About Me

Let me introduce myself .. Hi, I’m Joanna and I write and run this site

This blog originally started to help chart my progress from novice to marathon runner and my ultimate goal… to run the London Marathon (completed in 2010)

Along the way, something extraordinary happened … I found a whole new bunch of friends who are not only equally passionate about running but do the most amazing fundraising to support charities all over the world.

‘Just One More Mile’ is dedicated to the millions of runners out there, pounding the streets in snow, hail, rain, wind and sunshine in order to run marathons and raise money to help others.

Perhaps you’d like to run a marathon?  You’re in good company – here you’ll find lots of information, training tips, advice and personal stories.  This is a place for anyone who has thought they might be a runner – whether you’re an ultra runner or a newbie who has never entered a race (yet) …

Everyone’s welcome!

Subscribe to ‘Just One More Mile’ .. It’s quick, easy and free!

Here’s some stuff about me…

you know.. so you know I’m real

I am a Freelance Writer and Journalist. I write for a variety of media around the world including newspapers, magazines, trade journals, newsletters, blogs and websites. I provide clear, concise copy after meticulous research. I’m passionate about providing interesting, thought provoking and entertaining features and articles. I design, run and write for numerous blogs covering a wide variety of topics and interest areas. I devise and maintain social media campaigns for individuals and companies.  Want to know more about what I do or have a project in mind?  Get in touch here

Born January 31st 19..ahem-cough-splutter which makes me Aquarian – arty, eccentric, intelligent, left-handed and.. modest

I love music and art – I can play a whole host of instruments, some even sound reasonable! I studied music for a bit and play Piano, Saxophone, Tenor Horn, Euphonium, Trumpet and Cornet.  I’ve been lucky enough to play a beautiful Harpsichord and a very old Clavichord.  I own a red lacquered Marlin acoustic guitar and play often.

As a child I had Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) In my teenage years I had to wear a back & neck brace.  I definitely wasn’t sporty back then!  The closest I got to being on the school Netball team was holding the first aid box and handing out orange slices at half time!

Getting my name wrong really, really irritates me: I’m JOANNA with an ‘A’ at the end...DEFINITELY not ‘JOANNE’ with an ‘E’..other names I’ve been called but won’t answer to include:  Johanna, Joan, Jean, Jo-anne, Janna, Joanie, Joe, Joey, JoAnne, in fact there are only a handful of people that can get away with calling me ‘Jo’ or ‘JoJo’…so for the record, it’s Joanna…and if you really can’t remember ‘Darling‘ will do

Music I listen to when running: (I like it LOUD!)
Brief selection: Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontagne, Madness, Nickelback, Lily Allen, Republica, Robbie Williams, Pink, Green Day, ZZ Top, Talking Heads, U2, Marc Cohn, Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim, Amy Winehouse, Paloma Faith, Pixie Lott, Lady Gaga, Chris Daughtry, Scouting for Girls, Muse, Guns N’ Roses, Coldplay, Queen and E.L.O.

I love fast cars!
I love to drive fast and I adore beautiful cars.  One day I’d like to try out a track day… I drive something sporty and German.

I sing Country Music & would like to thank my friends from Texas & Nashville for their continued education in this area: Eagles (first memory of Hotel California was at the Lido in Hampton), Garth Brooks (if you’re in my car you have to sing with Garth), Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Alison Krauss… I grew up with John Denver and ‘Grandma’s Feather Bed’!!

I can dance… but I’m actually very shy!  Took Ballroom & Latin dance lessons…and yes, I have the certificates to prove it!  I think Hip Hop is cool and adore the phenomena of FlashMob.  I once owned a pair of tap shoes.

I always wanted to be a doctor: I’m great in a crisis (it’s a control thing!)  I’ve given the ‘kiss of life’, ’CPR’ and helped calm a disturbed passenger on a Flight to Germany..oh and I didn’t bat an eyelid when a pregnant neighbour went into labour and was booked for a water birth and needed help!!

Comedy features prominently in my life .. intentional or otherwise!  ..hence my Twitter handle @Mysitcomlife

I’m terrified of heights: Even escalators in department stores scare me – my children, of course, find this hilarious!

I’m a Geek: I’ve been fooling around with the internet longer than most people I know.  I’m fascinated by technology and gadgets.

I’ve had my 15 minutes of fame and I’m now hoping for a repeat performance
I was a Model in London in the 80′s and 90′s and was interviewed on breakfast/morning TV and late night chat shows.

Favourite colour: Pink

Favourite perfume: Chanel No.5 – always wear it, night or day, nothing suits me better

Best films ever: High Society (great music, great guys & Grace Kelly), Zulu, The Great Escape..just brilliant, Truly Madly Deeply (Alan Rickman’s voice is delicious), All The President’s Men, Reversal of Fortune (I clearly have a thing for distinctive voices – Jeremy Irons is fantastic in this), Brideshead Revisited (not sure it’s technically a film but Jeremy Irons features again!), JFK, Breakfast at Tiffanys (Audrey Hepburn, wonderful), Chicago, Kind Hearts and Coronets

Favourite Flower: I adore Roses – very English, I know

Oh yes… and I love long distance running!