I DID IT!

On Sunday I went to Hyde Park with about 10,000 other women to take part in the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge.

I felt very relaxed about the whole thing, knowing I put in the effort with my training and I was quite simply going to make it round the course best I could.  There were quite a few of us running for GOSHCC and we had a team photo before the race (I'm kneeling, 3rd from the right).

Then it was time for the warm up led my a Mr. Motivator type man on a stage surrounded by atheletic women in their lycra! I've only just noticed the enormous bear also taking part in the warm up! I didn't see it on my way round, so hoping I started ahead of it, rather than it starting ahead of me and beating me to the finish! I didn't quite finish the warm up due to needing a desperate wee. One more jump and I'd be doing a Paula Radcliffe.  My pelvic floor isn't what it used to be! Hmm, should have done more of those exercises!

After the warm up, it was time to find my starting place. I'd decided that I would be doing the 5K solo, without Amelia. I'd put a lot of effort in to my training and didn't think I'd be able to put it into practise if I was pushing Amelia around. She went with Daddy and my family to cheer me on whilst I made my way to the '35 minutes plus' zone.

Whilst waiting to start, I got talking to a lady called Sarah who was raising money for her local hospital. She was intrigued by the wand so I told her all about it. We got to talking about our strategy for the race. Like me she wanted to jog/walk her way round, and, like me, she was aiming to complete it in about 40 minutes! Brilliant, I'd found a jogging buddy! We set off and seemed quite well matched in our pace and when to walk for a bit. After about 1.5K though, I'd got through the feeling that my legs weighed 10 stone each, and was getting into my stride. We'd agreed beforehand that neither one of us would be offended if the other wanted to go on, so with a "might see you later" I went on ahead. Unfortunately I never did see Sarah again. I hope she made it round and achieved everything she wanted.

By 3K I realised I was on track to complete the course in 40 minutes. Averaging 8 mins per kilometre, it was important I didn't slow down too much. I knew my supporters would be cheering me on at the 4K mark and I wanted to be seen jogging past!  I was so excited to see them and as soon as I saw the giant GOSHCC flag in the distance I picked up my pace, giving a big smile and wave as I went past.

With just 1K left, I was nearly there! It wasn't the easiest of finishes. A few twist and turns, inclines and speed bumps to contend with but I turned the final corner and saw the finish line! Yippee, I did it in 41 minutes!

I had a fantastic time taking part and being around so many other women each running for their own reason was amazing. I feel proud of what I have achieved and even more so by the amount I raised for GOSHCC. But asked if i would do it again and my answer is still the same. Nope! I'd like to do an event with Amelia, but no serious running for me. I haven't got the running bug. This is the closest I'll ever get to running again...

and even then I'd much rather be leading the parade!!

Looking back : Looking forward

Four months ago I made the decision to take part in this year's Adidas Women's 5k Challenge. My primary objective at the time was to raise as much money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) as I could. Amelia's operation was still very fresh in my mind, being only a month prior, and I felt I needed to do a fundraising event sooner rather than later.

As the weeks and months have passed I have found the whole process to be a great deal more than just raising money. What surprised me was how much I needed to let go. Over a year of built up feelings needed to find their way out; training and writing this blog has proven to be a positive way of channeling these feelings.

Every time I went out for a jog in preparation for the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge, I would be thinking over my next blog post, thinking about the events that had led me here and how I could tell you my story in a way that would emphasise how much GOSHCC need your support, yet also in a way that wouldn't have you sobbing on the sofa for the rest of the day. Comments received about my blog plus the staggering total on my Just Giving page suggest I got the balance right.

Right from the start, I decided this was to be my only fundraising attempt; it is not going to be an annual thing so you can be assured I will not keep pestering you for money!  I would still like to take part in events for GOSHCC, but I will not be asking for sponsorship.  I still maintain that I am not a natural runner, although I may participate in the occasional 'fun run' for GOSHCC. In all honesty I can't wait to go back to the comforts of my Wii Fit, cross trainer and Desperate Housewives! After Sunday I will no longer embrace the outdoors for my fitness fix!

Crossing the finish line in Hyde Park on Sunday will not only represent the end of the race, but an end to a difficult year. I feel I've been able to make peace with what has happened and it is now time to move on and look forward. The journey has been positive, not only in Amelia's successful operation and recovery but in the fundraising that has been done since. I'd never had believed that I would be going round Hyde Park with almost £1000 for GOSHCC. I'm eternally grateful to all of you who have donated to GOSHCC, as without you, the hospital would not be able to go on looking after children in the way that they do.
xxx

Fit for the challenge

Now, I know I've said that I 'don't do running', but I'm certainly no stranger to exercise. I'm aiming to complete the 5k challenge in a relatively good time. I've owned a cross trainer for 3 years and whilst it went through a period of being banished to the garage, it has been re-instated in the spare bedroom for several months. Along with episodes of Desperate Housewives it is helping me banish that 'baby belly'. Mentally willing myself that all this exercise WILL leave me looking like Eva Longoria is the perfect motivation - hey got to have a goal, right?! Alongside Wii Fit plus (I upgraded-woo!) I like to think I lead a fairly active lifestyle whilst having a bit of fun at the same time. Amelia often sits on the floor whilst I work up a sweat and she usually keeps herself amused with the mountain of toys that surrounds her. That is until she decides I'm much more entertaining and so likes to watch.... and laugh!

So in the comfort of my own home, exercise and me are pals, but outside is a different story. Eventually I'm going to have to pound the pavements and see what it actually feels like to run on solid ground. If I'm honest, I'm a little nervous about this. Indoors I can huff, puff and sweat with no worry of people looking at me, but ouside... I shudder at the thought. In an attempt to go unnoticed I may have to find a hat and some shades. Or will that just draw more attention to me?! Either way, let us not forget... it's all for a great cause. x