Day one: the first run

Almost exactly three years ago (it will be on the 19th of August), my awesome Mum died from an incurable and terminal type of brain tumour - a GBM 4. Since then, life has been far from easy, and dealing with losing her has been almost impossible at times. When you're trying to deal with something like this, I think it really helps to have a goal in life; something to drive you forward, to fill your brain space in the darker moments and to make you feel like the future is plausible and positive.

So, what I've come up with is this: run a half marathon. Really? Me? Yes. Me. I get horrible chest pain when I run for more than 10 minutes. I have flat feet and a bad back. But more importantly than any of that, I need this.

Also, this gives me a fantastic opportunity, to raise money, and indeed awareness, for brain tumour charities. Cancer gets plenty of coverage, but the majority are the better known cancers like breast, prostate and leukemia.

I'm going to be running, hopefully, for the charity Brain Tumour UK, in memory of my mum and my uncle John, both of whom we lost to GBM 4 brain tumours in recent years. I'm of the opinion that brain tumour research needs a lot more investment, as many types remain a death sentence for the sufferer, and a painful journey for their families and loved ones. The longest I've ever run is 5k for the race for life, but as my mum's favourite song was "keep on running" it seems like a fitting way to raise some money in her memory.

So I went for my very first run tonight. Well, the first run I've done with the knowledge that in less than a year, I need to be fit to run a half marathon. A pretty daunting prospect to say the least. Tonight I jogged round the block, which took about 15 minutes, and I was surprised that I felt ok doing it. I've never been a good runner and I've got no stamina whatsoever, so running for ten minutes feels like an achievement!


I'll be putting a donation button on here soon, so if my story has any impact, please do donate or sponsor me.

Cassie x