Well that’s it. It’s December 16th and I have completed my crazy running challenge for the year.
When I sat in March in the midst of snow and the Reading Half Marathon was cancelled I decided to enter the Southampton half as I had completed the training. I’m not sure why then that became one event a month which finally became two events a month for the rest of the 10months of the year!! I’m crazy and even I’ve realised finally finishing that it was a tall order.
Mix it with two young children, going back to work part time, a husband that plays hockey on Saturdays, volunteering for the charity a minor operation to remove lumps on my head, a heart monitor fitted preventing me driving for over a month and time becomes quite limited, let alone throwing parties, weddings and holidays into the mix!!
I found when I had potential weekends free there weren’t events available or they were too far to travel so I have completed three virtual events during the challenge for this very reason.
I have run several 5kms and 10kms, one 10mile event , two half marathons and one full walking marathon which equates to over 200km and goodness knows how far we have driven!! I’ve completed events in Portsmouth, Southampton, London, Bath, Birmingham, Reading and Newbury. I’ve used more portaloos than I care to remember, I’ve realised I am not a cross country or undulating course type of runner and I cannot run in long sleeves!!! I’ve run in the blazing sun in July, the wind and rain in August and the freezing cold in December.
I’ve completed a colour run where I’ve run through obstacles whilst having colour bombs thrown at me and a inflatable obstacle course which was like being a big kid again.
I’ve had the privilege of running with my amazing friends Alice and Kate and even Andy has joined in with two of the events. The support from my mum and dad and Andy with childcare and cheering me on has been incredible and it wouldn’t have physically been possible without them. George thinks I have won every race as I’ve had a medal and I may not have corrected him! I also need to thank Jenny Chambers who has been at the end of the phone at every event, who told me I was a nutter when I began but nevertheless supported me and who has understood the importance of why I started this challenge. To all those people who have commented on my posts with good lucks and well done, I also thank you for keeping me going. People have written the most amazing messages, I certainly don’t feel inspirational as some have said but I do feel extremely chuffed I have completed this challenge.
I think my favourite event has probably been the Great South Run, it was a beautiful day in Portsmouth, I knocked off 14 mins from last year and Andy said he was impressed and proud. High praise indeed. My least favourite has probably got to be the Englefield 10km that was the end of August but was the wettest ever. It was miserable and a very hilly cross country course. The other one that Andy ran with me and he kept me going and helped me to finish.
I’ve got 20 medals that I’m now not sure what to do with and 20 running bibs I decided to keep!! Any bright ideas please let me know!
More importantly so far I have raised nearly £1000 for ICP Support and that’s why I began in order to give something back. You all by now know my story I’m sure. I suffered with this horrendous condition in both pregnancies but through the support of this amazing charity both my little itches were born safe and healthy. We have got to raise the awareness of this condition so every baby is born safely. Thank you so much to all those who have sponsored me so far. There is still time if you are able to. Thank you.
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jennyhastings3
Now a week off then I will start training for the Reading Half Marathon with fingers and toes crossed for no snow!!
Itching To Run 