Our runners tell their story…

Two brave runners, Mandy Blair, from Moreton-in-the Marsh, and Lindsey Anderson, from Ettington, both took on major running challenges earlier this year, to raise money for Shipston Home Nursing. Our runners tell their story…

Mandy Blair

Mandy ran the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon 2021 which was a chance for runners to run 26.2 miles their run, their way. It gave participants the opportunity to take on the world’s greatest marathon on the course of their choice wherever they are on the planet.

Mandy said: “Firstly, I would say thank you for the opportunity of running the marathon – I would never have thought I was capable of doing it!

After a short minor injury to my ankle, I decided to follow a 17-week training plan and was determined not to deviate from it. Up to up two weeks before running it, I still didn’t quite believe I could complete the marathon! However, I managed a 20-mile run, and although it was tough, it was the first time, I started to believe in myself.

The following two weeks were extremely tough due to the passing of my Mum. However, as I was in rest mode, so it didn’t impact my training too badly.

Keep calm and run!

On race day I was extremely calm and set of early to complete the first few laps on my own. On the third lap, I was joined by my neighbour Karen, who said she would run a few laps with me. She actually completed a half marathon. Her husband, Richard, also donned his running kit to come and join me and his wife, Karen. We were also joined by Connor, a serious runner who continued another few laps with me. Once he’d finished, I only had 1.5 laps left. Stephen, who had been on the support bike the whole time, stayed with me to the end. On my final half lap, I was supported by another friend, Jo, and she ran the final section home with me. All the support I received was rather overwhelming and tiredness didn’t really kick in until the last few laps.

I still don’t consider myself as a runner, but I’m amazed that my old body did it!”

Lindsey Anderson

Lindsey Anderson, from Ettington, ran the Virgin Money London Marathon 2021. Lindsey ran the 26.2 miles, along with 50,000 other participants, from Blackheath in Greenwich to the finish line at The Mall.

Lindsey said: “Running is a fairly new sport to me; I started at the beginning of last year by joining some friends who were training for the 2020 London Marathon. I ran with them and completed a half marathon in early March last year. My friends suggested I try for a place on the London Marathon. So, I decided Shipston Home Nursing’s charity place was the way to go. It would give me a massive incentive to keep training and raise funds for a charity who needs funds now more than ever.”

“You don’t have to be fast, but train hard and it can be done!”

“The marathon was an amazing experience, the support from people on the route was encouraging and uplifting. The whole event was well organised, and I would encourage anyone to give it a go. You don’t have to be fast but train hard and it can be done!”

Mandy raised an amazing £670. Lindsey’s initial target was £3,000 but she was thrilled to reach a final total of £5,026.97. We are so grateful to both ladies for their enormous support and to everyone who donated.