I was inspired to take on the marathon challenge after watching my mother fight AML Leukaemia for nearly 3 years, sadly she passed away in January 2011. I wanted to really take on massive challenge, that was going to test me and at the same time to try to help the Leukaemia Foundation by raising money to fund research, so that Australians diagnosed with blood cancers could receive better treatment in the future and hope for one day that could lead to cures, so people won’t have to face the uncertain road and suffer like my mum did.

I’m not going to lie…. I’m petrified! I have been to New York before but have never run a marathon…. ever!

Some of the highlights of my experience so far, has been receiving the unexpected support and generosity from friends, family and work colleagues for my sausage sizzle fundraiser back in January. All I had to do was ask and they were there with bells on, and for the people who couldn’t physically be present they donated supplies for the day. Just amazing!

The biggest challenges for me I think is the physical and mental training involved to be able to complete the marathon, as well as keeping motivated to fundraise and reach my fundraising goal. I’m training with the Running Centre here in Perth, the 5am starts are tough before work but I know it has to be done as I can’t let all the people supporting me down, I have to get over that finish line! Knowing I have people’s support when the training gets hard as well as having an image of my mum in my head while I’m running is what is keeping me going at this stage.

So far, I have noticed that in weeks that I feel fitter definitely. When setting a goal, with a lot of hard work and determination you can give yourself hope in getting there. My favourite quote that keeps me going while I’m in the middle of my run and my legs start getting heavy and you think twice about stopping…  “Dreams only come to those who hustle”.

I am looking forward to being able to tick running a marathon and doing something ‘substantial’ to help contribute to the Leukaemia Foundation off my bucket list!

Really think hard about why you are setting yourself this goal? Do you want it badly enough to put yourself through the mental and physical ‘ups and downs’ to make it to the end? Everyone also needs support from family and friends, it’s not possible without them.

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