Film & TV casting assistant swaps social life for marathon training to help support families with disabled children

Monday April 1, 2019

Contact is lucky to have a wonderful team of 18 amazing runners taking part in this year's London Marathon. We are inspired and humbled by their tremendous training and fundraising efforts, and will be finding out a bit more about them in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Here Faye Timby from Blackheath in London tells us why she is running one of the most famous road races in the world, to raise money for Contact.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I can't believe I'm going to run a Marathon. I'd have laughed if you'd told me that 5 years go. I'm based in Blackheath in South East London - conveniently where the Marathon begins! I was born and raised in Hampshire and moved to London at 19 to study at an Arts College.

I've worked in the entertainment industry for just under 10 years and now work in Casting for Film & TV. I first started running in 2013 when I was training to run a Race For Life after my Auntie was diagnosed with breast cancer.   

Why did you decide to support Contact by taking part in the London Marathon?

I heard about Contact through a friend who worked with disabled teenagers and I was interested to learn more about the charity and how they support families. Someone I worked with had received a lot of support from them when their daughter (who is disabled) was young, so it felt close to home. I'm really pleased to be running for a small charity which isn't as visible and doesn't receiving enough funding as those charities that have international recognition. 

What has been the biggest challenge in your London marathon journey so far?

The biggest challenge is yet to come and that'll be reaching 22 miles which will be the furthest we run before race day. Its been super tricky trying to navigate the nutritional aspect of training such as, what gels to take, how many, when to take them... Should we try eating energy bars (this didn't work for me). I'm kinda into Jelly Babies at the moment but it means I leave them lying around and find them everywhere. In my car, my handbags, pockets etc. 

What are you most/least excited about?

I'm most excited about the feeling of crossing the finish line and how monumental that moment will be for me and also my friend Annie who is running too and who I've been training with. We've come a long way together and I think it's going to be really special and no doubt very overwhelming. I'm least looking forward to the organisational side of the day - forgetting something, getting to the right place at the right time... I think once I start running I'll (strangely) be able to relax a little but no doubt the nerves in the lead up to that will set in. It makes me slightly nervous even thinking about it now. I've had dreams already where I've woken up at 9am and I've missed the start, which is terrifying. Fortunately I've been assured that won't happen because apparently you don't get much sleep the night before!

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside running?

My training plan has been extensive which has meant my social calendar has taken a backseat! I've started swimming twice a week and I also go to strength classes to build up the muscles in my legs which will hopefully help my endurance on the big day. I see a great deal of theatre and film for work and I love exploring different parts of London which has fed into my training when it comes to finding new and interesting running routes!

To sponsor Faye donate via her fundraising page