Ally Lewis from Southeast London is running the 2025 London Marathon for Scoliosis Support & Research. Everything was going according to plan until a dreaded knee injury, leading to the first of many visits to her local physiotherapist. Listen as Ally tells us how she dealing with this setback and the amazing story of her nephew who is inspiring her journey.

If you'd like to follow in Ally's footsteps and run your next event for Scoliosis Support & Research, or you're interested in one of the charity's London Marathon entries, email Will [email protected]. Thank you.

To find out more about Scoliosis head to https://ssr.org.uk

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords running, marathon, scoliosis, charity, training, mental resilience, fundraising, injury recovery, motivation, personal story Summary In this episode of the Runner Stories podcast, Tim Rogers speaks with Ally, who is training for the London Marathon to raise funds for Scoliosis Support and Research. Ally shares her nephew's inspiring journey with scoliosis and the surgeries he has undergone, which motivate her to run. She discusses her training challenges, including a knee injury, and the mental resilience required to push through. The conversation also touches on fundraising efforts and the importance of sharing personal stories to connect with potential donors. Ally emphasises the need to stay focused on her goals and the support she receives from her family and friends. Takeaways

• Ally's motivation for running stems from her nephew's battle with scoliosis.
• Training for a marathon can be a roller coaster of emotions and physical challenges.
• Injuries can be frustrating, but they teach valuable lessons about patience and self-care.
• Mental resilience is crucial in both running and life challenges.
• Fundraising for a cause adds a deeper meaning to the marathon experience.
• Sharing personal stories can resonate with potential donors and encourage support.
• It's important to document the journey, including struggles and triumphs.
• Finding joy in running can be achieved by mixing up routes and focusing on the experience.
• Proper footwear and injury prevention strategies are essential for runners.
• Staying focused on personal goals is key, regardless of others' progress.

Sound Bites

• "He's like the strongest person I know."
• "Training's been a roller coaster."
• "I would absolutely ice it every day."
• "I feel like I have to outsmart my brain."
• "I think it just hits home a bit."

Chapters 00:00 Ally's Inspiring Journey: Running for a Cause 01:45 Training Trials: Overcoming Injuries and Setbacks 10:32 Mental Resilience: The Power of Motivation in Running 12:36 Fundraising Efforts: The Importance of Sharing Stories 24:02 Looking Ahead: Plans for Training and Fundraising