Holly Goodenough

One step at a time...

Running used to feel like something I was trying to force into my life, but it slowly became something I look forward to.

I’m really enjoying it at the moment, and that still feels strange to admit.

Getting myself ready for the half marathon has changed me in ways I just didn't expect. There has been such a positive shift in my mindset and everything feels lighter. I've grown in ways I didn't think were possible, and I'm stronger than I've ever been - not just physically, but mentally too. 

The biggest thing I’ve learnt about myself lately (it's simple, but it’s stuck) is that I can do hard things. Running has taught me discipline, and it's forced me to go beyond my limits and to keep raising the bar.  

With the race quickly approaching, I've been thinking a lot about my grandad. Not just him, but everyone we've sadly lost along the way. Weirdly, I don’t find it as overwhelming as I once did. I doesn't fill me with pain and heartache in the same way. If anything, it's comforting. And it's always a reminder of why I started. 

This run isn’t just about distance or time. It’s about carrying those who shaped who I am with me. It's about turning effort into something meaningful, and doing something difficult on purpose, hoping that it would make them all proud.

Right now, I feel proud too. Proud that I haven't give up when it's felt uncomfortable, proud that I've kept going, and proud that I trusted myself enough to try.

There’s still a way to go, and I’m so ready for it.

If you're able to donate, share, or even just take a moment to read this - thank you. Every conversation, every contribution and every step matters ❤️

75 DAYS TO GO!

I wanted to share a little update on how training is going, because this run has become about more than just race day.

Training has actually been really good. Alongside running, I’ve been strength training, and the difference it’s made has surprised me. I feel stronger, more capable, and my running has improved in ways I didn’t expect when I first started. There’s something quietly confidence-building about noticing progress without chasing it.

Running has given me so much headspace and time to heal. I've carried grief for such a large part of my life, and losing my grandad to suicide in 2022 has only deepened that in ways I'm still learning to understand.

Running hasn’t taken the grief away, but it’s become a place where I've found clarity. It's given me somewhere to work through my emotions without the pressure of needing to explain or rush through them. 

As the LLHM gets closer, I feel excited, a bit nervous, and genuinely proud. Proud of the work I’m putting in, proud to be running for my grandad, and proud to be running for Mental Health UK. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, or supported this so far. It really does mean a lot. I’ll keep doing the training, one run at a time, and I’m enjoying the journey way more than I expected.