Emily Renshaw runs the London Marathon - 21 April 2024!

For those of you who don't know, I'm running the London Marathon on Sunday 21 April! Places are extremely difficult to come by, so to say I am shocked to have a place is an understatement. I feel extremely fortunate and lucky to be in this position.

From the moment I found out, I got my head into training. Training has been going well, especially for a lass who cringed seeing people running in horizontal rain... I have now joined them (and purposely been lighting up like a Blackpool illumination when running in recent dark evenings!). My excuse of being "a seasonal runner" can no longer be used!

I have always run 5K (3miles) parkruns every so often and completed some 10K (6 miles) races over the past 8/9 years. I had never run a distance further than a 10K so to get into training and aim to run longer distances has been daunting. Besides going out for runs in the evenings after work and on weekends, I ran the Preston 10 mile race in Preston late last year, as well as the Ribble Valley 10K. At the start of this year, I ran the Great North Western Fylde Half Marathon in Blackpool. It was tough but I learnt a lot about the importance of planning nutrition and fuelling during the run - what worked and what didn't. It helped me know what to work on in my future runs. Last month, I was able to run 20 miles to Bury from my house and back again. It was made more demanding with the hills which I could not avoid, living where we live! My training journey up until this point has indeed been a challenging but I am hoping it will all be worthwhile for the marathon.

You have landed at my fundraising page for raising much needed important funds for the Forbes Foundation. Whilst I have personally fund-raised for the Stroke Association already, in memory of my Nan, I wanted to show my part to help raise much needed funds for the Forbes Foundation. I have worked for Forbes Solicitors in the Training team now for over 5 years and I am very proud to work for a firm whose aim is to make a difference to those in need within our local communities. To know I am running 26.2 miles for a cause that changes lives will definitely motivate me towards the finish line (hopefully, in one piece!). I am feeling very nervous but excited for the day so any element of support will be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your contributions.