Donna Lloyd is a pretty impressive lady.

Less than three months after giving birth to her first child, the 35-year-old will take part in the Forest of Dean Spring Half Marathon.

And if you think that’s pretty impressive, there’s more to come.

Because a month later, on Sunday 22nd April, she’ll be lining up for the start of the London Marathon.

“I had a baby by caesarean on 21st December and then started my training – tentatively! – six weeks later, which gives me 11 weeks to train for London,” said Donna.

“I am aware that I’m totally bonkers although I trained during pregnancy up to around eight weeks before I had our baby, so was hoping that my fitness levels would just be a little sleepy instead of completely hibernating!”

Baby Imogen and dad Scott Albon will be cheering on Donna in London and while Imogen won’t have any memories of the day itself when she’s older, it won’t be too long before she becomes aware of mum’s love of all things running.

“I ran the Forest 5K in September,” laughed Donna, “and when I finished I was presented with two medals – one for me and one for the baby!

“I was 26 weeks’ pregnant and I was first in the female veteran 35 category.”

Running is clearly something Donna loves doing, and she’s been running for fun for well over 20 years, having started when she was a pupil at Dene Magna School when she was 11.

“I used to do cross-country,” said Donna, who was born in Longhope and now lives in Coleford.

“I used to run everywhere. I used to run to my childhood best friend Anna Whitworth’s home and run back again.

“She used to say to me that when you grow up you can’t run everywhere, and I remember saying to her that if that was the case I didn’t want to grow up!”

These days Donna is a pretty experienced runner.

“I’ve done the London Marathon twice before but never managed to bag a ballot place,” said Donna. “Both times I ran for different charities and raised the large amounts required in order to have the place.

“Last year I was fortunate enough to get my first ballot place after seven years of trying but had to defer it because of the pregnancy and as you can only defer it once, this year I had to do it!”

Her fastest time is four hours 25 minutes and she added: “I’m hoping to beat that but that might be pushing it a bit. Somebody told me that I could walk it but I told them not to be silly, if I’m going to do it I’m going to run it.

“I'm terribly competitive against myself and always want to do better.”

And Donna, who is an unaffiliated runner, isn’t just running the London Marathon for herself.

“I’ve decided to make the most of how mad my decision to run is by raising money for two local charities,” she said. “The first is the Great Oaks Hospice. My grandma passed away before Christmas and unfortunately was too sick to make the transfer to the hospice.

“The second is the Children’s Opportunity Centre who deal with children with learning disabilities. Both are very worthy causes.”

Before the London, there is the small matter of the Forest of Dean Half, of course, which takes place on Sunday 18th March.

Donna has a best half marathon time of one hour, 45 minutes, so will be hoping to go somewhere near that two weeks on Sunday.

And when she’s run that race, and the London, she still won’t be able to put her feet up.

“To add to the pressure of the training, the new baby, and raising money, I also decided to organise a charity gala dinner at Forest Hills Golf Club on 5th May in aid of my efforts and to hopefully raise more funds for both charities,” said Donna, a medical sales rep.

So, how’s the training going?

“Last week I did my longest run, which was nine miles and only my fifth run of the season,” said Donna. “I’ve got a way to go but it’s fine!”

Supporting her every step of the way will be her partner Scott, the deputy headmaster at Barnwood Park School who plays football for County League team Broadwell Amateurs where he is also assistant manager.

“He says Imogen is going to be a footballer, but I think she’ll be a runner,” chuckled Donna.