I wanted to do this for my colleague and friend Helle, who is currently battling this awful disease, but I also wanted to do it for myself. All signed up for the gym I started my journey with a little help from the couch to 5km app. Being a bigger girl, running is the last thing I want to do (especially running in front of people), whether it be at the gym or on the street or around a park. It hurts, it’s sweaty and frankly unattractive, but I wanted to do it so badly for Helle, for the thousands of others who need the help, and also for myself.
As the weeks went on, running became easier and my exercise-induced asthma went away. “I can actually do this!” I thought, until I hit the wall. I couldn’t improve anymore and so my motivation started to wane. I went to the gym less and started to make excuses about why I couldn’t do it. I was annoyed and disappointed at myself for another failed attempt at weight loss and thought I wouldn’t be able to run 5km. What was I thinking in signing up for something like this? Just wing it, I thought as the day approached fast.
The big day came, and I was surprisingly excited!. I got to Richmond park and met up with colleagues and spectators. The vibe was great! It was so good to see people from work and their families here to support not just us, but Helle too.
The event was the London Descent Duathlon and we entered 7 seven work teams into the relay. I was part of a team of three, each completing a section of the race: 10km run, 44km cycle and my section, the 5km run at the end. The 10km runners set off at 10:15am, and the rest of us moved to spectate at the final stretch before the finish line. We waited patiently to see our runners come by. One by one they came past, tagging in the next member in their team; the 44km bike riders. Two hours later it was my turn and I started to get nervous. I went to the transition area and waited for my biker to finish up, so we could high five and I could start the last leg of the relay.
It was a beautiful warm afternoon as I set off, running along the grass up onto the road which snaked around the park, before cutting through the middle. The route then conveniently continued over a hill. Exhausted already, I slowed to a fast walk up and over the hill, stopping at one point just to admire the park and the huge stag I could see through the trees! We were so lucky with the weather and location of this run. 3km down 2km to go. I jogged down the hill using the momentum to carry me. Running is something I really do not like but, in this moment, I did start to enjoy it.
Walk. Run. Walk. Run the next kilometre, trying to conserve the little energy I had left for the final stretch. As I came to the last kilmetre, I could see my colleagues standing along the track waiting for me, as I approached, they started to shout and wave, giving me that needed push to keep going. I was surprised that once I could see the finish line, my body wanted to stop and suddenly I felt very heavy. Staggering over the line, I was given a medal, water and a banana. I did it! I thought, as I slowly made my way over to my colleagues.
It’s an incredible feeling hearing your name being called from the side lines, to have all that support behind you and knowing you are doing this for someone who needs it.
The day was fantastic; good weather, great location and the best support team ever. This experience has made me want to do more surprisingly, and even a week later I am still buzzing!
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