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I've cycled since I was a child, but my running career only started last summer when I wanted to stay active on holiday, but couldn't take my bike on the plane.  My daughter Sabrina offered to take me running instead, so I bought a cheap pair of running shoes to see whether I liked it.

I didn't mind it half as much as I thought I would, so I carried on accompanying Sabrina on her runs at weekends.  When Sabrina raised her mileage training for the Reading  Half Marathon, I kept with her, and eventually I realised that I was effectively training for it as well and may as well enter. 

The event is on 17 March 2019, so not much longer to train.  I've managed a 12 mile run two weeks before, and although intended to do 13 a week before the event, only managed 7.  Time to tapper the training down, just hoping I can mange the event on the day.

I do not regard myself as a natural runner; at school I wouldn't run unless forced, and before last summer, the only time I willing put on a pair of running shoes was at university, and ended in my throwing up after half a mile.  I have stopped smoking since then, and improved my fitness by commuting on a bicycle.  However running uses completely different muscles to cycling, and there is a fair degree of pain and stiffness from changing discipline.  And my knees and ankles aren't used to the pummelling.  I required a new pair of running shoes to cushion my the impacts from running and prevent the pain in my ankles becoming too severe; I never realised how expensive a pair of plastic should could be!

I wanted a wider benefit from my effort, pain and expense than my own self gratification, and specifically I wanted to fund raise for my local church (for which I am treasurer), which is planning to build a new washroom and toilet facility later this year.

St Botolph's Swyncombe is approaching it's 1000 year anniversary.  It stands in a rural location on the Ridgeway, and the community for which it was originally built has mainly moved up the hill to hamlets at Cookley Green, Park Corner, Christmas Common and Russells Water, and there are no facilities near the church that can be used by church goers or visitors.

In the modern age, toilet facilities are expected at all public buildings, and the lack of these facilities was beginning to hinder full use of the church building.  The PCC confirmed through a canvassing of parishioners that the facility was wanted, prepared plans, achieved planning consent, and are currently awaiting for approval from the Diocese.  Details about the facility will shortly be put on the website http://www.st-botolphs-swyncombe.info/

The facility will be a self contained washroom and store at the west end of the church in the graveyard.  it will cost about £65,000, and will be funded through fund raising, grant giving organisations as well as from reserves.  I am hoping that my efforts will start the ball rolling ahead of other initiatives that the Washroom Fund Raising Committee are currently considering.

Please give generously to help us keep St Botolph's open for the next 1000 years.

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