Hi,
After taking up running in 2009 I have decided to give myself a challenge to complete 12 races in the 12 months of 2010, this means I need to complete an organised running race in each calendar month with all donations going to Meningitis Research.
I contracted Meningitis Septiceamia almost 9 years ago and was rushed to hosipital on Boxing Day 2001, I became seriously ill in a matter of hours and I was placed on life support machine in Monklands hospital whilst my family were told to prepare for the worst. Thankfully I pulled through and I am one of the few lucky people who has managed to walk away fully recovered from this terrible illness. I am doing this challenge to raise money for Menigitis Research who want to raise the awareness of this disease and educate people on how they can spot the symptoms and react quickly as well as raising funds to carry out medical research to help eradicate this illness for good.
Here is the challenges I will be taking on:
JAN
I completed the Great Winter Run 4k in Edinburgh. The conditions were freezing, uphill and in the snow but good winter fun!
Time : 28 mins
FEB
Whilst holidaying in New York, I completed the 4 mile Grid Iron race in Central Park with the NY Road Runners Club. This was fab and it was a real experience to run in such an iconic place. Again, very cold - the temperature on race day was -10 degrees celcius.
Time : 42 mins
MAR
The Deerstalker. 5k (and a bit!!!!) of sheer uphill climbs, muddy bogs, tunnels, cargo nets, scree slopes and pain whilst dressed up as Pride and Prejudice. A great laugh but a tough race.
Time : 2h 4 min
APR
The Balfron10k. An out and back race on idyllic country roads but very very hilly. Nevertheless a very good run in a very scenic setting although the hills took a bit of a toll on my time. A good race experience with a demanding course!
Time : 1h 7 min 53 sec. (PB)
MAY
The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run 10k. A city centre run starting and finishing in Holyrood park. A great course getting the hills out the way in the first half and the sunny weather brought meant there was fantastic crowds cheering us on. A great race with a great course!
Time : 1h 7 min 13 sec. (PB)
MAY
Ignis Management Glasgow Women's 10k. Starting and finishing at Bellahouston Park the route took us through the south side of Glasgow. This race had fantastic support from the local residents who were out in full force cheering with their home made water stations. A mostly flat course except from the hill in pollock park at the 6-7km mark meant I was able to keep my pace up and got another PB!
Time : 1h 5min 35 sec. (PB)
JUN
The Black Rock 5, Fife. The race starts in Kinghorn and has a nice easy start through the picturesque town and downhill to the beach. Once there you are onto the sand and at that's where the fun begins. Soft sand to start with then onto wet sand out to the black rock, then it's into the thigh high sea for a wade behind the rock, then out and onto the sand for the way back. Then it's up off the beach then uphill back to the finish remembering to keep just enough in the tank for the last lung busting climb at the end. Once done a big bottle of beer replaces the medal and it's back to the ship tavern for drinks and burgers. A brilliant race!
Time : 51 mins
JUN
The Jog Scotland 5k. Starting and finishing in Inverleith Park, this was a really well organised race on a hot Tuesday evening.
Time : 30 mins 13 sec (PB)
JUL
Rat Race Edinburgh. A team of 3 and a 2 hour time limit to run to as many check points and complete challenges to gain as many points as possible. Challenges included a karaoke challenge, one member of the team getting their hair shaved, and a half pipe stunt on a BMX bike. Unfortunately on the BMX stunt i took a bad fall but nevertheless I got back up and completed the race. Great event even although I was bruised for weeks after.
AUG
ERN LP Run, the aim was to run as far round a running track as possible in 33.3 minutes whilst listening to songs from 60s/70s/80s. Great event and i even won best dressed cake in the accompanying cake competition.
Distance - 5190m
SEP
Great Scottish Run Half Marathon. As usual an amazing atmosphere however this year I decided to take on the half and this would be the first time I would run the full 13.1 miles. As always the Kingston Bridge is a highlight and the support from the locals on the south side was fantastic. However when i hit Pollok park the sun came out and it heated up and there were more hills than i expected. My main aim was to keep going without walking and ! eventually made it to the end.
Time : 2h 45 min (PB)
East Neuk 10k. A local 10k in Anstruther, Fife. An out and back course along country tracks. Excellent local race event with free cake for runners after.
Time : 1h 5 min 54 sec
OCT
Scottish Kilomathon. The first Kilomathon (26.2km/16.3miles) in Scotland. Started and finished at the Royal Highland Center with running over the forth road bridge the highlight.
Time :3h 18 min (PB)
Men's Health Survival of the Fittest. Dressed as GI Jane, a 10km run with army style obstacles at each km with a 8 foot wall to climb over for a finish line. Laughed all the way round and def on the calender for next year!
Time:1h 29 min
NOV
Edinburgh Park Run. Nice out and back flat 5k at Crammond.
Time 29 min 34 sec (PB)
Dec
Challenge Scotland 5k, Inverleith Park. A christmas run through the park and thanks to the rent snow fall in Edinburgh this run had a real christmas feel if a but slippery underfoot.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO SPONSOR ME. REMEMBER TO KEEP CHECKING THIS PAGE FOR UPDATES ON HOW I AM DOING AND SEE PICS FROM MY RACES - EVEN IF I AM NOT LOOKING MY BEST IN THEM.
THANK YOU
LAURA
