Diary of a fun-runner

I always try to do my bit for charity; give at collections, buy raffle tickets and spend all my money on tombola’s. But, I have never pushed myself for a charity before… until now!

After a very successful 8 mile stride for Breast Cancer Awareness in October, with my netball girls, and gathering £1500 in sponsorship, I thought it was time for the next challenge.

I think it was the feeling of the medal around my neck and knowing that I was helping a great cause that spurred me on. So, as soon as my friend Claire suggested the 5km Santa fun run in support of the Air Ambulance I jumped at the chance. My parents are both volunteers for the Air Ambulance and they do so much work, without funding or support from the government.

With passion and friends behind me, what more did I need! Oh yeah, to be able to run! Here is the predicament, I am generally fit, I play netball twice a week and I am an avid squash player but none of those things need me to continually be moving for over 3 mins. So, with only three weeks to go, the pressure is on!

Week one, I take advantage of the office gym and with my iPod at the ready I hit the treadmill. Nervous, because I have never actually been on one before, I feel a fool looking at myself in the mirror doing a weird walk/jog hybrid move that, I swear, gives the whole gym a humorous distraction! Trying to stop my bum from wiggling, whilst concentrating on my footwork is so hard!! But… I am determined. So I notch up the speed and I am running! YAY! 5 mins go past and I am ecstatic… I jog for another 5 and then try running again… 3 mins in and I am so bored! My music seems mundane, there is nowhere to look except at my feet or the mirror and my motivation has gone!

I get off and head to the showers! Shame!

The next couple of days I try and go back to the treadmill, but the same thing happens, why can’t I enjoy it – how do the others stay on so long?! Maybe the confines of the Gym aren’t for me.

I arrange with a girlfriend to go for a run before netball, but it’s a cold night and she has never run before either. Within minutes my throat is so sore, the tissue I brought is soggy and my friend has a stitch!! With only two more weeks to go I am already feeling the pressure but, perseverance is the key… and back to the Gym I go…

To be continued….