everyone is running the marathon for a bigger reason and it’s amazing to be a part of that"

You've completed the marathon. How was it for you?

The London Marathon was tough but really wonderful at the same time. I had a lot less time to train for this marathon than previous ones because I had a baby in September, which really interfered with my training programme! That said, the marathon really motivated me to get fit again after birth – and by fit I mean both mentally and physically: I was diagnosed with postnatal depression, unfortunately, and I found the training really helped me by getting me outdoors and moving five times a week.
   

What were the key highlights and challenges?

The support from the spectators was just incredible – at some points the crowd was five or six people deep and I can’t emphasise enough how much the support helps get you round the course. People held up signs that made me smile and quite a few baked scones or provided oranges or jelly babies for the runners. I was really proud to be a Londoner. 

I was also really grateful for the support from my family, friends and colleagues. My partner met me at five different points on the route, and I got to cuddle my two little boys at the finish line! And a huge shout out to my colleagues at TopLine Comms and TopLine Film for helping me with fundraising and putting up with my complaints about achy legs!

Unfortunately, I had a knee injury that started to play up about 8km into the run. It meant I had to walk a lot more than I had planned. However, I met another injured runner who was walking and we chatted for hours and helped each other round the course. So even though I didn’t do the time I had hoped, it was worth it because I made a new friend!
 

What advice you would give to someone considering running the London Marathon in 2020?

Go for it! And run for a charity even if you are lucky enough to get a ballot place. One of the reasons the London Marathon is such an amazing experience is because it’s a huge fundraising event for loads of charities. That makes it much more than just a sporting event. Everyone is there for a bigger reason and it’s amazing to be a part of that.
 

What would you say was the best part about running for Crimestoppers?

Crimestoppers is a charity with big impact. The team really looked after me during fundraising, checking in regularly and offering lots of advice and support. I really appreciated that. It also felt good to pass the Crimestoppers support station on the day – thanks for being there!

But as a new mum, Crimestoppers is a meaningful charity for me. I love the fact that I live in a large city but I want my children to grow up in a crime-free environment where they can feel safe. So the Crimestoppers ethos is really important to me.
 

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