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Running and Fundraising… A Few Thoughts

It’s been such a long time since I last posted that I’m not all that sure where I left you last…

I have five days to go till the London Marathon… Yes, I really was crazy enough to sign up again.

Thankfully I made it through most of the training injury free- till last Sunday. A pulled hamstring has meant no running since. Very scary so close to the big day. But on the plus side it made me re-evaluate my ‘why’, my ‘reason to run’.

I began my running journey as a means to fundraise. I’m very proud to say that in the last three years, I’ve helped to raise nearly £10,000 for children’s cancer charities. I’m not sure when or if I’ll ever stop fundraising completely… however I do feel the time is right to take a break. This leaves me with a huge sense of guilt. There will never be enough I can do for the cause. But I have to be honest with myself, I am not Superwoman, I do have limits. If truth be told, I am exhausted. I have kept myself ridiculously busy since our cancer journey began, and I think part of that was to put on a show of strength. To prove that despite everything, I’m ok. It’s been a coping mechanism that I’ve held onto for some time. But you know what, it’s ok not to be ok. And I’m not entirely sure that I have been. So after this Marathon, I’m taking a break from the fundraising and focusing a little more on me. I am still juggling with whether that’s a selfish choice…

I love running. I’ve never been a sporty girl. At school I was reserve reserve on the netball team. So it’s been great to find joy in something active. I’ve built up quite an impressive medal collection too. I’ve never really considered myself a ‘runner’ though. All of the races I’ve done so far have been for charity. My focus has always been on the fundraising and a target amount rather than the actual running itself. I won’t stop running as I take my fundraising break. I’m actually quite excited by the prospect of focusing on the ‘running’ rather than fundraising targets. For the first time, I’m considering the specifics of what I’d like to achieve as a ‘runner’. So here are my goals for the next year. To complete a 5K in under 25 minutes, a 10K in under 55 minutes, a half marathon in 1 hour 50 and eventually a marathon (yes, I am considering another one- however ask me after Sunday and it may be a different story!!) in under four hours 30 minutes. All quite ambitious for a slow coach like me, but I will do it. For now, I’ll share the progress on here.

I’m sure I will return to fundraising, and when I do it’ll be with a new drive and determination and one heck of a challenge! For now, if you’d like to help these fundraising efforts go out with a bang, please sponsor me: www.virginmoneygiving.com/terriandlindsay
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