Why I’m running for Shared Lives

Every stride, every heartbeat, and every drop of sweat has a purpose. As I lace up my running shoes and prepare to hit the pavement, I’m not just running for personal achievement; I’m running to support the work we do here at Shared Lives Plus.

Since I joined Shared Lives Plus in 2021 I have been endlessly inspired by Shared Lives carers across the UK. Through the ups and downs of the past years, their commitment to the individuals they support has been nothing short of remarkable.

When I meet Shared Lives carers, they often talk about how rewarding they find their role. But make no mistake, that doesn’t mean what they do is easy. Social care demands resilience, empathy, and unyielding dedication – and the people on the front lines deserve all of our support.

That’s what we do at Shared Lives Plus, and that’s what you can do by sponsoring me as I run for Shared Lives.

It’s fair to say that I haven’t always been an avid runner. If I were a car, you could reasonably describe me as being built for comfort, not for speed. But over the last few years I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of putting one foot in front of another over and over again.

There are health benefits, of course (although my knees may beg to differ), but for me it’s more about the chance to be alone with my thoughts, without many of the distractions of modern life.

Before setting myself this challenge I’d done a few 5K and 10K races – I even did an overnight walking marathon once. And I suppose I could have signed up to do a running marathon, but I wanted to do something that better reflected what Shared Lives is.

Not a big shiny one-off event, but something that symbolised the ongoing, daily, and long-term commitment which makes Shared Lives so powerful. Which is why, In 2023 I have challenged myself to run at least 100km in proper, official, timed events.

This is a challenge that requires consistency, and the willpower to pull on my running shoes come rain or shine – and there has been a lot more rain than shine this year so far.

After 8 months I’ve completed 51 km of races which means I’m a bit behind where I want to be (sadly a family bereavement meant I couldn’t do the races I had planned in June and July). But my determination remains unswayed.

As I prepare for my fourth 10K race, under the enchanting lights of Blackpool’s Illuminations, a sense of purpose propels me forward. From there, I dive into rigorous training for the Bournemouth half marathon in October, inching closer to that 100km milestone.

Blackpool and Bournemouth will take me up to 82km, so I’ve still got a couple more races to squeeze in before the end of the year. But a challenge wouldn’t be a challenge if it wasn’t challenging, would it?

Running this series of races is more than a personal challenge – it’s a call to action for you to be a part of something transformative. By sponsoring me, you become an integral part of the change we want to see in the world.

Your contribution, no matter the size, helps bring us one step closer to our vision of a kinder, stronger society built on sharing our lives and our homes.

Lydia is Running The Lights at Blackpool this weekend. Sponsor her and follow her updates on her Give as You Live page.

Support Lydia as she runs for Shared Lives