Two years ago Christine Spice would have described herself as “non-sporty”.
 
In fact, so non-sporty was she that she admitted that she didn’t even like walking, let alone running.
 
But a lot has changed over the past 24 months or so for the 23-year-old, so much so that she is preparing to run her first ever marathon.
 
And it’s not just any old marathon – although running 26.2 miles anywhere is pretty impressive! – because Christine is preparing to run the London Marathon, the most iconic distance race in the world.
 
And the one-time Balcarras School pupil is confident of being ready for the big race on 28th April 2019.
 
So what has brought about Christine’s huge lifestyle change?
 
“I joined British Military Fitness,” she explained.
 
Now for those who don’t know, British Military Fitness consists of outdoor fitness classes run by ex-military people at 140 venues across the country.
 
One of those venues is at Pittville Park in Cheltenham – there are classes every day – and Christine goes along three or four times a week.
 
“I joined the club two years ago,” she said. “It’s very relaxed although the fitness instructors push you hard. There’s a lot of running involved and they give you a good, hard workout.
 
“But they never shout or tell you that you are rubbish or anything like that, they are very encouraging.”
 
And such has been Christine’s progress that she is targeting a sub five-hour run in the capital in seven months’ time.
 
“I wouldn’t call myself a runner,” said Christine, “I just run. When I think of runners, I think of people who are a lot better than me.”
 
And while there will clearly be a good number of runners who will complete the London Marathon in a faster time than Christine – she has never run further than a half-marathon – she is giving herself every chance of making a very good impression.
 
“British Military Fitness started running a Run Club on Tuesdays,” she explained. “I thought I’d give it a go because in general fitness sessions running was something I wasn’t very good at and I wanted to improve.”
 
That was 18 months ago and she certainly is improving because she has now run a good number of half-marathons.
 
“When we train, we sometimes run 10K, sometimes 5K, sometimes less,” Christine added. “The instructors are keen on building up speed and technique, it’s not all about distance.”
 
They obviously know what they are doing and Christine’s confidence in taking on the London Marathon reflects that of course.
 
What makes this race extra special for Christine is that she will be raising money for the National Trust for whom she works.
 
“This year for the first time ever, the National Trust have bought a place in the London Marathon, just one, and have chosen me to run it for them,” said Christine, who lives in Cheltenham and is doing a Masters degree at Bath Spa University.

“I will be the first woman ever to run the London Marathon for the National Trust and I am so, so grateful for the opportunity.”

Her initial target is to raise £2,000, and when she spoke to The Local Answer she was already close to £400 with many more fundraising plans in the pipeline.

And Christine certainly won’t lack for motivation because it’s clear she loves everything about the National Trust.

She’d just been offered – and accepted – a job working as a business support coordinator to the National Trust fundraising team in Swindon, and says her dream job is to work as a fundraiser for the Trust.

“I’ve been working for the Trust at Chedworth Roman Villa and for the past year I have also been working with the fundraising team as part of my Masters placement,” she said.

“Raising money through running events is brand new for them. They advertised the London Marathon place to staff and volunteers at the Trust. Sixty people applied and they chose me.”

So what was her reaction when she learned that she was the chosen one?

“Oh my god, what have I done,” she laughed.

And two of the people closest to her – mum Karen and boyfriend Tom Jacobsen – both said she was “crazy”, added Christine, still laughing.

They will of course be with her in London on the big day cheering her on along with many of her friends but Tom, who lives in Bishop’s Cleeve, has stopped short of going out on training runs with Christine even though he is a tennis coach.

“He just waves me off at the door and shouts, ‘Go Crissy, go’,” she laughed.

When the big day does arrive, Christine will at least have some idea of what to expect.

“I’d watched it briefly on the TV but this year I volunteered as a charity supporter for the Dogs Trust at the London Marathon,” she said.

“Even as a spectator the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone I have spoken to who has run the London Marathon says the crowd gets them through. To be part of that will be amazing.”

To support Christine, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CrissySpice