The proudest day

Why the proudest day you may be thinking... Let me explain, first I need to go back about 18months, (and as mad as this may seem, I believe Dad, even though no longer with us, has had something to do with the chain of events that followed!) I had recently read Dean Karnazes book, Ultramarathon Man and had decided I wanted to run an ultra. Shortly after finding out Dads cancer was terminal my sister said she had seen a run from London to Brighton that might be something I'd be interested in. I went home and before I knew it had signed up to run 100km, raising money for Cancer Research UK. I didn't know anyone else doing this run but some information I was sent from the organisers said there was a facebook group for challengers, so they could share training, equipment, fundraising tips etc. I joined and was immediately welcomed and that is where it all began. 

Sadly Dad lost his battle before the event but the training, support from this group and others got me through and I had an amazing time and completed London 2 Brighton, raised nearly £1000 and most importantly met some of the most amazing people. 

This year I wanted to do something to mark the year anniversary of losing my Dad and discovered Colchester Half Marathon was on that day so I signed up. (Dad loved the outdoors, took part in many treks, cycle rides all over the world, raised loads of money for charity and inspired and encouraged me with my running) it seemed fitting to run a local marathon in memory of him. I took part with some friends from Essex Boot Camp and managed a new PB.

So why have these two events resulted in me feeling so proud today... Now this may sound odd but Facebook has a lot to do with it! I know there are those who don't like FB, say it causes problems, bullying etc, but my experience is so different, from these two events I have become a member of two groups one that sprung up from London 2 Brighton an the other from Colchester Half, the people I have met through these groups are the reason I am feeling so proud today.

This weekend many of them took part in events, some went back to give London 2 Brighton another go, some took on their first marathon in Edinburgh, and many others in 5k and 10k events. Those taking part have done amazingly well, all of them finishing their chosen events, that of course has made me super proud, but more than that was the support, encouragement, concern these amazing people showed their fellow competitors, from those who marshalled to those who waited at finish lines and even one who went back after 100k to ensure a friend made it to the end. That is what has made me proud today. A year a go I didn't know any of these people now I am so lucky to have them as my friends and I know without a doubt whenever I compete they are there to encourage and support. If not there in person, they offer messages of support.

So to all of you, you know who you are, thank you for being amazing, thank you for always being there, not just for the running but for all other advice and support you have offered when it was needed, thank you for the laughs, the jokes and the craziness. But most of all thank you for being the most selfless, kind, caring and all round good people that you are.

None of us knows what the future holds but I hope wherever life takes me all of you will be there to share it in some way.

Love you all xxx 

Running for Boston

This morning I dedicated my 7.5 mile run to Boston. Why I hear many ask? What about Texas, the earthquake in China, the many other tragedies this week I hear others ask. These comments got me thinking, why was I so affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings. I gave this some serious thought whilst I ran in the sunshine today and this is what I came up with...
Firstly I will say a little about my recent marathon experience, last Sunday I ran Brighton Marathon it was my sixth marathon so I knew what was coming, but it was a special marathon for me for several reasons, it was the first one my children, 18, 16 and 14 were with me at. It was the first one where I knew other people running. The day started early with breakfast at a friends and fellow runners house, 5 runners who met last year coming together to run a marathon, raise money and yet again push their bodies hard. I was excited and a little nervous, really wanted a new PB and that magical 4:30 marathon I'd yet to achieve.
Off to the start line my children went off to their thing and cheer me along the way, all this new technology meant they were able to track my progress.
The race went well for me I'm not going to bore you with every mile! Until 17.5 miles I was on target for that 4:30 finish but then I struggled for a few miles before giving myself a talking to and finishing with a reasonably strong final 3.5 miles, not 4:30 but 4:39 I got my new PB.
A marathon is tough, it hurts, but that marathon day is your 26.2 miles in the spotlight, the culmination of months of hard work. Training in all weathers, long runs, fartlek, hill training, boot camp you name it we marathon runners do it!
We neglect our friends and families, I turned down party invites, nights out so I was fresh and on top form for those long Sunday runs or events I was booked into as part of the training.
Then there's the fundraising so not only do you neglect your non running friends you also badger them constantly for sponsorship, and I have to say I have some extremely generous friends to whom I am grateful.
So I hear you ask what's all this got to do with Boston, well like I said Marathon day, especially those big city marathons, they are your day, a celebration of all your hard work, thousands of runners coming together. Not wanting to get morbid but my friends and family waited for me in that final stretch towards the finish line, seeing my children cheering me brought a tear to my eye! If the unthinkable had happened there, it could have been my children and friends injured or killed.
Runners are a tough bunch, the running community is strong and reaches every corner of the globe. The big city marathons do so much, they bring people together, they raise millions of pounds for charity. The supporters along the way shouting your name keep you going, they are what make a marathon special, complete strangers willing you to the finish, handing you sweets, children wanting a high five from a runner, that's what marathon day is about...
That moment you cross the finish line, the medal, the smiles...
So that's why I ran for Boston today, for those who will never run a marathon, an eight year old who won't grow up to follow in his Dads footsteps, for those who lost limbs. it's not because I don't care  about the other tragedies that have happened this week...
But because I am a runner...