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

On My Way

Training for the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge is well underway and going well. I try to go out 2-3 times a week and am gradually building up the distance. At home, I've got a certain little person keeping me on the move and I think she'd quite like to give the 5k a go herself - if crawling was allowed...

Just over 3 months ago Amelia had heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Just look her now. This video is her little thank you to those at GOSH for helping her get to where she is today. Please sponsor me so that more children can go on to lead a better life and do wonderful things. x

Keeping the magic alive

The 'magic wands' post was a real success in terms of promoting my blog and getting donations to my Just Giving page. My initial target of £200 has been reached and I'm hopeful that the amount will continue to go up.

It got me thinking. How could I represent all this 'magic' that people were donating? To not only show my gratitude but to also show tangibly how individual donations build up to create something big.

I came up with this:

This wand will have all the names and messages attached from those who have donated. If you want to feature on the wand click here to donate. The plan is that I will carry the wand with me when I do the Adidas Women's 5km Challenge on 11th September, so you'll all be with me!  Who knows, it may even give me a little boost if I start to flag!

Before I end, if you're reading this thinking "Why does she keep going on about magic and magic wands?"  It's not because I have a secret desire to be Tinkerbell or Harry Potter. No. Let me just remind of Great Ormond Street Hospital's slogan...

The long and winding road...

OK, so the road may not be that long at the moment or winding but the training is well underway and I'm starting to get into a routine. I'm currently working on my first mile out of a total of three (technically 3.1miles, but let's not get picky). I have three months, so a mile a month is what I'm working on. Maths in action there folks!
My training really turned a corner this week (excuse the pun) as my body gets used to jogging in the real world and I start to get the hang of pacing myself. No more whirring of the cross trainer, hidden away in the spare bedroom with my eyes glued to desperate housewives. Oh no.. Time to let the public see me sweat and hear me huff and puff like Darth Vader. Nice.
Now, Facebook followers would have perhaps read the status updates, one in particular stating, "Jog done. I'm not gonna lie, it ain't fun." I was feeling particular fed up that evening, seriously questioning my ability to run this 5km. When I began training I started out with a short circuit round the block, about 0.5km, and would repeat. In just a couple of weeks though I was running round in circles three or four times. It had got boring and I was loosing my motivation. I had tried taking the iPod along for company but every time I ran a few metres the silly headphones would just pop right out of my ears! *sigh*
So the next trip out that week was to be different. Still no iPod, the battery was now flat, but I had a new route planned; a longer circuit that I would not have to keep going round and round and round. Off I went, with a spring in my step and I did it! My first mile. Yay! Need to perfect it a little before we set to work on the next mile, but I'm starting to feel confident about this challenge.
Thank you to all of you who have sponsored me so far. It really does help to keep me motivated and determined to achieve something I've never done before. 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

Time to raise some money!

Hi all!

If you're reading this then you will know I've signed up for the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge. 5k, you say, not very far. But I don't really do running! More like a light jog or quick dash to the car when I come out of Tesco and it's raining. When I was at school I hated anything that involved running down a grassy track, unless it was the bean bag race - I aced at that, thanks to my Mum sticking my hair in bunches that balanced that beanbag perfectly on my head! (Thanks Mum xxx).

But things are different now, I have a purpose which doesn't involved being chased by a cheetah. I want to raise lots of money for Great Ormond Street, a charity that I can't thank enough for what they have done for Amelia. To put it simply, without them Amelia would not have a long, healthy future ahead of her.

If haven't already, please sponsor me. If everyone I know sponsored me £5 I can maybe even beat my target! In return I will run my socks off on 11th September. In the meantime keep visiting my blog and I will keep you updated on my progress.