Tess Brooker – Assistant to the Directors. SWJ Consulting

Tess’ role at SWJ Consulting is a flexible, home-based role as an assistant to the directors, which allows her to work around her young family and her passion to train for distance running. Tess commented on a recent race.

“Over the weekend I completed my first half marathon. I am running eight races of various distances in 2020 to raise money for the National Autistic Society, a charity that is very close to home. Our daughter, Kizzy, was diagnosed with autism in February 2019 at the age of 10. She finds many aspects of everyday life challenging and amazes me every day with her perseverance and bravery. The National Autistic Society is a great source of information and support for us.

The weekend was spent at the Marathon Talk (podcast) running camp in Derbyshire, which was a brilliant couple of days, including:

  • Running Bakewell parkrun (great course, fab café, hampered by hail!)
  • Coached running session (very big hill to run up!)
  • An inspirational talk from Paralympian Richard Whitehead
  • Carsington Water Trail Half Marathon

Such an inspirational talk on Saturday evening from Paralympian Richard Whitehead, who spoke about focussing on what you are able to achieve and not getting hung up on things you aren’t able to do – a great lesson for life, not just for sport.

I was pleased with my time on Sunday running the Carsington Water Trail Half Marathon after 2 hard running sessions on the Saturday and the weather conditions were not pleasant – a very windy day with, in places, ankle-deep water and challenging terrain. But this was a great training run for my marathon preparation.

My next event is Brighton Marathon on Sunday 19th April and I’m trying to raise as much as possible for the National Autistic Society to help others like Kizzy.”

For donations please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TessB3

To find out more about the National Autistic Society, visit: https://www.autism.org.uk/

“Here’s a list of the half, full and ultra marathons I’m participating in this year:

Carsington Water Half Marathon – Sunday 23rd February

Brighton Marathon – Sunday 19th April

Race to the King Ultra Marathon (52 miles) – Saturday 20th June

Race to the Tower Ultra Marathon (52 miles) – Saturday 18th July

Cosford 10k – Sunday 30th August

Royal Parks Half Marathon – Sunday 11th October

Great South Run (10 miles) – Sunday 18th October

Remembrance Half Marathon – Sunday 8th November”