Welcome to my blog! My name is Raji, and I am thrilled to share my journey to the London Marathon 2025 with you. This isn’t just any marathon for me—it’s a mission to raise awareness and funds for Diabetes UK, a cause that is incredibly close to my heart.
Why I’m Running
I was once pre-diabetic, and with a family history of diabetes, I know firsthand the fear and uncertainty that comes with this condition. Through significant lifestyle changes and a commitment to running, I managed to turn my health around. Now, as a lifestyle mentor, I work closely with various communities, seeing firsthand how diabetes affects lives and how impactful lifestyle interventions can be. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful to witness the challenges and successes of those I mentor.
My Personal Journey
I started running in my late 40s with no background in sports and no role models in my community to look up to. It was a steep learning curve navigating the running world, but I was determined to make a change. The journey was challenging, but I am incredibly happy that I persevered. Running has transformed my life for the better, and I want to share this gift with others who might be hesitant to start their own fitness journey.
The Unique Challenge
To make this marathon even more special, I’ve decided to run it in a traditional 9-yard saree. Typically, sarees are 6 yards long, but I wanted to take on a bigger challenge to symbolize the strength and resilience required to fight diabetes. Given my small frame (I’m only 5’1″ and of small build), this will be an enormous task, but I am committed to pushing my limits to raise awareness and funds for this vital cause.
About Me and Midlife Runners CIC
I am the founder of Midlife Runners CIC, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference for individuals over 40 and 50. Our mission is to inspire and support lifestyle changes so that people can live happy, healthy lives well into their later years. Inspired by my own lived experiences, I established this organization to help others navigate the challenges of midlife with the support and motivation they need.
Our current project, Lifestyle Leap, funded by the National Lottery, focuses on the South Asian community. However, we are planning to expand this initiative to other BAME communities through funded projects and help the rest of the UK population through our trading income. I will share more about our organization and its mission in my later blogs.
What to Expect from This Blog
Over the next several months, I will be sharing my training journey, challenges, and triumphs as I prepare for the marathon. Here’s what you can expect:
- Weekly Training Updates: Insights into my training schedule, progress, and any hurdles I encounter along the way.
- Health and Nutrition Tips: Sharing the diet and lifestyle changes that have helped me manage my health and could benefit you too.
- Community Stories: Highlighting stories from various communities about their battles and victories against diabetes.
- Fundraising Efforts: Updates on fundraising milestones, events, and how you can support my mission.
- Personal Reflections: My thoughts, motivations, and reflections as I take on this unique challenge.
Join Me on This Journey
I am excited to take you along on this incredible journey. Together, we can raise awareness, inspire change, and support Diabetes UK in their mission to fight diabetes. Thank you for being here, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
