This November I will be running the New York Marathon in honour of my Mum, Fiona.
Mum, who was a personal trainer and a keen runner/cyclist, got sick at the end of 2009. It was Leukaemia but thankfully after chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant she made a full recovery.
Mum began training again just 8 months after her Leukaemia and achieved a life-long goal of hers when she completed a triathlon in 2012. She didn’t stop there though and in 2013 ran the Gold Coast marathon, also another life-long goal.
The next year we found out that the Leukaemia had returned. Sadly, there were no available treatments to save her. She lost her battle and the body that had helped her achieve so much finally had no more to give.
My mum was without doubt the strongest and most positive woman I have ever known and is still my inspiration to work harder, push myself further and achieve more than I ever thought possible.
Last year I completed an Ironman in memory of my mum and now I am very grateful for the chance to run this iconic marathon in one of my mum’s favourite cities in the world.
The NYC marathon will be my final race of the year, with 2 half Iron-distance triathlons and one full Ironman first, needless to say it'll be a busy year of training!
When I run this race I will not just be running it for her, I will be running it for every person who has suffered, is suffering or will suffer from Leukaemia, every brave soul facing that terrible battle and every friend, husband, wife, brother, daughter, nurse and doctor fighting with them.
Please donate if you can and help the Leukaemia Foundation continue its fantastic work caring for those with blood cancer and searching for the ultimate cure.