'TIS DONE!

I was so thrilled to have done the event the photo was an after thought – rather glad the boys did not take any along the way…

 

One hour 3 mins and 39 secs – a personal best!

Ofer 56 mins – he was pleased as his target was under an hour.

 

And, I have to say I’m glad my first running ‘event’ is over – notice use of the word first.

 

I have learned many things:  Firstly, do not eat two scrambled eggs less than 3 hours before running (and in the case of Ofer, four, yes four, scrambled eggs). Secondly, do not rely on devices to get you through endurance tests – my iPOD threatened strike action a minute before kick off and I was in a restless and agitated state of anxiety and withdrawal and was thinking of crime to get hold of another one (the play list irrelevant – Pavlov’s dogs). Luckily, it resumed normal action after I stopped pressing the pause/play button like a maniac. Fourthly, note to self, don’t get self wound up into such a state of biochemical arousal that it takes the first lap to remember that it is the adrenaline talking, and that superwoman pace cannot be sustained further than 200 yards. Finally, for me it was quite a challenge – I had to push myself very hard – up there in my top 5 of hardest things yet. But! Running past a couple of ‘runners’ in wheelchairs, a voice inside remembered how lucky I am to be able to take part. “Its all relative Melinda, get over yourself”. Sounds harsh, but boy does it work!

 

Thanks for helping the charity – there were 1000 runners so that should help to provide research money in a dwindling climate. Thanks for helping me too. My support team was amazing and a couple of them are doing push ups in the kitchen right now - as a result of watching their mum they have decided to take part next year…

 

Got legs? Use ‘em.

 

 

 

 

 

SEND YOUR Valentine’s LOVE THIS WAY! 

The Love Run 10 km 

Finsbury Park Feb 12th 2011 

Celebrate Valentines by giving a little to charity (Action Duchenne) rather than Hallmark.....because, very foolishly (and currently regretfully) I have put a new physical challenge in front of myself this year. Moreover, I am much more worried about this one than I was about the 60 mile bike ride from London to Cambridge with a broken arm in 2009! (Just to remind you, yet again, I was the first woman to cross the finish line :-) 

This time I have no broken bones and the event is only 10km. So why am I so worried (hypothesised the Psychologist)?! Well, perhaps it is because I have always hated running and, until recently, I have never attempted to run further than 400 metres, despite being the daughter of an accomplished runner. Perhaps I am worried this time because I have found out about my slightly dicky cardiovascular system....and with chronic arthritis it hurts more to run than cycle (feeling moved to donate yet)?! Or perhaps, and most importantly (I am ashamed to say) I think my worry is about not coming first. Yes that’s it! Phew. That feels better already. (Please still feel moved to donate: not coming first is a bigger burden than arthritis)! 

My race number is 573, a self-fulfilling prophecy methinks. Perhaps I ought to try some mindful positive imagery or something clever and psychological.... 

Someone clever and psychological, and a source of support is my colleague Ofer Barr. Not in the least bit competitive (;-) he has allowed me to run behind him on several training runs and I expect the same to happen a week on Saturday. You may know that we both work for a superb and very busy Psychology Service in Islington called iCOPE. Another self-fulfilling prophecy?

Along with my boys, please cheer me on my way for Saturday and if you can't be there in person, you can always make a donation!  Your support will be also be very much appreciated, as when my body hurts and my head says "give up",  I will be able to remember that I simply have to complete the run for the sake of the donations I hope you will make.              

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? 

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration, eventually leading to paralysis and early death. This affects one in 3500 males, making it the most prevalent of muscular dystrophies. In general, only males are afflicted, though females can be carriers.

Thanks for taking the time to visit this JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.So please dig deep and donate now.