Jack Holland
Jack's Half Marathon Run
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
A big thanks to all those people who sponsored me and especially to Dorling who agreed to run the half marathon with me. Please, if you were planning to sponsor me and didn't get round to it before the race, don't be put off from doing it now! The race itself went well. I finished! And more than that, I came in in 1 hour 35 mins, which is twenty-five minutes quicker than my original aim and ten minutes quicker than I suspected I might be able to do it on the day! More importantly, it's raised a fair amount of money for Cancer Research UK and I ache more than I knew was possible thus justifying your expense! Thanks again...
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Anybody here for the first time, see below! For any returners, a quick update! Well, I started off training pretty well, racking up twenty to thirty miles a week on average... But have since had a few knee problems - too much footy in my youth I think. Nevertheless, despite easing off the training a bit my furthest run to date is about 12 miles, so I'm close to the half-marathon distance now. Last Sunday also saw my first ever race post-high-school! It was the Leamington 10km and I finished in 43 mins 7secs, which is a pretty awesome time especially for a novice - I'm chuffed! The photo from the day is up on here now and despite looking rather cool in my Matrix-style glasses the later pics show me scowling as the pain kicked in... I was also not so impressed that a number of 'old people' (60 is old!) and women were much quicker than me. The winning lady, from Kenya, finished 8 minutes ahead of me!! I learnt a lot of useful things from the race though, such as that getting up at 7 to force food down your neck on Sunday isn't easy, and that the start of the race is best described as a 'bundle'. I could probably also get away with starting a bit nearer the front - I got stuck on narrow bridleway early on which was frustrating. This, combined with an uphill start, meant I ran a 'negative split' = faster in the last 5k than the first. I'm assured that this is a good sign, as is the fact I felt OK at the end... less reassuring is that I'm writing this three days later and still groan every time I have to get out of a chair... But, despite the aches and stiffness, I was pleased to do it!
Unfortunately anything that takes over an hour I still really struggle with... so I'm still aiming first for completion and second for under two hours in Stratford. It's only two and a half weeks away now, so wish me luck but more importantly sponsor me! And thanks to all who have done so far - it's a really great cause that deals with something way too many people already know about. Thanks again.
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Why I don't want to do this:
I don't exercise enough.
I drink too much.
I am really fond of curry.
And ale.
There is a lot of dog poo by the canal.
Why I want to do this:
To raise money for Cancer Research UK.
I don't exercise enough.
I drink too much.
I am really fond of curry.
And ale.
But nope, I'm still put off by the dog poo.
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Chances are you already know one or more people who have been affected by cancer, which is one of the reasons I've decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK. There's a lot of info on their website, but this is quite good.
I will (attempt!) to run the Shakespeare half marathon in Stratford this April. It's 13 miles (21kms), which I aim to complete in about two hours, but will be ecstatic to just complete! I will be running with (probably several yards behind) Chris Dorling, who is raising money for Leukemia and making sure I lay off the curry...
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. So please sponsor me now!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anybody here for the first time, see below! For any returners, a quick update! Well, I started off training pretty well, racking up twenty to thirty miles a week on average... But have since had a few knee problems - too much footy in my youth I think. Nevertheless, despite easing off the training a bit my furthest run to date is about 12 miles, so I'm close to the half-marathon distance now. Last Sunday also saw my first ever race post-high-school! It was the Leamington 10km and I finished in 43 mins 7secs, which is a pretty awesome time especially for a novice - I'm chuffed! The photo from the day is up on here now and despite looking rather cool in my Matrix-style glasses the later pics show me scowling as the pain kicked in... I was also not so impressed that a number of 'old people' (60 is old!) and women were much quicker than me. The winning lady, from Kenya, finished 8 minutes ahead of me!! I learnt a lot of useful things from the race though, such as that getting up at 7 to force food down your neck on Sunday isn't easy, and that the start of the race is best described as a 'bundle'. I could probably also get away with starting a bit nearer the front - I got stuck on narrow bridleway early on which was frustrating. This, combined with an uphill start, meant I ran a 'negative split' = faster in the last 5k than the first. I'm assured that this is a good sign, as is the fact I felt OK at the end... less reassuring is that I'm writing this three days later and still groan every time I have to get out of a chair... But, despite the aches and stiffness, I was pleased to do it!
Unfortunately anything that takes over an hour I still really struggle with... so I'm still aiming first for completion and second for under two hours in Stratford. It's only two and a half weeks away now, so wish me luck but more importantly sponsor me! And thanks to all who have done so far - it's a really great cause that deals with something way too many people already know about. Thanks again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why I don't want to do this:
I don't exercise enough.
I drink too much.
I am really fond of curry.
And ale.
There is a lot of dog poo by the canal.
Why I want to do this:
To raise money for Cancer Research UK.
I don't exercise enough.
I drink too much.
I am really fond of curry.
And ale.
But nope, I'm still put off by the dog poo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chances are you already know one or more people who have been affected by cancer, which is one of the reasons I've decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK. There's a lot of info on their website, but this is quite good.
I will (attempt!) to run the Shakespeare half marathon in Stratford this April. It's 13 miles (21kms), which I aim to complete in about two hours, but will be ecstatic to just complete! I will be running with (probably several yards behind) Chris Dorling, who is raising money for Leukemia and making sure I lay off the curry...
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. So please sponsor me now!