Reading Half Marathon!

Hey little blog! 

I know it's been a while again, but sooo much has been going on lately!

By far  the most challenging and scary, was taking part in my first ever race - Reading Half Marathon! As the main focus of my fundraising project '4mydadTony' (raising money to help people who suffer from MS like my dad) the BIG challenge is the Marathon in 2020 and I set myself the smaller challenge of running a Half Marathon in 2019!

Well, I'm pleased to say that I have now had my first experience of taking part in a Half Marathon and I loved it!!! 😄

I was really luck and grabbed a lift in with a friend (Paul) who was also taking part - he's done a few half marathons with his wife (who unfortunately was too poorly to take part this time round) so it was nice to be able to chat on the way - my anxiety had been growing steadily for weeks, as Reading is a place that I fear - it's too big, with too many people and too much noise, so I usually have panic attacks if I have to go there 😉

I met up with the ladies from the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre - the charity I was running for this time round. They took the following photo: 

just arrived at Madejski Stadium!

The ladies, Yvonne and Rachel, then came and joined me in the race village, where we chatted - mostly about pets, as I was picking Yvonne's brain about dogs as she's a dog groomer and behaviouralist (so awesome tips on good dog breeds for first time owners and families!) I was very grateful, as I had just broken my headphones, so would not be able to 'run' like i normally do with the music that calms my anxiety 😟

lining up in the Pink Zone, waiting to start!

Soon it was time to line up with all the other runners. I chatted to a lovely south african lady on the way to the Pink Zone (for the slowest runners, like me) who was giving me lots of tips and encouragement 😊

I met up with my friend Paul again and also another friend Nicky and we all walked and talked for the 35mins that it took to finally cross the start-line - we had started at the back of the Pink Zone you see, so with around 17,000 runners, it took a while for us to 'officially begin' 😉

As I can't technically 'run' (due to my spinal injury a few years ago) i was soon overtaken until i was the last person, power-walking as fast as I could. Unfortunately, all of the crowds and noise was too overwhelming for me and I had 2 panic attacks! I kept going though - helped along by a lovely bloke called Dave - who walked along beside me and gave me some tips and encouragement - he was impressed by my technique - arms swinging are a good thing apparently! He gave me some last quick tips before I got my head down and dug deep to get up the bloomin' big hill that I had come upto!

Well, I managed as best I could to keep going, but after 6 miles, when I was on the road leading upto the University, a decision was made to scoop me up. Just before that happened, the safety guy Andy, has shot past me to head off a car that was coming my way! I still have no idea how the driver got past all of the road blocks, but very grateul  to Andy.

It was Andy who suggested that for my safety and so that I didn't get lost when I made it to un-maned stations, I agreed to get onto the 'sweeper' van - I did cry at the guy from the van, Steve, as I was so desperate to complete the race, as it was for charity. He agreed that I could get out and complete the last mile, which I was happy with, so I sat back and enjoyed the ride, whilst sipping the Lucozade Steve had given me.

It was a good laugh on the Sweeper Van - Steve had marshalled races up in Nottingham for years (I am def going to look into doing that one!) and the driver Carol had also helped in a few races as well. We picked up a poor guy who had twisted his ankle, and enjoyed cheering on the runners just infront of us - I nicknamed them the 'pink ladies'  (they had those posh walking pole thingies and all had pink tops) there was 'grandad' a guy who was older, wearing a yellow top and then Jaqueline who was doing a great job too!

My back started to cause me problems, sitting in the van, so I begged Steve to let me out, so that I could walk the rest of the way. I asked if I could keep pace with 'grandad' would that be ok and he agreed. The injured guy decided to hop out too, so that we could both do the final 3 miles of the race.

Well, as Andy in the black safety car said t pick up the pace, I soon shot past 'Grandad' down the rod next to Prospect Park, onto the A4 and round the corner, keeping up with the others, when I stopped. There was no way that I was going to let 'Grandad' walk across that finish line all on his own! So, I started walking back to him and caucght up with him - there was a bit of confusion and worry that I wasn't ok, but I just kept to his pace and explained how lonely I had been at the back for the first 6 miles, so didn't want that for him. 

Turns out his name was John, he was 79 and this was his 20th and final race! He gave me some great tips, like the 'traffic light' focus - spy one in the distance, then keep your head down and when you look up again you can be really happy that it's loads closer! I kept pace with him and there was a lot of 'Left, left, left right left' and 'come on John, we've got this' which helped keep both of us moving! 😊  He held my hand for the final mile and that was how we crossed the finish line! Magic moment!

I was surprised that I was still allowed a medal, even though I only completed just over 9 miles, but overjoyed doesn't do justice to how happy I was to finish! 

What a difference 'belief in yourself' makes!

I can't believe it is now nearly 5 months since I made my life-changing decision to join the world of Forever and what a whirlwind journey it has been so far!

I can't believe how much I have managed to push myself, way beyond my 'comfort zone!' So I just wanted to share a few of the things that I have managed to do - not all of them are 'work' related either! Some of these things would have been absolutely impossible for me to do back in November 2017!

I have driven to Eastleigh on my own (about an hours drive!)
I have travelled to London on the train and managed to navigate the underground without having a panic attack!
I have driven to Southampton on my own!
I have driven to Milton Keynes on my own!
I have attended training events, with others and on my own!
I have spoken to people on skype and video calls!! That one was HUGE!!
I have started up conversations with complete strangers!
I have asked friends questions and extra questions, even when every fibre of my body was screaming at me that 'this really isn't a good idea' and that 'people will get annoyed at you! You're being bothersome!'
I have started learning again and I'm loving it!
I have set myself MASSIVE GOALS, which I WILL achieve!
I have decided to stop listening to the people at Universal Credits when they tell me that my little business isn't 'gainful employment' and basically that I am going to fail!
I have been strong for my family when all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry my eyes out!
I have had lots of fun and so many laughs!
I have met some truly AMAZING and inspirational people, whose passion for health and wellness is just infectious!
I have started back on my 'day zero project' which has been a lot of fun!
I finally feel like a 'real' mum!
I took care of my kids and my dad for a whole week while my mum was on a carers break (no one got food poisoning either!!)
I have found my purpose in life!
I have begun the process of re-connecting with people
I am working on a good work-life balance
I have had fun times with my kids - mini holidays, swimming fun, mammoth games of monopoly, trips to the lakes and sooo much more!
I even occasionally answer the house phone when it rings!
I have stayed strong when my Little Man has been on an emotional roller-coaster!
I even managed a few morning school runs!
I have started drinking aloe vera gel!
I have made contact with a personal trainer
I have booked a style 'make over' session, to learn how to dress for my shape and proportions - as I am totally clueless!
I have started making jewellery again!
I have found new friends through the League of Extraordinary Penpals!
I have prioritised things in my life - and watching TV has taken a back-seat a lot of the time!
I have found 'myself' again, after 5 long years of struggling and feeling lost!

I can't believe the difference a little self-belief with a smidgen of self-worth thrown in, has made!

My new BIG GOAL!

Hello little blog!

I am sooo excited about my latest challenge I decided to set myself, that I just had to share with you all!

One of the things that I have been encouraged to do since joining the Forever family is to set myself some goals!
To start off with I set myself the challenge to earn £200 in profits a month. I created a lovely dream-board so that I could have a visual reminder of what I am working for. It had things like new clothes (some of mine are older than Little Man and he'll be 9 in July!) new trainers and boots, plus things like family fun days out and saving up for our first family pet - a rescue dog or puppy! 😄

Although the motivation was sort of there, after a flying start in December, I had quite a quiet January and February. I didn't really have that burning desire to achieve those targets. It didn't really matter enough whether I hit them or not.

Well, over the course of one weekend back in February, all of that changed!
I went to a networking breakfast with my sponsor on the Friday at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. It was my first ever 'event' and I got talking to lots of different people, plus ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in ages (small world!!) it was really good fun!

One of the guest speakers was absolutely AMAZING! He spoke about how he set out to run a marathon to honour his father who had sadly passed away. He was just so inspirational and down to earth! I just got one of his books through the post today 'The Unnatural Networker' by Charlie Lawson - can't wait to start reading it!!

The very next day my sponsor and I headed off to a Success Event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry! I HAD THE BEST DAY EVER!!!
Throughout the day we were given top tips and ideas to help us run our businesses, but by far the best bits of the day were getting to see the FBOs (Forever Business Owners) walking across the stage to receive their awards for all their hard work! There were people who had made it to Manager Level; there were people who were being recognised for their recruitment achievements; our top manager of the team I am part of was the number 8 business there!! Amazing day!
I also loved to hear the stories and journeys of some of the top FBOs in the UK - every story was unique, but all showed that with hard work and consistency, EVERYTHING is possible!

Well when I got home and started to process some of the information I had experienced over those two events, I suddenly realised what my WHY was! The reason WHY I needed to get up and do some work every single day! I couldn't believe that I hadn't thought of it before! My WHY was my DAD!!

For those of you who don't know, my dad has MS. He was diagnosed when I was around 16 years old (I just turned 36 😉) and he has been extremely lucky in that his MS has been very slow progressing.
The last few years has seen a dramatic change though; he's now wheelchair bound completely, is hoisted in and out of bed and has carers to help him morning and night.

The one place he still struggles the most is having to  transfer using a plastic 'banana board' so that he can get in and out of the car. Then either I or my mum have to get his heavy wheelchair into the boot of the car (he's 6ft 4, so has an extra large wheelchair to accommodate his long legs, bless him!)
It's not the easiest task - much harder for mum who has mobility issues of her own and I worry a lot about her struggling with dad's wheelchair when I'm not there.

So, inspired by Charlie Lawson's story, I decided that I was going to raise money to buy my dad a WAC (Wheelchair Accessible Car) From all of the amazing people I had heard from that weekend, I knew that I was going to have to do something BIG if I was going to achieve this! So, I have set myself the challenge of running in a MARATHON in 2020!! Not only that, but I am going to run in the Reading Half Marathon in 2019!

This may not seem like a big deal to lots of you, but what you have to bear in mind is that currently I am a couch potato! I am 19stone 10 (horrifying to actually admit that!!) and wear size 24 clothes!
I like to see this as another step in my 'get fitter and feel better' challenge that I have embarked upon this year. Also if I don't reach my goal amount (around £22K - I'm not doing anything by halves me heehee!) at least I will be a damn sight fitter than I am now! 😄

I have already taken steps to get me going!
I have started making healthier choices in my food intake - I figure good 'fuel' will help me more than just eating whatever - celery and carrots are now my new 'best friends!' 😉
I have also booked myself an appointment to see a personal trainer, as with the spinal injury I got a few years back, I know I need to be careful with what training I do!

So, if you're local to me, don't be surprised to see me puffing (and probably sweating - sorry if TMI!!) to the lakes and back - prob 2-3 times a week!

Wish me luck! Hugs xxx