The topic got me thinking about my first craft fair (but I write a lot about craft fairs and I thought you might fancy a change), my first time hosting #CraftBlogClub, my first crochet project (but I've already blogged about that here), If I had taken pictures of the very first cards I made you could have had a laugh at them. In the end I decided I would share something different with you, nothing crafty or business related but about my first race!
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| Race For Life 2006 |
I started to run back in 2002 when I started my first proper job after university. I've never been sporty but I needed to lose the excess weight gained from cheap pints and late night takeaways!
My colleague had started running and signed up for the Race for Life and encouraged me to do the same. Race for Life happens every year across the UK and it started as a 5km which you can walk, run or jog, there are now various distances you can take part in. I don't have any pics from that day back in June 2003 but I remember I really enjoyed it, well, I must have done as I went on to run 3 more!
I have gone on since to run 10km and even the Great South Run which is 10 miles. Over the years I have raised money for various charities - Cancer Research UK, The Alzheimer's Society, Bloodwise and The Stroke Association.
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| Bupa London 10km 2010 |
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| Bupa London 10km 2011 |
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| Bupa London 10k 2015 |
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| Great South Run, Portsmouth. 2012 |
After running 10 miles, I fell out of love with running for a while. I think the pain in my knees and the rest of my body had something to do with that! After a 2 year break I joined a running club as I was starting to miss it but I needed some motivation.
Since joining the club I have taken part in another 10km and I have another one booked for January 2016 plus I take part in the local ParkRun when I have a free Saturday.
I intend to apply for the Great North Run when the ballot opens for next year, I may not get in but if I do, it will be a challenge! The Great North Run has been on my bucket list even before I became a runner. I went to university in Newcastle and for some bizarre reason the love I have for the city makes me want to run 13.1 miles?! I think it is also because I can't believe I would be able to do it, but I strongly believe that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
I'm by no means a skinny girl, I jiggle (a lot) when I run, but the accomplishment I felt after completing my first race has kept me running and entering more races. I hope it shows that anyone can run, really they can! If you can put one foot in front of the other you can run, it doesn't matter how slow you are or if you have to walk part of the distance, it is still further than sitting on the sofa.
What I love about running is it takes me out of my comfort zone, into the fresh air and gives me some me time. Although my first love will always be craft I have had some of my best ideas whilst running so it is an important part of my routine.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and the embarrassing photos!
Did you join in with this challenge?
I can't wait to read your post, please link your blog post below and don't forget to mention #CraftBlogClub and link back to this blog in your post.
As we have often chatted about how we don't make enough time to comment on blogs, it would be great if you check out everyone's posts and comment on at least one of them.
I hope you will join me in our Twitter chat on 3rd November at 7pm (GMT) where we will be chatting about our firsts and sharing our posts.
Before I sign off my fellow co-host, Katie, has launched our Secret Santa challenge! It's probably one of my favourites, I love making gifts and receiving happy mail. If you would like to join in please visit Katie's blog here where you will find the details of how to sign up which you will need to do by 8pm on 5th November 2015.
fizzi~jayne x
AW it's great to hear about your running! You'll have to let me know if you manage to make it to Newcastle!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'll definitely let you know!
DeleteYou've done so many now - that's amazing! I got into running a few years back and although it's so so hard it's such an incredible feeling of achievement when you finish a race! i've just written my 'firsts' post and i've used it as an opportunity to share a pattern for a brand new skill (eeek!)
ReplyDeleteHannah x
http://crafternooncabaretclub.com/2015/11/02/cosy-up-with-this-free-cable-knit-scarf-pattern/
Thanks, I hadn't appreciated how many I had done until I looked back, I still think of myself as a running novice!
DeleteI'm going to check out your post now. Thank you for taking part x
Well done you! I don't know how you do it. I often work the GNR so let me know if you do get a place :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie. I didn't know you've worked the GNR, I will definitely let you know if I get a place :-)
DeleteWell done on the running and good luck getting onto the GNR! I get that feeling if I do a long cycle - hurts but so satisfying.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea :-) I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid, I must test the theory if it is just like riding a bike, hehe!
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