I decided in September last year to run Reading half marathon on 21st March 2010, as some of my colleagues were doing it and I thought if I trained hard I could beat at least one of them, so having enrolled, I wondered how I could possibly keep the training going and then thought, of course!! raise money for Help for Heroes in memory of Dan my godson and son of my very special friend Wendy.
I had never been a runner so it was a daunting task, I set myself small goals 2 miles then adding a bit at a time the first main one was to be able to run 4 miles by the end of the year, even the pre christmas snow did not put me off and I went for a run on Boxing day, fortunately there were no cars on the roads as the footpaths were treacherous and on 28th December I achieved my first goal of 4 miles.
The January snow did not help progress and then a head cold for two weeks but I was soon back on track clocking up the miles by the end of January I had run my for 10k OK 6.2 miles!!, I was buzzing considering I had never run anywhere I was loving it.
I then started to do some longer runs with a colleague and clocked up 8 then 9 and then two weeks before I did 11.5 of the actuall route. I always seem to run at the same in pace roughly 11 minute miles, so was reasonably confident I cold do a good time.
While all this training was going on Wendy made up some sponsor forms for me and I emailed everyone!!, even a friend in the USA sponsored me, I even advertised the run at our Scout Group panto the weekend before and was absolutely ecstatic when I reached £1000.
The day came and Andy (husband) and Lisa (Niece who's husband was in Afghanistan) came to see me off and were also to see me in two other places on the course. It was going to be a warm day so I had to make sure I had my water bottle and kept my pace not getting dragged along to quick too soon. I started with the 2.25hr pace maker, mind you it took 20 minutes to get across the start line but it did not matter as we all had electronic tags (so no cheating). I stayed with this group for about 8 miles, going to plan so far. The crowds are fantastic shouting for everyone it was certainly a boost especially when you see a familiar face. the worst bit was between 10 and 11 miles along the A33, the last group of people were near Matalan if you know it then no one until the edge of Green Park where the crowds start again.
I had never been into Madjeski stadium before and was only in the for abut 4 minutes long enough to run in one side around the pitch and across the line and stagger out the other side in a very respectable 2 hours 28 minutes.
I had done it!!
The task of collecting money was quite easy with Just giving and when i actually started asking I got given a bit extra plus the gift Aid made sure my total was clearly above £1k.
I also had 2 colleagues that ran for Help for Heroes in Dan's memory too Steve Fleck and Colin Mc Niffe.
My colleagues also ALL have Dan bands too.
I am going to continue with the running and have since run the Woodley 10k with more planned. I may have lost my Godson but he has helped me achieve something I never thought I would be able to do oh and get fit too.
So Thank you Dan
Erica
07899 075203