Sometimes I feel very lucky to be able to run with such lovely scenes & it makes me feel really inspired & motivated!
Previously this blog was used for my running journey when in 2014 I completed the London Marathon and raised over £5000 for Cancer Research UK & Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust. I still support both charities whenever the opportunity arises but three years on and life has changed somewhat... I'm now married to Simon and mum to 19 month old Oliver, I also work full time. Life if pretty full on...but there is always room for more.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Morning view
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Motivation
Titanium by David Guetta was on the radio this morning and the words really stuck with me so I've made it my new Powersong for the end of my long training runs.
These words in particular are going to spur me on
I think I've mentioned before that my other Powersong is Firework by Katy Perry. Would be interested to hear what your motivational songs are.
Back to the plan
Last Thursday I returned to the hospital for another colposcopy, this time they took four biopsies which I wasn't expecting and knocked me for six, both physically and mentally. It's now the usual drill, wait four weeks for the results.
Throughout the recovery my main concern - as well as my health - was getting back to my marathon training. Missing days of training can really affect your plan and although I'm a few days ahead of where I should be I really didn't want to suddenly be on the back foot.
After resting - as much as is possible for me to rest - for a couple of days, I got back out running this morning. It was just great to be back!
The weather is quite cold at the moment but despite that and the fog, I just focused on the bigger picture and ploughed on through.
I'm suffering a little now from the pain but knowing I've got back to it is a huge boost. And keeping in mind that I'm healthy and will be back out there pounding the pavements tomorrow is also keeping me motivated.
It does make me really admire people with more serious injuries and health problems that also train for and finish marathons, how do they even do that?
I heard from a colleague at the weekend that he trained for a marathon in 2 weeks!! I've been training already for four months and feel no where near ready! (He did say he couldn't walk for weeks after though so guess that's not a good idea!)
The other real bonus and motivation for me this week has been reaching my £3000 target!
We raised £1500 at a work fundraising day on Saturday and with the money already donated I am delighted that the target has been reached.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, I've now decided to increase the target to £5000! With 11 weeks to go until the marathon I know it's achievable & can't wait to hand over cheques for so much money to my two charities!
Thank you to everyone who continues to keep me motivated & committed to raising money for amazing causes.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
A tough week
The week I've been pretty much dreading for the past few months has arrived. On Thursday I'll be heading back to the hospital for my next colposcopy and to start another couple of weeks of waiting for results.
People have asked me if it gets any easier, my answer 'No'. If anything because you know what to expect it's actually harder. The procedure isn't the nicest of things to go through but worst than that is the waiting. Your future is in the hands of someone in a lab somewhere who you will never meet! That is the scary part for me.
Having said that, I've kept myself healthy & fit for the past couple of months so there is nothing more I can do than that, it's all out of my hands.
This week my wonderful friend Caroline is the chosen one holding my hand through it all, it helps so much to have someone with you so take note, if you ever need to go through something like this, never try to soldier on alone, it does not help anyone, least of all you! Caroline, as with most of my friends, has been an absolute tower of strength for me throughout all of this and that really goes a long way to helping me keep my chin up, stay positive and smile on through it.
I'll be resting up for a few days after the colposcopy so the training will need to ease a little, I've re-arranged my schedule for this week so that I am still running the same distance just on different days and thankfully I've saved my rest days for Friday & Saturday. Sunday will be a tough run as it's 1 hour 50 minutes but I'll be taking things slow and only doing as much as I can.
If you are friends with me on Facebook, please 'like' my Nike+ update on Sunday morning, that's when I'll be needing all the cheers and support I can get.
What is really motivating me throughout all of this though is that I am supporting two amazing charities and that by me putting myself out there, my kind friends, family, colleagues and even complete strangers are donating to something I feel very passionate about.
Thank you all so much!
People have asked me if it gets any easier, my answer 'No'. If anything because you know what to expect it's actually harder. The procedure isn't the nicest of things to go through but worst than that is the waiting. Your future is in the hands of someone in a lab somewhere who you will never meet! That is the scary part for me.
Having said that, I've kept myself healthy & fit for the past couple of months so there is nothing more I can do than that, it's all out of my hands.
This week my wonderful friend Caroline is the chosen one holding my hand through it all, it helps so much to have someone with you so take note, if you ever need to go through something like this, never try to soldier on alone, it does not help anyone, least of all you! Caroline, as with most of my friends, has been an absolute tower of strength for me throughout all of this and that really goes a long way to helping me keep my chin up, stay positive and smile on through it.
I'll be resting up for a few days after the colposcopy so the training will need to ease a little, I've re-arranged my schedule for this week so that I am still running the same distance just on different days and thankfully I've saved my rest days for Friday & Saturday. Sunday will be a tough run as it's 1 hour 50 minutes but I'll be taking things slow and only doing as much as I can.
If you are friends with me on Facebook, please 'like' my Nike+ update on Sunday morning, that's when I'll be needing all the cheers and support I can get.
What is really motivating me throughout all of this though is that I am supporting two amazing charities and that by me putting myself out there, my kind friends, family, colleagues and even complete strangers are donating to something I feel very passionate about.
Thank you all so much!
Monday, 13 January 2014
Raising Awareness
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. It's the chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer.
Since having cervical abnormalities I try to talk to as many women as I can about it and encourage them (if they haven't already) to attend their routine smear tests. It really can save your life.
Next Monday (19th January) sees the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. This is a European wide initiative to focus is on all things to do with cervical cancer including information about symptoms and causes of the disease, ways to prevent it and supporting charities like Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.
This Saturday the company I work for (ITS) are putting on a Fundraising Day to support my marathon campaign with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK & Jo's Trust, this will be how I am supporting and raising awareness of Cervical Abnormalities & Cervical Cancer. How will you raise awareness?...
See more at: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week#sthash.MwGUu1Fl.dpuf
Since having cervical abnormalities I try to talk to as many women as I can about it and encourage them (if they haven't already) to attend their routine smear tests. It really can save your life.
Next Monday (19th January) sees the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. This is a European wide initiative to focus is on all things to do with cervical cancer including information about symptoms and causes of the disease, ways to prevent it and supporting charities like Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.
This Saturday the company I work for (ITS) are putting on a Fundraising Day to support my marathon campaign with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK & Jo's Trust, this will be how I am supporting and raising awareness of Cervical Abnormalities & Cervical Cancer. How will you raise awareness?...
See more at: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week#sthash.MwGUu1Fl.dpuf
Monday, 6 January 2014
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I took a bit of a break over Christmas & New Year from posting, instead focusing on spending time with my family and friends. It was a really lovely time & reminded me once again how lucky I am to have such great people around me.
One thing I didn't take a break from though was training!
I've been hard at it and upping my times and distances each week, I even ran on Christmas Day!! It was actually really refreshing to be out nice and early on Christmas morning and meant I was feeling really good (if a little achy) even after stuffing my face with all the usual festive treats. This Christmas was a first for me too, I actually lost weight instead of putting it on. It's all the training, it just seems to fall off, I suppose it's my metabolism.
I've decided to do a different training plan now which fits better for me, it was suggested by Cancer Research UK. I'm now running 4/5 times a week and giving myself a few rest days. This is really working for me as I now feel like I'm actually getting somewhere and giving my body a well deserved rest.
I'm up to 90 minutes of running on my longest day now which feels so rewarding, I never thought I'd be able to comfortably run for 30 minutes let alone 90 so this is really giving me the boost I need to keep it going.
With only 96 days until the London Marathon the challenge I've taken on is starting to really kick but I'm still as motivated as ever & am definitely already in better shape than I've ever been.
So although it's a new year, the training continues, the commitment continues & thanks to some great support, the donations have continued to roll in for my chosen charities!
2014 - The year I run the London Marathon!
One thing I didn't take a break from though was training!
I've been hard at it and upping my times and distances each week, I even ran on Christmas Day!! It was actually really refreshing to be out nice and early on Christmas morning and meant I was feeling really good (if a little achy) even after stuffing my face with all the usual festive treats. This Christmas was a first for me too, I actually lost weight instead of putting it on. It's all the training, it just seems to fall off, I suppose it's my metabolism.
I've decided to do a different training plan now which fits better for me, it was suggested by Cancer Research UK. I'm now running 4/5 times a week and giving myself a few rest days. This is really working for me as I now feel like I'm actually getting somewhere and giving my body a well deserved rest.
I'm up to 90 minutes of running on my longest day now which feels so rewarding, I never thought I'd be able to comfortably run for 30 minutes let alone 90 so this is really giving me the boost I need to keep it going.
With only 96 days until the London Marathon the challenge I've taken on is starting to really kick but I'm still as motivated as ever & am definitely already in better shape than I've ever been.
So although it's a new year, the training continues, the commitment continues & thanks to some great support, the donations have continued to roll in for my chosen charities!
2014 - The year I run the London Marathon!
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