BASICS is a Charity set up by volunteer doctors to attend major incidents and emergency situations. In August 2008 Pete Sneddon who is one of our Partners and works in the Floor coverings team, was hit by a car whilst out cycling with his club. Had BASICS Hampshire not attended the scene it is highly unlikely Pete would be alive. The work of these people is amazing and is done on a shoe string of a budget. John Lewis Partners were keen to select BASICS Hampshire as our charity of the year and we are doing everything possible to raise as much money as we can to help keep BASICS in medical supplies and on the road!
John Lewis Southampton's Managing Director, Mark Venables is delighted to be joined by 9 fellow Partners and Staff Sergeants Mark Watson and Ali Leigh from the 73 training Squadron 25 Training Regiment RLC to help raise the money we have set for our target.
I am so grateful to all the participants for volunteering to run and help raise the profile and money for BASICS. A huge thank you in advance from me for any donations that you should make, and who knows if one day we need the services of BASICS.
WOW you did a great job both runners and donators a huge thank you from me Tracey Taylor Community Liaison Co-ordinator here at John Lewis Southampton and a huge thank you from BASICS Hampshire
Keep reading comments from our runners:
A big thank you to all our sponsors we are now a B I G G E R step closer to our target thanks to your generosity.
19/10/09 - Jo Reed
15/10/09 - James Leedham
"Just over a week to go, and the training is going well. I had a bad
spell about 2 weeks ago, simply because my shoes weren't very good,
and were causing the outside edges of both feet to ache a lot. I
missed a few days training because of that, but I've since bought some
much better shoes and my running has improved substantially thanks to
them. As I'd planned, I'm doing about 3.5 miles daily and a 5 or 6
mile every 2 or 3 days. Hope everyone else is doing well and I look
forward to seeing you all on race day!"
15/10/09 - Paula Allen
Update on training
Had a good week so far. Having a good week so far. On Monday, I did some sprints with friends which is great for cardiovascular traninig. Wednesday night I went for a 6 mile hilly run which went well. I plan to do my long run this weekend followed by a short run on monday so, so far so good!
14/10/09 - Tanya Weakley
06/10/09 - Mark Venables
I'm the opposite from Tanya - reasonably happy with the number of runs but haven't really run far enough
From Friday 25 Sep to yesterday (11 days) I have done 7 runs - 5 x 4 miles, a 5 mile and a 2 mile. I am off this Friday and may push up to 6 - doing 10 mins per mile but still walking a bit to get the heart rate down - tough tough tough!!
Bought new trainers yesterday (thanks Tanya!) so may have more spring in my step!
Good luck all with your training this week!
06/10/09 - Tanya Weakely
01/10/09 - Mark Venables
A training update from me......
Pleased to report things have picked up in the last few days. On Friday, Sunday and Tuesday I have run in Kent, Suffolk and nearer home, topping the 4 mile mark each time. It feels a little easier but all things are relative and it's still hard going!! Glad of a change in temparature as Suffolk (at my parents in law) was 22c when I went out in the middle of the day. Need to reach peak mileage over 20 next week and similar the week after - then this old boy will be as ready as I ever will be. Thanks to the fab response on sponsorship, it helps so much to have this support!!
28/09/09 - Tanya Weakley
28/09/09 - James Leeham
25/09/09 - Paula Allen
Along with two/three runs per week, ranging from a short and long runs, I also train with GET FIT 121 in Winchester. They are a team of ex-marines who push you to reach your goals. The classes are outside and are designed to your fitness levels. You are required to push yourself to the highest levels out of your confort zone. They take place outside in circuit based training working all your vital areas.
24/09/09 - Mark Venables - Training update
Great comments/tips from Mark. I can't match these in terms of achievement but here is where I am 'warts and all'
The come back trail is proving really really hard!! I have done 3 marathons and my PB for 10 miles is 65 minutes. However that was 15 years ago with very little running since. I briefly re-entered the running scene 4 years ago but my time of 2:11 for a 1/2 marathon really shows how far I had filled out and slowed down!! Mark rightly recommends a goal and mine is sub 2 hours. So far, I am miles (literally) behind schedule. I am running most days but just can't keep going. My head says it should be getting eaisier by now - my body is telling something very different!
Still - over 4 weeks to go and I'm clinging to the thought that Eddie Izzard trained for 5 weeks and then did 42 marathons! Over the next two weeks I need to move up from 3 miles to at least 6
On a bright note, no injuries and I am grateful for this goal - without it I would have given up by now!! I am about to mail shot my family/friends and JL contacts so am hopeful the promises will start rolling in!!! Running with all the pledges for such a great cause should be enough to get through!!
Claire - Thank you for your donation from listening to our runners I am sure we have raised in the region of £500 so far - WOW.
23/09/09 - Mark Watson - useful tips:
Thank you Adrain and Lisa for your donations we are on our way now to reaching our £2000 goal and thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.
