Mark's Pitlochry 10K - Geoff Goldstraw's Challenge
Mark Holloway is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support
Participants: Mark Holloway
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
To tell the story of why I’m running the Pitlochry 10k in September 2010, I have to go back to the middle of the winter just past.
At 50+ overweight, very unfit and asthmatic I accepted a challenge from Geoff Goldstraw, the owner of the farm where my wife & I keep our horses to run the Pitlochry 10k this September. Initially I declined his 'kind' suggestion, Actually, if I remember correctly, I think the second word was 'off'. However the more I thought about it, the more I decided to take him up on his challenge. The gauntlet was accepted the following day. With a little side bet, the last home buys the beers!
This Race is my first ever 10k and my first 'serious' race in over 25 years.
My journey to fitness has not been an easy one as firstly I broke a couple of ribs in a ‘silly’ riding accident, and was out for 7/8 weeks and latterly Medial Ligament damage to my right knee put me out of action for a further 10 weeks+.
Even with these setbacks I’m now in excess of 2.5 stones lighter, substantially fitter and will be ready to complete the Race at the end September. I might come in last but i will complete it!
Firstly I would like to thank my wife Christine for her unwavering support, and encouragement, especially when things got tough after both the above Accidents. She has been a tower of strength here. You know how much that support has meant to me! Thank you.
I also couldn’t have got to this point without the help of 2 invaluable people:-
Good friends, Jackie & Alan Clinch, of Scottish School of Professional Massage, Peebles, who have taken me under their respective wings to devise both nutritional and fitness plans to keep me on the right path to fitness. (Now I can't actually remember what a Mars Bar tastes like! And as for Fish and Chips…………..). Their guidance and planning has been invaluable in getting me to the level of fitness I now have. A very grateful and heartfelt thanks to you, ‘Coach’!
However my journey doesn’t stop there, as an inducement or threat to my actually completing the race, I decided that if I was to get fit and run then a worthy Charity should benefit from my, now, not insubstantial efforts.
I have chosen Macmillan Cancer Support as my Charity. My father in law, Josef, died of cancer just over 9 years ago. Macmillan Nurses made his last weeks much more comfortable than they otherwise would have been, and the work Macmillan Nurses undertake with immediate family is absolutely phenomenal!
I will be running in memory of Josef and it will be an honour and a privilege to wear the Macmillan Green Vest.
Please give as generously as you can.
With grateful thanks,
Mark.