Meningitis Now: Team CG run the London Marathon
As a business, we've supported the work of Meningitis Now for over 20 years. Our Founders Caroline and Angus almost lost their youngest son to meningitis when he was 18 months old, so this cause holds a deeply personal meaning for us. This year, two superstars from team CG have chosen to run the London Marathon in October for Meningitis Now, and we asked them a few questions about their training and preparation process. Read on to meet them.
Meet Emma
Why are you running for Meningitus now, what does this charity mean to you?
Though my work at Caroline Gardner I have been working for many years with Meningitis Now. Caroline's own son, Sebastian, contracted Meningitis and thankfully survived. Others are not so lucky and so Caroline has dedicated her charity work to support Meningitis Now. Throughout my time supporting Meningitis Now's work there is one story that really touched my heart, and I will never forget. The story of Oli 💙. Oli lost his life when he was very little due to the misdiagnosis of Meningitis. As a mother, Oli's story has stayed with me, it must be impossible to come to terms with.
What does a typical week look like in training for you?
Long run and x2 short runs. So this week 12km, 15km and 30km!
How have you found the training, and have you learnt anything about yourself through the process?
I have found the longs runs really intense and finding time to get them done has been challenging. However once I have done it I can not believe my body can achieve so much!
How are you feeling about marathon day?
Scared but ready to get it over with!
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start running?
Start with small regular runs, listen to your body, don’t push yourself too much as you will end up hating running.
Meet Charlie
Charlie is our Accounts Assistant
Why are you running for Meningitis now, what does this charity mean to you?
Meningitis Now has been close to my heart for many years. When my youngest brother Sebastian was only 18 months old he contracted a rare form of Meningitis which left him close to death. My parents were told to say goodbye to him. Thankfully a passing Meningitis specialist recognised something in his symptoms and Sebastian was saved.
Since this intervention our family has sought to raise funds for the charity Meningitis Now to help more people to understand the disease and hopefully avoid the worst. Caroline Gardner Publishing Ltd has been supporting the charity for over 20 years, and I am honoured to be running on their behalf.
What does a typical week look like in training for you?
I have been aiming to run three times a week with a long run (this gets longer each week… 20 miles this weekend), an easy short run and a medium length run where I try to push the speed a little. Thankfully I have plenty of time to rest!
How have you found the training, and have you learnt anything about yourself through the process?
The training has definitely been a challenge. Trying to fit in the longer runs around a busy schedule is part of the headache and of course the distance… My legs didn’t quite know what hit them.
Weirdly the planning aspect has been most enjoyable for me. I guess that’s the accountant in me – ticking off my runs in my ‘awesome marathon spreadsheet’ has been the most nerdy yet satisfying part of my weeks.
How are you feeling about marathon day?
Now that I have covered some mileage and taken part in a few other organised races I’m feeling pretty excited about the big day. I can’t help but feel somewhat terrified still… so I guess it’s a whirlwind of emotions.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start running?
Sign up for an organised race, like a 5k or a 10k and then find a training schedule online to keep you honest. Once I mapped out the path it became much easier to walk (or run) it and then the excitement of race day makes it all worth it.
