Post-first half-marathon post

I ran a half-marathon on Sunday and didn’t ask for any donations to a charity of because the stream of people taking on some sort of sporting feat to raise money seems never-ending. On my social media, anyway.

But it would still be amazing if anyone would like to read what I have to say about BEAT and maybe then give an amount of your choosing via this link.

I started training in September. I’ve done a fair amount of running this year as a whole, but my eating disorder meant that I had to put it all on hold for about three months. I wasn’t sure whether I’d end up running the half after this hiatus.

Running it in the end, faster than I’d expected, feeling strong and properly nourished was more than I could have hoped for. I am so, so grateful to my dietitian and Mark my boyfriend for giving me the advice I needed to get out there and run my longest ever distance.

Here’s to the Oxford half next month, and many more in the future. I feel the most optimistic about my relationship with food and exercise that I have for about 18 months, and that is something which I value above most other things.

Not everyone has the privilege of private therapy (and for that I am grateful too to my parents), so donations to BEAT, whose services have been more in demand than ever during the pandemic, would mean very much to me indeed.

I didn’t want to make this a big deal, or make anyone feel any pressure to donate, so it’s as much as you wish, if you wish. But I know it will help fund eating disorder helplines and support groups, among other life-changing services.

Thank you so much xxx