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Bryony Shanahan

TCS London Marathon 2025

Donate to Bryony and help them hit their goal of £2000!

Oh what have I done now??? Signed up to the bloody London Marathon for #TeamStroke

In May 2024 I ran my first ever half marathon which I NEVER thought I would do... but then I thought, well, I've got to do a marathon now, right?! 

So in a moment of adrenalin/bravery/stupidity I put my name in the ballot for the London marathon and to my simultaneous joy and horror, I got a place with the amazing Stroke Association! I'm running for lots of reasons. Firstly, it helped me out of a hole in 2023... I just kept putting one step in front of the other and learnt so much and did a fair bit of needed healing too. It helps me clear my head, it gives me structure even when life is chaotic and it also shows me I'm capable of much more than I thought I was - it's all about the old head in the end. 

But more importantly, I'm running to raise money for the Stroke Association. I've lost 3 lovely and kind Grandparents to strokes - my wonderful Grandad many, many years ago, my brilliant Grandma 10 years ago and my gorgeous Nan in the pandemic. This was especially awful as we couldn't be with her in the last moments of her life. 

But not too long ago, a really young family member also suffered a stroke. They were able to get excellent care, but it shows that this can happen at any age, and since then, I have become more and more aware of other people experiencing similar situations leading either to loss of life, or life changing consequences. So that's my motivation. Not going to lie - 5.30am alarm clocks to run in the cold and ice and rain in Salford is not the most fun thought, but I'm doing it. For them and for me. 

I know things are tough right now, but I'd be grateful for literally any support. A penny, a share, a nod of encouragement - I'm going to need it!




I joined #TeamStroke for the TCS London Marathon 2025.

There are over 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK, with 100,000 strokes happening in the UK each year. That's one stroke every five minutes.

We're here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke, so we work with the stroke community to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support. We rely on your support to provide vital services, campaign for better stroke care and fund research into preventative and rehabilitative treatments.

Please help me reach my goal

Raised

£1,948 + £298 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,000

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My Achievements

Fundraising page set up

Added a profile pic

Made a donation

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Hit first milestone

Hit second milestone

Reached 50% of target

Hit final milestone

Reached fundraising target

My updates

PROGRESS

Saturday 1st Mar
Ok, I think I've made it through the winter... hopefully no icey surprises coming our way...

Generally it's all been ok. The big freeze was a bit tough and I was slipping and sliding all over the place for a few runs which is more tiring than I'd realised. It took me a little while to get "the click" again for the first few months. Basically every run I really had to battle that thought in my head that I wanted to stop and also freaking out that I wouldn't be able to do the marathon - when you think of the marathon it can be pretty overwhelming. But eventually, "the click" came - for me that's when I start just accepting the situation I'm in and when even if it's hurting, I have this inner feeling and confidence that I don't need to quit, that I can endure however uncomfortable it is. I also started worrying less about the marathon itself - just trusting the process and knowing that as long as I follow the plan, get all my runs in, I'll get there and hopefully have a bit more in the tank on the day from the crowds, the event, the other runners and thinking of all the amazing people that have donated. And above all, remembering why I'm doing this and who for. Someone also pointed out to me that there is a really simple switch of mindset - instead of focusing on it being really hard and hurting, focus on the fact my body is letting me do this now despite it being uncomfortable. And it's true - 18 months ago I couldn't run 1km and so I can't take for granted that I'm now running nearly 40km a week. 

The hardest thing for me has been trying to fit in all my runs around work. I am working away lots this year, and have also had a couple of trips to Germany, and so have found myself running in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stroud, London, Hamburg, Munich and of course my beloved Salford. I really like knowing where I'm going and what the route is like - in Salford I boringly pretty much do exactly the same routes, and I know what each tree means in terms of distance. Lots of people would find this really dull, but I love the routine and familiarity of it. So it's been stressful at times trying to plot out runs in new places - if I don't know the route, what if it suddenly gets really hilly and I've given too much at the beginning, what if I get lost, what if there's loads of traffic etc etc etc. But like in lots of other ways with running, it's teaching me to move out of my comfort zone and confront these things that make me feel anxious, as well as realise them in the first place. I really hadn't realised how much I don't like change... especially as my job requires me to change and adapt all the time. But yeah, this has showed up loud and clear! I also feel really lucky that when I'm in a new place, I get to properly explore it in a really different way than driving around or even walking. 

We were in Hamberg recently, and I ran 17.5km early on the Sunday and saw SO much pretty quickly. Also... EVERYONE RUNS IN HAMBERG ON A SUNDAY!!! Me and the rest of the city were shuffling round this beautiful lake - it felt a bit like a race and because I always run on my own (another thing I realise causes me anxiety is doing it with anyone else!) it was actually good practice to have lots of other people about. 

Last week was tough because I got Covid - it's still a thing apparently. I just wanted to push through but in the end gave myself about 4 days of rest so it didn't get worse. And I'm back up and running. 

Not really sure who I'm writing to to be honest, don't know if anyone will read this, but hmmm, it's nice to reflect!

Thanks so much for anyone who has donated, shared or even wished me good luck for advice. It's very lovely seeing 
how many brilliant people are in my life - and that's another thing this running adventure is showing me!



Thank you to my sponsors

£200

Shaz D-b

Good luck with the run Bryony and thank you for doing this. 🙏🏾

£110

Actors In Manchester Workshop

£106

Phil And Claire Shanahan

We really proud that you’re putting in so much effort for such an important cause. With lots of love from mum and dad XXX ❤️

£58.30

Alexandra Faye Braithwaite

Love you

£53.32

Fiona Tinto

Good luck Bryony!!!

£53

Sarah Frankcom

Go Bry - thank you for doing this. Sending love Sarah and Helena xx

£53

Libby And Nev

Good luck Bry - a worthy cause x

£53

Sarah Hazelgrove

Go B! You’ve got this ! Well done Queenie xx

£53

£53

Debra

Good Luck Bryony!!!

£53

Graham Tinto

Well done Bryony for enabling Trouble in Spiritland as a theatre piece Sorry we didn’t meet at that time . All the best for your Run. Graham and Barbara.

£53

Paul Tinto

Go Bry!!! 💪💪💪

£53

Charlie

I believe in you Shanahan! xxx

£53

Diana, Brian And Emily Schwieger

Great cause, well sone for taking on this challenge. Hope you enjoy the expereince and we’ll be cheering you on.

£50

K, K & D

Great cause - Kip says 'RUN' xx

£50

Dan Usztan

Sending lots of love for this - a cause that means a lot to my family x

£50

Kirsten Foster

All strength to you! This is amazing - and you'll be making your grandparents proud xxx

£50

Anna Hunscott

One foot in front of the other pal! So proud of you xxx

£50

Galps And Ro Xxx

RUN BRY RUN! We love you so much!!

£30

Emma Cook

Go on lass!! 💪🏼 xxx

£30

Kat Mchugh

Big love icon! X

£27.05

Colin Sinclair

Besr of luck.

£26.50

Ju And Kersh

Run, Bryony, run! May the wind be at yer heels! X

£26.50

Aly Spiro

£26.50

Shaun

£26.50

Alexandra Faye Braithwaite

Can I borrow £25? :) love you xxx

£26.50

Tina Chiang

So brilliant that you’re doing this! xx

£26.50

Martin Green

£25

Peter Mck

Happy running, Bryony! X

£21.36

Jim English

Bryony thanks so much for hosting a workshop for us all in aid of this wonderful charity. Good luck with the run.

£21.20

Zoe

SMASH IT BRY!!! Bring on the warmer and less dark mornings……I saw a hat with a headtorch on it the other day and wondered who on earth would need that, turns out, YOU!!!!!

£20

Rhi Blundell

Bloody legend 🧡 x

£20

Lisa Hood

£20

Patrick

COMEEE ON GYAALLLLL 💪🏼

£20

Sam And Nathan

Bry!!! You are a machine! So proud of you as indeed your Grandparents were/would be! Smash it! Love you Bry! Love Sam and Nathan xxxxx

£20

Julie Pigott

I’m sure you will do amazing Bryony . This is also a cause very close to my heart. Lots of luck and love Julie x

£11.33

Piers Black

£11.33

£11.33

Nancy Loftus

GOOD LUCK

£10.60

Chloe-ann

Love you bry! Smash its back doors in!

£10.60

Karina Karacimova

I’m proud of you !

£10.60

Lucie Barât

£10.60

Sarah & Jenny

Go go legend!

£10.60

Gemma Thornton

Lovely to meet you yesterday Bryony! What a great challenge for a super important cause! Go do a marathon!

£10.60

Mike Braithwaite

£10.60

Ashleigh Braithwaite

Go bry ! Your amazing

£10.60

Jodie Taylor

Not long left to go! I’ll forever support your dreams, love you millions :) xx

£10.60

Linzi

Go Bry! You got this 💪 Xx

£10.60

Jayne Goddard

Go Bry! You will smash this xx

£10.60

Rob Tanner

Good luck!!! Rob and Jayne Tanner

£10.60

Holly Burton

Bry! I know you'll smash it!! Sending masses amount of love and luck your way! Pom xxx

£10.60

Rachel Austin

Go onnnnn Bry! Love, Rach, Amy, Arthur and Stan xx

£10.60

Emma Powell (barclay)

You’re amazing. Run like the wind! Well done you!!!

£10.60

Mark Distin Webster

£10.60

Jane Hoyes

Great cause and thank you for going the extra miles !

£10

Siân A

Good luck Bryony!! Stroke Association are a brilliant charity and I wish you all the best for your run!! X

£10

Margaret Braithwaite

Good luck briony xx

£10

Angela Bravefair

Good luck bryony.x

£10

Haroun Al Jeddal

£5.30

Alanna Mitchell

£5.30

Rupert Taylor

GO AUNTY BRY GO! - So proud of you and your running, good luck! X

£5.30

Thea Beyleveld

£5.30

Paul & Ayoka Rimmer

AMAZING effort, every best wish!

£5.30

Holly Aston

Rock it Wriggler! Wishing you all the sweat and best! Love, Holly

£5

James Goodall

£5

Natalie Hamer

Good on you Bryony! Right behind you lady - keep going! And in the words of my dear Dad as I set off for the Great North run before I developed my disabling pain condition, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"