Mrs Martin’s Marathon

Former Year 2 teacher Mrs Jo Martin moved to Woodbridge in Suffolk just over a year ago. Since moving, she been working as a supply teacher in the area and enjoying lots of new challenges. Her family now own a small boat and enjoy sailing when the weather is sunny and calm. Jo also has a paddle board, of which she says “is such a peaceful way to spend time on the river”.

When Jo moved, she decided she wanted to do some voluntary work, to be able to use her skills to give back to society. She has since become involved with a local charity ‘Just 42’, which provides support for young people in the form of youth groups and mentoring. She is a mentor which involves giving her time, listening to and talking through issues with a child. Jo says, “with all the difficulties of the last 18months, there are many children needing support”.

A few months ago the charity needed a runner for the London Marathon and as Jo had been running 5 km regularly, she volunteered! Taking on such a task has required a level of resilience she didn’t know she had. She had, as she approached the marathon date, managed to run 18 miles. The full marathon is 26.2 miles so Jo was hoping that the atmosphere and encouragement on the day would get her over the finish line. She said before the race, “for me, the achievement will not be a fast time but staying the course to the end – a value that I always tried to encourage in children I have taught – that completing a task/exercise is so important however difficult the process might be”.

Jo was so excited when she collected her number from the London Marathon Running Show and was feeling ready to complete the run.

The marathon was last Sunday and Jo said that it was a wonderful, exhausting experienced. She had a support team of family and friends positioned every 5 miles or so to keep her motivated. Jo managed to complete the course in about 5 hours to receive her medal which she is enormously proud of.

If you would like to find out more about the charity or support Jo’s fund raising efforts, this is the link: https://just42.echoleft.com/fundraising/london

As a side note, Jo let me know that she often things of Gayhurst, the pupils and staff. She says…