In the next 40 days, I’ll be continuing my training for the London Marathon 2025. I know, I have to read that back twice just to let it sink in. When you receive a donation link from someone pushing their limits, it’s only fair to share their story. So here’s mine.
My running journey didn’t come from a health scare or an epiphany. It started as a simple lunchtime idea during the pandemic with a few work friends. We thought, Why not try Couch to 5K? Running that first ever 5km was so much harder than I expected but it was exhilarating. I loved that it was you vs. you. Only I could push myself to get better. So, I stuck with it, running a couple of times a week. That is, until I fell pregnant with my third baby and running took a back seat.
After my son was born, running became my escape. It gave me peace in the chaos of life and became a space for me to breathe, think and be myself. Gradually, I got back into it, running whenever I needed to clear my head. Then came 2024, a year of big milestones. My friend Zahra convinced me to take on two half marathons. They were tough and I doubted myself at times but crossing those finish lines felt absolutely incredible!!
Now, with less than 40 days to go, I’m facing my biggest challenge yet:
A FULL Marathon.
THE actual ICONIC London Marathon.
42 kilometres.
26.2 miles.
Honestly, the distance still feels impossible to fathom, but I’m determined to give it my all.
People ask me why I’m running. It’s not just about pushing myself to the limit or raising money for a great cause. The real reason? My eldest, my one and only daughter. Aasiya, this is for you. To show you and anyone else who needs to hear it, that we are capable of doing hard things. Girls can achieve anything!
Training has taught me that mental strength is just as vital as physical endurance. It’s about showing up when you don’t want to—over and over again, especially in Ramadan. And as my husband always says, sometimes in life, you have to push beyond your comfort zone.
As a teacher, this cause is deeply personal to me. I’m running to raise funds for underprivileged students in Kigoma, Tanzania. My marathon journey here in London will transform lives in Kigoma, lives that will, in turn, impact families and future generations, InshaAllah (God Willing)
I’m asking for your support to help change the future of at least one student. My target will cover the full cost to complete one year of their secondary education. The more I can raise, the more lives WE can change. With your support, WE can provide them with the tools they need to build a better life.
Lastly, not only is my goal to change children’s lives in Kigoma but I also want to inspire each and every one of you reading this story. If even one of you pushes yourself beyond what you thought was possible, then it’s worth it. So what if you decided you could do hard things too? What if you stopped waiting to feel ready and just went for it? Be BOLD. Do the thing that scares you. Step outside your comfort zone. Because you are so much stronger than you think!
Thank you for taking time to read my story and believing in this cause and above ALL, helping me turn this challenge into something bigger than myself!
