I'm going to run the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2019 with my guide runner, Sarah.

Sarah ran the marathon in 2018 but this is my first time doing something like this. 

I've lived in Liverpool for just over a year and a half and have been running for about the same amount of time.

Mencap Liverpool has helped me join local running groups and take part in activities. I'm the happiest I've ever been here, and I'm keeping my brain busy. Without them I think I'd just sit at home!

Training

Usually I like training, but sometimes it's hard to get out of bed on Saturday to do it. Sarah says the same thing too, but we don't want to let each other down.

Sarah has said that being responsible for me and getting me round keeps her going even if the weather is horrible. For me I just think about the marathon and that keeps me going. I know all the training will pay off on the big day.

Sarah and I did the Liverpool Half Marathon on a wet and windy day last month. It was so hard I almost couldn't walk when we finished. Sarah was there to give me a piggyback afterwards, but she had to give up after 100 metres because her legs went to sleep as well!

She says things like "Come on Megs, we can do this!" when we're running. She helps me with my pacing and when to eat energy gels as well as when take on water and how much to drink.

I say things to her too when we're running. When the weather was awful during the Liverpool Half I said "Come on Sarah, let's show this wind!"

Motivation

Sarah keeps motivating me, so does my Mum, and so does Strava. You can see how your run went straight away. Even after training runs, my Mum wants to see the split times!

Getting personal bests make me happy. Sarah says getting personal bests are like beating yourself and being the best that you can be.

Sarah is the chief executive of Mencap Liverpool - though I thought she was a volunteer for ages, which my Mum still teases me about - so knows that fundraising is important to continue activities like running for people with a learning disability . 

If there isn't enough money no one would be able to do the activities that they enjoy doing.

Sarah and I want to show everyone what people with a learning disability can do. People have said to me all the things I can't do, so I want to show them if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.

Other people with a learning disability have contacted me to ask about my running and how they can start too! 

I tell them to aim for something like a 5km race first. Obviously you'll get out of breath the first time you do it, but you should keep pushing yourself.

I think running is good because you just put one foot in front of the other. I find that it clears my head and helps me work stuff out. 

I think any sport is good for your mental health because you can aim for something and work to achieving it.

Race day

I'm really looking forward to experiencing the marathon, I can't wait to take it all in. 

Sarah says that the start with all the other runners at Greenwich Park is really exciting, and running across Tower Bridge is a brilliant experience.

The Mencap cheer points will give us a boost as people wave and shout our names as we go past, which will be important for us. 

My Mum and I watch the marathon on the television every year and she's always in tears watching. I think we'll need two buckets for tears when I see my mum as I cross the finish line - we'll both be flowing!