The look on my face says it all - total relief and joy at the achievement!

Crossing the finish line with my new running companion, Natalie, raising our arms in triumph!

Chariots of Fire

Although it has been over 3 months since I ran the Cambridge Half Marathon we were still receiving money until quite recently. Now I am fairly sure we have it all I can make my final journal entry and say THANK YOU!!! Raising well over £1000 was always my secret hope but i didn't dare to dream it was possible. It is such a huge sense of satisfaction for me and it really does make all those hours and hours of preparation well worth it. I don't regret the decision to run a Half Marathon but i would say to anyone who thinks they want to give it a try, particularly someone like me who has zero prior running experience, only do it if you possess the magic ingredient - GRIT. It wasn't just the hours of running practise, it was also the hours in the gym doing strength and conditioning training, and the prioritising of good food and good sleep. In those last few months this pattern was my life/routine/prison/hell (you decide!) Mon night - get gym stuff ready, early to bed and sensible dinner. Tues am - gym by 7am Tues pm - wash gym kit Wed pm - get gym kit ready, early to bed and sensible dinner. Thurs am - gym by 7am Thurs pm - wash gym kit Fri pm - get running stuff ready, early to bed and sensible dinner Saturday am - Stretch, run and make sure you increase your distance, cool down. Saturday pm - wash running kit Sunday - finally and rest and maybe some naughty food and a big fat lie in - but nothing too crazy because it all start again tomorrow! This is a really monotonous routine after a few weeks. But i have to say that it was worth it because i achieved my ultimate goal - not only did i complete the Cambridge Half Marathon but I ran every mile of that course. I didn't stop once, i didn't walk any of it, I ran every bit. It took me over 3 hours and when i crossed that finish line hardly anyone was still around but in some ways it made it feel like my race. I could see my friends waving, hear my Mum and Sister shouting encouragement for the last few metres. It was blooming brilliant. It was definitely a race of two halves and i noticed, being quite slow, that the encouragement from the crowd petered out in lap two. Seeing family and friends around the course was truly uplifting. My friend's daughter Erin rollerbladed alongside me twice, my friend Rozenn cycled me too, my sister ran alongside me behind the barrier. But the extra thing I loved, that blew me away, was support from strangers. A woman in her fifties doing her shopping, stopped and shouted 'Go on Andrea, you can do it'. Totally uplifting stuff. Companionship and solidarity got me through. It was the opportunity to help others - Mia and Natalie - two women i ran with at the beginning and end of the race respectively, really got me through my own pain. It turns out that the desire to help others is my biggest strength, in addition to having a hearty helping of GRIT. It was definitely grit that gave me the umph, after 13 miles of running, to do a sprint finish in the final straight. Such an incredibly satisfying end. Considering the week before i had felt sick as a dog I am blooming proud of myself for achieving my ambition and running the Cambridge Half Marathon 2015. SO PROUD! I did it for you Daddy-O because I am not broken, you absolutely did your job properly and I am damn well doing fine. Love you Daddy-O xxxxx

You're Dad would be right - you are crazy but it makes you do great things. Reslly hope you're on the mend. You are amazing. What you have done to get this far is amazing. You just rock! Xxx

It is now only 5 days until the half marathon!!! There has been a couple of snags Snag number 1= a tight left leg that caused me some pain and worry. Luckily it is nothing serious and is now much improved. Snag number 2= as I write this I am fighting a cold :-( I have been off work for 2 days now and am a little concerned about the proximity to the big day. However, I have the most incredible support and advice and love in my corner. I am currently working my way through a huge box of organic produce which is definitely helping. My only problem now is a pesky tickley throat. I managed a 11 mile run on Sunday when this was first showing the symptoms so as long as it doesn't get worse I should be ok. Everyone keeps telling me that the crowd carries you the last 2 miles, boy do I hope that's true. As I am so close to the final hour of this monumental challenge I am reflective of the journey. There has been some really dark times, times when I honestly doubted if I had the physical energy and mental strength to pull this off. But what has spurred me on is the incredible unwavering support I have had from my family and friends. My mum and sister have been incredible. My friends that have had the patience, time and support to run with me. Rachel, Jason, Abi and especially Sikander. And my awesome cheer squad - especially Rozenn, Becky, Elaine and we'll all you gorgeous peeps! And my PT, Hannah who believed in me from the minute I whispered that fateful sentence "I think maybe I might try and do a half marathon' all those month ago. It has definitely been the hardest thing both physically and mentally this far and as long as I cross that finish line doing something resembling a run I will be one happy girl. Thank you to all the gloriously kind people who have sponsored me too. It means the world to me and this is what will get me round the course. It actually will because I intebd to print off your words of support and tuck them in my race pack to read when I need a boost! I always knew my dad was proud of me and I think he'd think I'm a little bit crazy doing this but I know he would admire the dedication it takes to get here. Here's to 13.1 miles, here's to smashing our fundraising target and here's to eating some seriously bad food as soon as possible afterwards too!!!!! Chiiiiiiiipppss!!!!

You are doing amazingly well and we are all incredibly proud of you! Run Joycey Run!

I hadn't realised quite how long it had been since I updated my blog. I have now officially registered for the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday 8th March 2015. I ran 8 miles today and I didn't feel like I was going to die either. I actually believe that with more hard work it will be possible to run 13.1 miles. One thing I know for sure is that running is definitely easier when you have some company. I've been really lucky to run with my dear friend Rach a couple of times. I have also run with our good friend Jason. And I have loved the times I have been out with my sister, who has cycled alongside me. It is definitely a bigger mental challenge than a physical one. I think I suspected it would be. It's amazing the difference a positive mindset has. I did get up to 8 miles about 6 weeks ago but then I was struck down with a horrible chest cold. It took me ages to get back up to this distance. I really need to stay germ free now so I can keep working my distance up I invested in some warmer running gear today as it was super cold today (2 degrees) and I was extremely cold! I am hopeful to get some more sponsorship before the race too.

I am in the final week of a three week run (pardon the pun) of 6 mile runs. It has got to the stage where i am having to extend my playlist on my phone. So lowlights have included the chaffing - no one warns you about the chaffing you get when you run long distances. Luckily i have discovered the joys of Elizabeth Arden EightHour Cream which seems to fend off the chaffing. I am now just living with the chaffing scars and no fresh chaffing. Procrastination is another low light. The record time for procrastinating before going for a run is 3 hours. Not exactly an effective use of time. Highlights - one of the definite highlights of running is being able to eat what you want without getting really massive. You burn some serious calories. The other highlight has been toning up, the changes in your body when you start running is only a good thing. Another part of my training has been to run my first race. The distance was only 1.7miles and it was a relay race. It was great to experience an organised event. I can completely understand the phrase 'run your own race', it is so easy to get distracted by other people. I also discovered that i hate being overtaken. I hope to get the chance to do other races before the big one. The other exciting thing that has happened is i have registered for the VIP pre-release for the Cambridge Half Marathon - it opens a week on Monday!! Eeeek! Fingers crossed i manage to get a place without any drama. Thanks for your ongoing support - 6 months to go!

I ran my first 5 mile non-stop run today, it was epic but the best bit about it was thinking i might actually be able to keep going! I had a set back in June by getting a nasty chest infection which put my training back and for about 3-4 weeks i couldn't get past 2 miles. Luckily i am back on track again. I am still really surprised that i don't hate this running lark. I have had times when the last thing i feel like doing is going out for a run - it is at these times i feel so grateful to have great support. My record procrastination time is 3 hours before finally getting my runners on and getting out there. I have also tackled two hill runs, one in Bristol with my dear friend Rachel and the other in Boscastle. Running in Bristol was definitely a challenge. I really enjoyed running with Rachel again, especially as it made me realise she was my first ever personal trainer. Running in Boscastle was just nuts! It is sooooooo hilly there. I was really proud of myself after both of these runs, especially as the Bristol run concluded with an uphill sprint finish!! I've also braved torrential rain and blistering heat on training runs too. I definitely preferred the rain, luckily. As the nights draw in and the temperature drops i will be forced to run inside which i am dreading as me and the treadmill aren't bosom buddies. I am really blessed by the support of Team Joyce and dear friends. I am going to need it as the distances increase. Thank you all. xxx

So far I have done around 10 training runs and almost each time I've improved in some way, whether that be increasing distance or increasing pace. Having the right gear really helps. Discovering Advance Performance on Huntingdon rd was a revelation. My trainers feel like they were made just for me! No blisters ever, thankfully. Support and encouragement is also really helping. My fabulous sister comes out on her bike and cycles alongside me when I run in Milton Keynes. She opens the gates for and cheers me on when I'm struggling, it really helps. Also having the best personal trainer in the world really helps, Hannah is there for me every step of the way and if she didn't have faith in me then I wouldn't believe I can do this crazy challenge! I decided in mid March I was going to do the half marathon and now it is the end of June and I can run almost 4 miles already! Just got to keep on keeping on.

What a beautiful statement! You are such a determined young woman know you will do it!