A kind-hearted Cheshire vet nurse is preparing to take on the New York Marathon to raise funds for the National Autistic Society.
Cheryl Corless, who works at Linnaeus-owned Northwest Veterinary Specialists in Sutton Weaver, Cheshire, is running this year’s marathon in NYC with husband Paul, in a bid to raise more than £2,000 for the charity.
Cheryl, 34, from Warrington, admits it’s a challenge to find the time to prepare properly but insists she’ll be cutting no corners as she readies for her big run in the Big Apple.
She said: “Sometimes you feel like the only way to combine your work and your training is not to have a life!
“I’m extremely lucky, though, because my husband Paul is a keen runner too and it’s something we do together, which is a big help.
“We’ve taken part in lots of events including major marathons like London, Manchester and the Disney Marathon in Florida plus competing in triathlons around the UK.
“We’re also members of a running club so that’s become a key part of our social life too and we really enjoy it.”
Cheryl says the pair are already stepping up their training for New York in November and a 26.2m course that starts in Staten Island, takes in the Bronx, Queens and Harlem before finishing in Central Park, Manhattan.
She added: “Nutrition is so important when you prepare for a marathon so we’re on a diet which includes plenty of vegetables, plenty of meat to provide protein for the muscles, and it’s all balanced with a good amount of carbohydrates.
“As the run becomes closer it becomes all about the carbs and that’s a chance to make sure you can include a few treats, like pizza, pasta and cake, to make sure you’ve plenty of fuel and can stay the course.”
While Cheryl’s main focus is on raising as much cash as possible for the National Autistic Society, she also admits she’ll have an eye on the clock.
“My personal best time is 3 hours 52 minutes and I’ll be looking to finish somewhere close to that or even better,” she added.
“I know I’ll be pushed on by knowing that we’re running for such a good charity which does such great work.
“The National Autistic Society is here to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.
“We know a lot of people who have family members or friends with autism and it really hit home when we researched the charity and its amazing work.
“We realised there is still so much to do to increase opportunities, reduce social isolation and build a brighter future for autistic people and that’s why we’re trying to raise as much as we possibly can.”
If you would like to support and sponsor Cheryl and Paul in their NYC challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cheryl-corless.
For more information on Northwest Veterinary Specialists, visit www.nwspecialists.com or search for Northwest Veterinary Specialists on social media.
