Hi there...

This year a few of us from Gofal and friends have set ourselves the challenge of doing the Welsh 3 peaks in August and the Cardiff Half Marathon in October...I started training properly about 3 weeks ago and I did my first training event in May with three friends, Sandra, Mark and Nadine..we did the Cardiff Bay 5..a 5 mile run which raised money for Cystic Fibrosis..it didn't put me off in fact now I have the bug and have decided that I'm going do 3 more challenges for Gofal this year to represent the recovery pathway model of our services; crisis intervention; home and family support; skills, learning and employment and community wellbeing. 

When I first started training a year or so ago I couldn't even run around a rugby pitch without going bright red in the face and needing to walk..so actually managing to run all the way in just less than an hour on Monday was such an amazing achievement and the longest I've ever run..considering that 3 weeks back we couldn't even run for half an hour without stopping at every hill..it makes you realise what you can achieve and it is also so good for your mental wellbeing..there is definately something in the runner's high!  

So...my first challenge was the Cardiff Bay 5, the second much harder challenge was the Caerphilly 10k in June..photos online...it was hardgoing - mostly flat was the clue re the massive hill at the start..but we made it all the way around non stop jogging - and we beat the man dressed up as a pie so I was chuffed with that lol!

The third challenge was the Welsh 3 Peaks which 15 of us completed on 2nd August (well I have to admit to only being able to complete two of the peaks..Cadair Idris and Snowdon...due to a knee injury and not wanting to ruin all the running training I've been doing for the half marathon) - what an amazing bunch of people to do the challenge with though - they were all incredible - motivating, supportive and fun to be around - absolutely brilliant because at times this challenge was extremely tough!!!  My pictures are on facebook - soaked through on Snowdon..hard going in the sun on Cadair Idris and the smiles still in place even after all that..hats off to those that managed all three peaks.. I did it a few years back and I don't remember the Idris being that hard!!!

the final challenge is the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday 4th October...last long training run completed on the weekend..running for nearly 2 hours was hard going..am hoping to make it home before they open the roads up to traffic, I'll be happy with that :-) 

If anyone would like to join in any future events with me then please get in touch next year we are planning the full UK 3 peaks!!..it really helps the motivation to be part of a team and it makes it way more fun.  If you'd like to donate instead to a great cause to help us provide vital support to people with mental health problems then I would be really grateful...

Huge thanks for your generosity,

Jan x