Done something a bit silly....

[OverWyreGrower]

I've managed to volunteer myself (and Mr OWG) to run the BUPA Great Manchester 10K Run in May this year, on behalf of the Lymphoma Association.

Well, that sounds great, you might say, and you'd be right!

However, I don't do exercise, have a general fitness level of zero and haven't done any form of running since I skipped every PE lesson at school!

So far, we have run 2 miles on Sunday, and 1.8 miles last night. We've got a training programme to follow that will hopefully see us complete a mile in 10 minutes, meaning that we might complete the whole race in an hour *crosses fingers*

We're supporting the Lymphoma Association because of my sister's cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma). This is the second time she has had it, and she is only 27. She's now onto having clinical trials because the conventional treatment isn't working.

So, what I'm really saying is that I'd be very, very grateful if any of you kind Grapes could see your way to sponsoring us, so that the torture of training isn't all in vain!

Our link is: Shelley Watson Runs 10K - justgiving.com

[jackie j]

You go girl well done you must have felt like doing it or you wouldnt have volunteered in the first place.

[HeyWayne]

Crikey - I thought doing the London to Brighton was mad, but this takes the biscuit, and runs with it.

Good luck.

[Two_Sheds]

We've got a training programme to follow

That's sensible.
Need any advice? I'll give it anyway
Don't over-train, make sure you have proper running shoes (not gym shoes), run on the tarmac road (facing traffic natch), not the concrete pavements, set small goals.

Um, and take an iPod (you know that bit )

Best of British xx

[kirsty b]

Good for you Shelley! You'll be grand I'm sure and you'll be surprised how quickly your fitness level builds up. And its a fab cause.

I have been training for our walk of Hadrians Wall the past few weeks, starting off with a fitness level of zero too. I can now walk 8 miles (without a single ache after) at a speed of about 2-3 miles per hour. Moving up to 10 soon.

[bobleponge]

10 miles per hour Kirsty?? Your nails!!!

Shelley, thats a wonderful cause, very close to my heart. Good luck and all the best.
I would echo TS's advice, take your time with your exercise. A lot of people are bouyed up with the idea, after having taken the plunge, and head off into the sunset, with their new trainers on, and end up injured.

Do plenty of warming up and stretching before you start, and then do plenty of warming down and stretching when you've finished, no matter how long/short your intended run is. It really will pay dividends.

Its only late February, so you have 2 full months, over 9 weeks to prepare. That means, in basic terms, that you have a week to advance a km, which doesnt sound anything like as bad as running 10 of the things in one go. If you can already run 2 miles without stopping, then you are already a third of the way.

My one tip would be that if you can already run for 20 minutes, then perhaps aim for a longer run every week, traditionaly the Sunday run, however you already have your training plan, so good luck.

[Glutton4...]

Good for you! We have a friend who had Hodgkins in his twenties, he managed to beat it and has been clear for twenty years, but it's always there in the back of his mind, I guess. I hope your Sister is a fighter, and all turns out well. You energetic Grapes are keeping me poor - but it's all for such fantastic and worthwhile causes. I will sponsor you just as soon as my PayPal account has recovered from sponsoring Wayne!

[kirsty b]

[QUOTE=bobleponge;616674]10 miles per hour Kirsty?? Your nails!!!

QUOTE]

Cor - no way. Just read that post back, what I meant was upping to 10 mile distances. 10mph??? I'd have no feet left

My sadistic sis has decided it would be a good thing for the group to try a long distance day together, and she is mapping out a route round Rutland Water for us to walk in a day. This would include a stop off for lunch halfway.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Good luck Shelley! Know you can do it chuck! Big tail wags from Dexy.

[OverWyreGrower]

Thanks everyone!

Went out for a run last night (3rd of the week), in the rain and managed to do 2 miles, AND knock a minute off our time for it.

Ok, so it still took 29 minutes to do, but I'm really chuffed with it!

My 'proper' running trainers/shoes should arrive in the next week, so that should be even better. Mr OWG's have already arrived, and he says he thinks he could do a marathon in them

Onwards and upwards!