#runleynierun

I’ve not been fantastic at keeping my blog updated on progress, which has been slow due to injury, and the thought of running the Bath Half next Sunday is daunting as I’ve really not put in anywhere near enough the training! But I’ll give it my best shot as this cause is so very close to my heart and  I’m determined to do the best I can, in memory of my mum and all those that I know who have been affected by Cancer.

So what have I been up to this far?

So January’s challenge was Mind’s Run Every Day, which did not quite work out to running every day - and probably exacerbated my ankle injury. So apart from a forced week off to rest, I may not have run every day, but I definitely kept up the ethic of exercising every day.

February’s running challenge was completed last week - by taking part in the @runthroughuk Greenwich Park 10k. This was by no means the easiest 10k I’ve ever done, as it involved 3 laps of the park, but it’s always nice to do a run that’s not in your own back yard, so to speak. 

As I said, I’ve got @bathhalf next weekend, and I’ve started a week full of challenges, to make it even more difficult for myself, today’s (day 1) was climbing Corn Ddu, the second highest peak in South Wales. Ably accompanied by my “mini mountain goat”, Lili. I’ll be posting updates here and on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwEKQFDkfH8DI6QQFbVR0Rg?view_as=subscriber) 

Let’s set one thing straight, I have never had nice toes. The are squat, misshapen and some of the toe nails are non-existent.

If you were to compare them to a literary creation, you’d think of Snow White, the eight dwarfs and two ogres (that’s the big toes). You’d think that JRR Tolkien may have used them as the basis for the orcs in Lord of the Rings.

I have long tried to hide them from public sight, I do not own sandals or flip flops, and even in the highs of summer they are covered in socks.

So when last year I set out on my week of madness, I was mortified when after the Cardiff Half Marathon I took of my trainer to find even uglier toes. Two of the toes were swollen, discoloured and even more disfigured than before.

I buoyed myself for a visit to the Doctor, as the week of madness and fundraising was more important than my loathing and embarrassment of my toes.

When my name was called, I walked sheepishly into the Drs office, and before sitting down I started to apologise profusely for the monstrosity he was about to see. I envisaged that he would run screaming in disgust from the office, or call all his Dr friends and point and laugh at the freak show, or maybe add me to a medical journal!

Amazingly he didn’t, he must have learnt restraint as part of his education. Instead he let me know that I had an infection and needed antibiotics. I also got a wonderful toe bandage to wear for the remaining part of the week of madness, so there wouldn’t have been further trauma.

Since then I have continued to run, and I have constant bruised toe nails and nails that I’m sure need to be removed as they are so deformed, but I am yet to pluck up enough courage to visit the Dr or podiatrist.

So the reason for this post, yes there is a reason....If my fundraising efforts for a wonderful charity is not enough, just give a little thank you to the Gods and the genetics that have given you nice normal feet and that you don’t have 10 Toe-Orcs that look up at you from your feet everyday!!!!

My mum died in May 2015 from Cancer, and although I don't think she knew she had cancer, her body was riddled with it. She wasn't ill for very long (about two months), she was diagnosed with breast, lung, liver and bone cancer and died two days later.

Last year I raised over £2,000 for Cancer Research by completing a week of madness (7 events in 7 days, including 2 half marathons), and it was all down to the amazing generosity of family, friends and even people I didn't know that kept me going. The whole thing was physically and not to mention emotionally draining, but it helped me to grieve and feel like I was doing something to honour my mum, who I miss terribly.

Since I did this last year, there have been so many people who are close to me (family, friends and colleagues) that have been affected by Cancer, and £2,000 just isn't enough to keep searching for a cure and to provide support for those affected.

Cancer is everywhere and if I can do my small part to help fund research to stop someone losing a loved one then that makes me feel better, so please help me to do that....

I realised that I needed to do something bigger and more challenging to raise money. So I'm not going to lie, I have obviously done a half marathon before, but a secret that you may not know is that I REALLY don't like running, it is a challenge for me....

So my plan is: 1) 200 miles in 100 days (that's either 2 miles a day, or 14 miles a week) - I work full time, I've got 2 children,  and as anyone close to me will tell you, I'm rather a busy person and it's winter so it's dark and miserable all the time! - So that's challenge 1

2) Challenge 2 - Bath Half Marathon - not the flattest of cities! And pure and unadulterated training to get an under 2 hours time! Something I've tried my hardest to achieve and never have!

3) 9 days worth of challenges to get to the Bath Half Marathon - this time including loved ones, friends and anyone else willing to take part! Saturday 25th Feb - Sunday 4th March

So far on the 8 day list is:

A 10k run from work with anyone who'll join me!                                            A climb up Pen Y Fan                                                                                             Ice skating - Mia's choice                                                                                      And I'm hoping to organise a paid for clubercise / zumba / insanity work out - if I can get someone to help us out with this!                                 4 other things - yet to be decided                                                                       Finishing with Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 4th March

This will all be supplemented by cake sales, sweepstakes, and anything else to help raise money for this very important cause.

Thank you so much for helping to eradicate Cancer and helping me to remember my Mum and do my bit.