I run for both my physical and mental health. My mum sadly passed away as a result of a stroke when she was just 47, I also lost two of my grandparents to strokes, so keeping fit and healthy is so important to me and is what led me to my first race in 2013.
In 2017 I completed the resolution 15k with friends and family for the Stroke Association and the great Birmingham run for Birmingham children’s hospital which was my second half also in 2017. Since then I have taken part in a lot more races but, as like many, when covid hit in 2020 it put the breaks on my events and I sadly only got to complete 3 live races. To keep up my running and raise money for the NHS Charities together I found myself taking on lots of virtual monthly challenges including the great Birmingham virtual run.
This year I have set myself the challenge to total 2021 miles during 2021 in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is close to my heard as my great niece Alice has been treated there since birth and recently had her shunt replaced. Alice who is only 5 years old has spina bifida and fluid on the brain and consequently has had several operations in her short life and remains in hospital right now. She is amazing and is always smiling, no matter what – she is the reason I run for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Within my 2021 miles this year I will be taking part in a few half marathon races, the virtual London marathon, the virtual ashby20 mile and have already completed my challenge to run 7 half marathons in 7 days!
On Saturday the 10th April I the final half marathon which took my total mileage tally up to 1000 miles for the year so far. Since the gyms closed during lockdown I have loved running more than ever. I even started a running streak at the start of the year and have run everyday, anything from 10k to 20 miles a day and even if I’m feeling a bit tired I will still get out and run a gentle 2 miles just to keep my run streak going!
You can find Louise’s fundraising page and make a donation online HERE.