My 'Running to 40' challenge is my midlife crisis in slightly different wrapping! It is a series of activities on the lead up to my birthday and beyond and will probably continue until I come to my senses! My intention is to raise money for, and awareness of, The Joshua Tree.
So, the beginning, I signed up for the national event that is 'Park Run', my local one is held in Delamere Forest, the most beautiful of settings. These 'runs' go on all over the country, at various parks, at 9am every Saturday. They are incredibly well organises, by an army of volunteers, and provide the opportunity for a timed 5k race. Later on the same day you receive an email informing you of your time and on the website, www.parkrun.org.uk/delamere/, there is a results table. My aim today was to a) get round the whole course b) not to fall over (tree roots and mud are very hazardous and plentiful at Delamere and c) not to be last!! I am very pleased to report that I fulfilled my aims...all of them!! My time, 35 minutes 43 seconds, was not outstanding but I now have a benchmark which I aim to improve on week-on-week and I was 148/154 but that is still an achievement I am proud of!!
In celebration of this achievement I then went clothes shopping, no longer am I browsing around shopping centres looking at clothes for going out/staying in/study days/meeting friends, no I went to a well known sports outlet to purchase some new running gear...and purchase I did!! Two pairs of Capri length shorts, two tops and a wind/weatherproof jacket later we left, not too light of pocket as the store is very reasonably priced and without a compromise on girliness!! I also bought an exercise mat, which leads me to...
Tomorrow!! Tomorrow sees the start of my Major Series training!! I will keep you posted...
Lx
For anyone interested my fundraising page can be found at www.justgiving.com/Lisa-West3/?ut...
Hi, I've just joined the MOTR site and seen the link to your blog! I've got a blog too, http://runnermum.blogspot.co.uk/ - about being a Mum/runner, bit it's a bit quiet over the holidays. Unfortunately I've already turned 40 - last December - but I'm still trying to challenge myself like you!
ReplyDelete