I’ve been a casual runner for about ten years now. I wasn’t sporty at all growing up but after university I realised how much running helped my mental health. The furthest I’d ever run before the Ironman was a half marathon so I wouldn’t say I’m an endurance athlete. Swimming and cycling were completely new to me - my swimming experience was mostly limited to holiday pools and I didn’t even own a bike when I signed up. My “training base” was basically Lime bikes around London!

I knew I wanted to raise money for a charity that had supported my mum after her Spinal Cord Injury. Aspire was one of the charities that played a part in her recovery and I wanted to do something that could give back in a meaningful way.

I also wanted a challenge that would push me outside my comfort zone. I’d never done anything close to an Ironman before but it felt like a good mix of purpose and personal growth.  When I signed up, I hadn’t even done a triathlon before so it was a bit of a jump in the deep end.

My enjoyment of each of swimming, cycling and running changed all the time - I went through love/hate phases with each one. Cycling taught me patience (there’s no rushing a five hour ride), swimming became almost meditative once I learned to focus on my breath, and running always feels grounding once you get into a rhythm. If I had to pick one, I’d probably say swimming I enjoyed swimming the most - maybe because it was the most peaceful…or maybe because the sessions were the shortest!

I struggled most with cycling. The long rides were mentally tough - some of my training sessions were over 100km which is about five hours alone on a bike. It’s a lot of time to be with your own thoughts (and your tired legs). Living in London didn’t help either - there aren’t exactly scenic training routes so I spent countless hours looping round and round Regent’s Park. It drove me slightly mad. But on race day, the bike leg was actually my favourite - being out in the countryside made it feel completely different.

The day itself went much better than I expected! My goal was simply to finish within the time limit - around eight hours - but I ended up completing it in just over six. I’d trained for eight months so crossing that finish line was pretty emotional. I had so many family and friends there, running around the course to catch me and cheer me on. It made me realise how powerful support is and it really helped me push through some of the tougher moments on the day.

It meant a lot to me to do the Weymouth Ironman, for a few reasons. Firstly, it was a way to give back to Aspire after everything they’d done for my mum. Her accident was one of the hardest things our family has ever been through and raising money for Aspire made something positive come from a really painful time.

Secondly, it was personal. The last few years have been tough for me too and training for the Ironman became a way to rebuild confidence and remind myself that I can do hard things.

I was delighted to raise £5,080.  Social media definitely helped. I shared updates about my training and explained why I was doing it - the story behind it and how Aspire had supported my mum. I think people connected with that, whether because they knew and loved my mum, were moved by the story or were simply impressed by the hours of training that went into it.

My mum

In 2023, my mum was in a serious car accident while on holiday with a friend. She sustained a severe Spinal Cord Injury and for a while we didn’t know if she’d ever be able to breathe, walk or move independently again. Before the accident, she was always on the move and had an incredible drive for life. True to form, she’s faced recovery with that same determination. Thanks to brilliant medical care, Aspire’s support and a huge amount of grit, she’s making a remarkable recovery. Seeing her journey has really changed the way I think about our bodies and how easy it is to take movement for granted. That’s what inspired me to support Aspire - they help people rebuild their independence after spinal injury which I now understand is absolutely life changing.

While my mum was in hospital at Stanmore, Aspire was a real presence. They gave a talk to patients early on which helped her understand what kind of support was available and what life after hospital might look like. The gym at the hospital was the Aspire Leisure Centre and she used it regularly for physio and recovery sessions. They run classes specifically for Stanmore patients as well as sessions for people with disabilities more broadly. She also still receives Aspire’s monthly newsletter which is full of stories, advice and updates that help her feel supported.

If you’re thinking about fundraising for Aspire, or any charity for that matter, and you’re considering doing something physical, go for it. It’s an incredible way to give back but it’s also a chance to challenge yourself and discover what you’re capable of.

Sponsor Jess