A REDDITCH woman is lacing up her running shoes to take part in this year’s Birmingham International Marathon – just 18 months after doing a Couch to 5k course.
Mum of two Lisa Stoll will be running in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society in honour of her dad.
“My Dad, my hero, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2009,” she said.
“I was always a Daddy’s girl and it breaks my heart now that he doesn’t know who I am. He no longer recognises me, my sister, his grandchildren and my mom who visits every day.
“He can’t feed himself, walk or talk. This is such a cruel disease and there is no cure.”
And while the target is to raise money for the charity, Lisa admits taking up running has transformed her.
“Before I did Couch to 5k the most exercise I did was to walk to the car,” said Lisa, who who works part time at the Redditch Standard.
“It’s benefited my health, and though I’m still over weight and to look at me you wouldn’t think I was a runner, my body shape has changed and so has my mindset.
“I’m just in a much more positive place,” said Lisa, who now runs with the Kingfisher Harriers and is a regular at the Arrow Valley Park Run.
Husband Ollie has also stepped up to the mark, supporting her and taking care of their children; Lucy, aged three, and Gracie, six, who now does the junior park run.
“I couldn’t do it without Ollie, while the children are enthusiastic because they love my medals!” said Lisa, aged 38.
However she still can’t work out how on earth she managed to find herself doing the marathon.
“I did the Birmingham half marathon last year and that gave me automatic entry to the full marathon this year, and I thought, why not?” she said.
To support Lisa’s efforts at the event on Sunday, October 15, visit her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/l-stoll1
