Why I'm running for Mind - Part 1

Welcome back!

I want to give you a quick update before I go into the main subject of my blog tonight.

I've been out for a run tonight and completed 3.25 miles in 45 mins 47 seconds. I purposefully took it easy tonight as I want to build my pace back up again properly so i can get into a race pace for the day and be comfortable with it. I'm still run/walk but I'm able to run consistently for a lot longer now. I ran the fist 1/4 mile at a very steady pace and I'm building on that. Very happy with it too.

I enjoyed it tonight, I bought a new running vest to make myself more comfortable in the heat and drove along to the coast to make it a little easier for me and my hay fever. I suffer from it quite badly and have taken my inhaler more in two weeks than I have in the last two years!! It isn't making running easy and the standard I was up to a month ago has disappeared in the pollen count! I'm working on it!

The subject for my blog tonight is to share with you the reasons I have chosen to run in aid of Mind.

A very dear friend of mine suffers from Depression and has been very kind to share with us a bit of background and her experiences. May I introduce to you Kelly Brownell, she is an exceptionally talented singer/songwriter based in County Durham, I hope you take the time to read her story.

"Where do I begin? At the start I suppose. As a child I always had mood swings which, as I have got older have increased in severity. I remember often feeling a complete loss of control even as a young child.
Looking back over my school years, I can see the patterns of depression, though at the time I did not know that was what it was. Though it was not that long ago - I left school in 1998 - there was little to no help for children and young people suffering from depression / social anxiety. Thankfully things are improving dramatically.

At 17 I had my first panic attack. I didn't know what was happening. I couldn't breath, I thought I was having a heart attack. My whole body was shaking and I lost the feeling in my legs.
My mum took me to A&E where I was told by a rather ignorant nurse that I was just hyperventilating and to go home, take paracetamol and go to sleep.
A trip to the doctors the next day told me that what I had experienced was a panic attack, though no help was offered.

A year later I had a breakdown while at university. I dropped out of uni, got into lots if debt buying things to try and make myself feel better and eventually ended up staying in bed for weeks at a time. At which point because I wasn't earning money I had to move back home.

It wasn't until the age of 25, that I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety and was offered medication. Things started to improve from there. I have got a good job and the company is very supportive of my mental health. They paid for me to go to a private clinic and receive CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which I found amazing for my anxiety. Since having CBT I have rarely had a full blown panic attack.
My mental health continues to fluctuate as it always will. I had a lot of difficulty trying to find the correct medication for me. I think I have found one that works, which is a big help.

To get up to date, I am now 30 years old and I am still struggling. One of the worst things for someone with mental illness is isolation. A lot of people do not wish to discuss it because of the stigma attached, however, not talking is how we lose good people, as I lost one of my dear friends last year. I am a strong believer that we should be talking and that we need to end the stigma attached to mental illness. Most of all, we need to make people aware of the difference a simple text message can make to someone who has such inner torment.

I am currently due to begin treatment with a psychiatrist known as CAT (cognitive analytical therapy) I am hopeful that this will help.

I am very proud that Chrissy has chosen Mind as her charity for the GNR. We need to raise awareness and charities like Mind do such good work and save lives.

Good luck Chrissy xxxxx"

Thank you so much for your kind words Kelly, I really hope the CAT makes a difference for you.

If you would like to hear some of Kelly's music you can through the following links:
Kelly Brownell Music
Kelly's YouTube Video

Please sponsor me for the Great North Run; you can do so by clicking on Mind Charity
Follow Mind on Twitter @MindCharity visit their website Mind
Follow me on Twitter @79bobbin

Thanks for reading!

Just keep running, just keep running!

Chrissy
:-)

Starting my Great North Run Training

Welcome back!

So this morning I've been to get my hair done and decided to call into Starbucks before work to update you all on my journey.

I'm feeling rather glam as I sit here with my Chai Tea Latte and panini with my hair all fancy, with my little bluetooth keyboard and tablet.... the wonders of modern technology!

This week is the start of my official half marathon training, only thing is that thing we call 'life' has interrupted proceedings this week somewhat. My training schedule started yesterday however very inconveniently our washing machine decided to pack in on Friday forcing me to sit in and wait for the new one before work yesterday.

I was scheduled also to run today, however needs must and as we are attending a wedding in 3 weeks my hair was in most desperate need of a chop.
So alas I will run on my next scheduled day of Friday morning which consists of a 30 min easy run. I reckon I should cover around 2 miles in that time so I have my route planned in my head.

I've been very good, I've updated my diary with all my scheduled runs so I always know what I should be doing and when. I've even planned in a long 8 mile run the week we're away on holiday in Dorset - I've gone so far as to map it out!

You can tell I'm on a mission, I'm determined not to be last to finish the run but I also just want to finish standing up. We'll see if I can start to maintain my average pace when I start to do my longer runs at the end of August!

There was one thing I did want to bring to your attention as Stephen Fry has been back in the news with a reaction to the support he has had since his recent suicide attempt and his openness discussing Bipolar. I hope very soon to hear from a close friend who is going to share with us her experiences with Bipolar.

You can read the recent article on the BBC News Website by clicking HERE

If you have not been reading my blog so far, may I first say Welcome! I am running the Great North Run this year in aid of Mind the mental health charity who are there to offer support and put people with any mental health issue in touch with people who can help.

The one thing I took away from the above article is that it is very important to know that although you may feel lonely or alone, you are not alone in feeling alone. I use those exact words as Stephen Fry so articulately phrased it.

I hope to very soon update you with my progress in running. I'm really working on my nemesis. Hills. 

I have no doubt in my next blog you will here how much I hate them, but it is something I really must work on as John Reid Rd at the last 2 miles of the half marathon is a steady incline lasting for a mile and a half!!

I hope you come back to follow my progress please sponsor me via my charity webpage - Chrissyrunsin2013
You can also follow me on twitter @79bobbin

Thank you for reading!

Just keep running, just keep running!

Chrissy

Great North 10k

Welcome back!

Well it's been a while since I blogged but to be fair nothing has really happened until yesterday.

I did the Bupa Great North 10k yesterday which is my first big race since I started to train properly. I have done a 10k in the past but I did no training for it at all and did it in just under 2 hours!

Last week I decided to take some rest days, other runners may not have taken the same approach but at my stage in training I felt it was important. I do think it paid off, though I wish I had gone out for shorter runs to to keep warmed up as it were.

Before the race I made sure I was prepared though a strong allergic reaction to a cat the night before left my lungs a bit worse for wear. I chose to just ignore it, take my inhalers and take the run easy. I was nervous though I was trying not to think about it.

I was nervous about toilet stops, heartburn, stitches, shin splints, falling over.... you name it I couldn't stop myself.
I was having very strange dreams the night before. The one I can remember is that I forgot everything, my phone, money, running belt, drinks, tissues, head phones.

I had no reason to do any of this, I had put everything out the night before making sure I had everything. I got up at 7am and got myself ready, trying to ensure I wasn't having my banana too early, making sure I had a sufficient trip to the loo etc.

I was picked up at 7:30am to go into town to get the metro, we got there with plenty of time to spare. It tried to rain a little but it wasn't too bad, after grabbing some free plastic ponchos it actually stopped. The rest of the morning was gradually getting warmer and warmer.

We set off bang on time at 9:18am and I took the first stretch quite easy I thought, turns out my first mile I did in 11 mins 52 seconds, so really I think I should have started to walk it. Had I done that I would have had more energy in the harder parts of the race.

There were some tough hills throughout. At 3km it was getting really quite hot and I found it a bit of a struggle but 5km I didn't feel too bad. Seeing my sister at the Swing Bridge was encouraging and she got a pretty good photo of me with the Tyne Bridge in the background. From then on I found it quite difficult and I realised I really need to step up my training if I'm gong to finish the Great North Run and still be able to walk!

The most painful part was coming up past where we started to turn onto the quayside, I though it was nearly over but we were directed left to run further along the riverside, but then my nemesis...that hill!
The 9km hill which leads up to the stadium.

I think I could have cried. I'm thankful the Great North Run doesn't have hills like this. Steady inclines are easier to training for!!

Once in the stadium I really wanted to run all the way round the track but I couldn't do all of it, I did however run over the finish line (where might I add the photographers got some very unflattering photos), after grabbing my goody bag and t-shirt I saw my other half and my sister with my dog at the top of the steps. I was finished!!!!

My official time was 1 hour 33 mins 06 seconds, my average pace was 13mins 41 secs per mile. So I'm still within my target pace. Is it wrong for me to want to get that down to 12 mins? It was miles 3 and 4 that let me down so I really need to work on my endurance.

After the race it began to pour down, so we walked back to the metro soaking wet! (thank the lord for foil wraps!)

After getting home and changed into dry clothes we went for Sunday lunch, I had vege sausages with Yorkshire puds and chips. It was amazing. Then after getting home I had the most amazing bath!

All in all I'm surprised at how I'm feeling. I feel stiff but I'm still able to move. I'm very thankful I had an appointment with Physio Plus this morning, I'm feeling a lot better and ready for a good recovery run hopefully on Thursday morning.

After then, I will be starting the 12 week training plan to try to get that time up!!

Please sponsor me for a great cause all in aid of Mind.
You can also follow me on Twitter @79bobbin

Thanks for reading!

Chrissy

The best laid plans of mice and men ... What's your best training plan the week before a race?

Welcome back!

I have been a bit overdue with my updates, I have all kinds of news share with you all.

This last week has been very challenging, I have been doing 1-9 shifts all week with extra hours and a major rock gig in between making training very difficult and in this case non existent.

Running in the morning is difficult for me, especially when I'm at work straight afterwards. I may have mentioned this in previous blogs. I have ended up putting pressure on myself when limited to a time, then when at work til 11pm finding myself so exhausted, I'm falling asleep at my desk.

I know that eventually I will have to get up early and run a race, but the difference is that I'm not restricted to a time limit and no one will ask me to do an entire shift at work straight away. I have in fact taken a days holiday the day after the Great North Run to give me time to recover.

I did last week manage a run on Monday evening, which when the sun is still shining at 9pm isn't too bad. I still kept close to home and found myself running what is possibly the dullest route yet. Yes, I weaved through the streets, up down round and round. I did 2 miles worth of streets which all look identical. BORING!

There is a lot to be said about finding a good scenic route, it just keeps it interesting!

For the rest of the week, I didn't manage to get out. Wednesday, I arrived home from work and it was dull and raining, I didn't like the idea of running so late in the dark.

Thursday... well let me tell you about Thursday. Bon Jovi at the Stadium of Light! It was amazing and if you ask me rocking out like that is a work out in itself! We walked to the stadium from the car park (about 2 miles) and walked/jogged back again (crowd allowing) not to mention all the dancing and jumping!! I said at the time I should have set my app away to get our stats after doing it!

After Thursday I know I wanted to go out on Saturday and try my luck at 6 miles so I didn't go out Friday evening. I was up early on Saturday and had a list as long as my arm of things to do, including a few extra hours at work, a few errands in town and buying my new motorbike helmet (which is pink!), visiting friends who have just had a new arrival and going out on Saturday night with a good friend.

Believe it or not I did manage to get out on my run (kitted out with my new duo skin anti-blister socks might I add!). Given my time frame as I was running (haha pardon the pun) late, I didn't do too badly. I finished 5 miles in 1 hour 13 mins. a little slower than the first time, but I made a few errors.

1. I wasn't correctly fuelled (I hadn't eaten since the morning)
2. I wasn't sufficiently hydrated (apart from a sip or two of diet coke in the afternoon)
3. I hadn't planned my route properly (only planned 5 miles leaving me the temptation to cut it short)
4. I didn't have enough water with me on the run (never again!)

Apart from that the first half of my run went well, I was comfortable for the first 3 miles keeping it to an average 12 min mile (after speeding away at 5 min mile pace for the first minute) I didn't start to slow down until mile 4.

Overall, I think I did OK, I think I could have done it if I had had more time.

So, I have entered the Bupa Great North 10k, which is next Sunday. I have had a lot of mixed opinions on my training between now and then. I think I'm going to stick with a short run tomorrow night (about 2.5 to 3 miles) then possibly a mile on Wednesday, then rest until Sunday.

The reason I'm running...

I'm running in aid of Mind - A charity dedicated to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn to for advice and support.

This week, I have read an article on the BBC News website, I have found the following information:

WHO IS AFFECTED?

About two in three adults have depression at some time in their life.

One in four women and 1 in 10 men will require treatment for it at some point.

The average length of an episode of depression is six to eight months
4% of children suffer from anxiety or depression.

Other major types of depression

Post-natal depression
A type of depression some women experience in the first few months after they have had a baby.
Can be a combination of factors including stress of life-changing event, difficult delivery, lack of support at home and illness following birth. Hormone changes may play a part.
Affects one in seven women after childbirth. A family history of depression or postnatal depression increases the risk as does having a mood disorder in the past.

Bipolar disorder
Moods swing from one extreme to another. Manic and depressive periods can last for weeks and may interfere with every day life.
Widely believed to be the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. Stressful life events can trigger episodes.
One in 100 people are bipolar in the UK. The disorder seems to run in families but no single gene is thought to be responsible.

Seasonal Affective Disorder
A type of depression that has a seasonal pattern. Episodes tend to occur during the shorter days of winter when the Sun's rays are weaker.
A lack of sunlight causes us to produce more of the hormone melatonin and less of the neurotransmitter Serotonin. These factors are thought to play some part in triggering SAD.
One in 50 people affected by SAD in the UK. One in seven people with a first degree relative with SAD will have the condition. It is more common in countries further from the equator.

If you would like to view the full article you can do so by Clicking here

I would like to also take the time to mention that friends of mine have recently lost a close friend. I'm not aware of the full circumstances, though I'm aware that depression was an unwelcome part of their life.

At times like these I really realise how important support and awareness is.

Please help. Please sponsor me for my first ever half marathon in aid of Mind.

Donate here
Follow me on twitter @79bobbin

Happy running!

Chrissy

Group or Solo running?

Welcome back!

Although Monday is normally a lost day in the week, no one looks forward to it and everyone hates it (I'm sure someone wrote a song about it a few years back), today hasn't been entirely wasted.

As I'm on 1-9 shift and there is still a tiny scrap of daylight until 10pm I've been out this evening after work.

I live in an area which isn't great to be going out on my own so late so I'm trying to make it back home before dark. It didn't bother me so much in the winter as it was dark by 4pm, but even then I never went out any later than 7 or 8pm.

I do love running in the summer as I can enjoy not having to layer up. In the winter I've been running with a group, mainly with the 'safety in numbers' thought, which is what I want to talk about.

Do you prefer to run as a group or run on your own?

As I've experienced both now I have a different opinion.

I've found that as I'm not the greatest runner (although I know I'm improving) I feel that I'm always comparing myself to other people. So when I run with a group I'm thinking "why can't I go that fast?" or "they must think I'm not trying". I know it really probably isn't the case but I'm a much more confident runner when I'm running on my own, in my own little world, with my music and Runkeeper telling me what my improvements are.

Now I know you may say that I'll be running with all those thousands of people on race day but I'll be doing just the same. I'll have my music and Runkeeper to help me along every step of the way.

I'll also have Ant and the dog see me off at the start (he will also keep my essentials like my jacket and a change of clothes), my parents will be taking their place at the finish line really early in the morning, (just like I did for Ant 6 years ago) and my sister Kat and her friend Kristine will be doing a metro tag team and waving me past as many metro stops as they can!!

I've also made another decision. Kermit the frog will me coming with me too!!! So if you're there or if you're running and you see a Mind vest with Chrissy on the front and a Kermit the frog backpack - That's me!!

On a more serious note, coming up over the next few weeks I have asked a few of my very close friends to write something on their experiences with their mental health issues. All of these range from Bipolar, anxiety, depression. Another friend of mine suffered from anxiety when she was younger and is now a fully qualified counsellor.

These are the people who have inspired me to choose Mind.

Mind has also been in the news quite a lot and is getting even more exposure which I think is excellent. Denise Welch has been very open about her experiences with depression and is now the new Ambassador for Mind. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading today I know it's been longer than usual.

My charity page is www.virginmoneygiving.com/chrissyrunsin2013
your can follow me on twitter @79bobbin
Runkeeper is available free on android and I believe iphone. (they have not paid me to write that btw)

I hope to be back really soon with more fun updates and more information about Mind!

Happy running!

Chrissy

Hangovers and missed opportunities

Welcome back!

This weekend has been hasn't been one for running. A combination of factors have meant that I've missed out on some training since Wednesday.

Friday as you know if you have read my previous blog, I missed as I didn't want to run before a shift at work. Saturday was just too hot to go out for a comfortable session and as we had people round for a party in the evening I couldn't go out when it was cooler. Today?  Well I'm just not as good as I used to be at handling hangovers!!

At 9am I thought I was going to be out of action all day, even my hair hurt!
At 10am I crawled to the bathroom to see last nights ingoings in reverse (I promise to spare you any further detail in that area).
By noon I could only manage a bit of a sausage sandwich every 15 mins.
It wasn't until about 2pm I decided to et up and try to make myself look human again.

The other half (Ant) and I went out to go buy me a new motorcycle helmet only to arrive at Westgate Rd (Newcastle's biker stretch) an all the biking stores were closed! So we decided to drive back home, jumped on the bike and went to Tynemouth for a cool glass of cola.

We bumped into Ant's brother Nick and his fiance Sarah (who is also running the GNR for MS Society), we had had another soft drink then we rode home. Now, I was glad I wasn't driving I can tell you. On our way home I was thinking about the chances of me going for a run and thought if I can manage the dog walk I'll give it a shot.

So, at about 7ish we took the dog out, and we wondered up to our local shop to buy potatoes for tea and on the way up I actually thought I was going to pass out. I bought myself a bottle of Power Zero sports drink and promptly drank it all before we reached the bottom of the street!

Needless to say - I've not been for a run. I've done really well recently but I think I really shouldn't go out when feeling so rotten. Hands on your heart, how many people can say they've had a good run with a hangover?

So although I'm on 1-9 shifts this week, I'll be going out when it's a lot cooler after work. I know it's very late but I do plan to stick to main roads. I might even just lap as close to home as possible.

Still here's hoping for a better week!

Thanks for dropping in for a read!

Chrissy

You can follow me on twitter @79bobbin
or you can sponsor me at www.virginmoneygiving.com/chrissyrunsin2013

That sunshine Friday feeling...

Welcome back!

Well it's that fantastic Friday feeling, the sun has been shining all day!!

The trouble is, it's really hard to run in this weather. The training schedule I had set myself had been to run Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, but today I've taken another rest day. I really feel like I've needed it as my muscles ached, I feel tired not only mentally but emotionally. I'm going to push myself to go out for another 5 miles tomorrow. I'm even going to try to find a different location as I feel a different route might a difference in my motivation. I don't think I feel de-motivated as such but because I know how warm it is and because I know it's going to be hard work, I don't want to feel like I'm going to let myself down and not have as good a session as I have had last week.

Last week, when I ran 5 miles I'm not going to say it was easy by any means, but it felt easier than it feels this week. On Wednesday morning this week, although my average pace wasn't affected, it didn't feel like i was moving at all. Putting one foot in front of the other felt like the biggest effort. I didn't feel like I had done as well as I did. I was pleased with the distance considering how hot it was.

I'm hoping for some cooler weather, but maybe it can wait until after the weekend. I'm on a different shift next week so I intend to run after work. It will be after 9pm but it will most definitely be cooler, so I'm hoping to be able to increase to 5.5 miles. Once I've achieved this I will know if I'm going to run in the 10k on the 23rd of June.

I received an email from Mind today which was generally just covering things like looking after your feet and wearing the right running shoes and socks. I'm looking into getting a hold of some duo-socks to reduce blisters as it really does change the way you run.

Mind also touched on the media coverage Stephen Fry has had this week after opening up about his experiences with Bipolar and his suicide attempt last year. I'm hoping to speak to a friend of mine to see what her opinions are on the subject as she was diagnosed with Bipolar some years ago. I hope to be able to share this with you very soon.

So that's it for today, I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow with my updates and experiences from my run tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

Chrissy

Thursday - Rest Day

Welcome back!

Today has been my rest day. I'm not sure if others find this but I find it incredibly difficult to run and then do a full days work. I seriously admire (and again envy) those who do!

If you have read yesterdays post you will be aware that I completed a 4 mile run in 59 mins however I then did a full day at work (3pm-11pm shift). By mid afternoon I was literally fighting to keep my eyes open. To save myself from getting my wrists slapped at work, I've decided that I will not go for a run tomorrow before work. Instead I'll go out Saturday lunchtime with the possibility of a complete change of route. Maybe up to the coast - it will certainly be cooler!

The forecast for the weekend looks excellent, in terms of the fact we will be having a few friends round it's perfect. Though from a running perspective, I think I'd rather it was a bit cooler (I know - strike me down with a wet fish!!). Still, it's all part of the experience isn't it.

In the news this week Steven Fry has been open about his attempt at suicide last year due to suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Did you know that Bipolar affects 1 in 100 people in the UK according to the finding of the Royal College of Psychiatrists?  There is a stigma attached with Bipolar, until about a year or two ago I knew very little about it. It's a chemical reaction in the brain which can cause you to go from extreme euphoria to severe depression, borderline suicidal in some cases. This can be controlled by medication.

Other statistics include:

Anxiety will affect 10% of the population
20% of people will become depressed at some point of their lives
OCD affects 2%
As many as one in every ten people will suffer from personality disorder (though for some it won't be severe)

I quote the above from an article on the bbc.co.uk/science website.

It's quite surprising really. You don't think about the fact that so many of the people you cross paths with on a daily basis could be living with or struggling with mental health issues.

Mind are a charity who strive for better mental health, and Steven Fry is their president.

As you follow my journey I will continue to share my ups and downs. My downs mainly being my catastrophic sense of balance and my ups being my weekly achievements and records.

I hope to see you again soon!

Thanks for reading!
Chrissy

More about my cause. More about Mind

As you will have read in my previous blog, I'm running the Great North Run - my first ever half marathon in September. Although this is a personal goal, it's also something I'm doing for a great cause.

I'm raising money for the UK Charity Mind who raise awareness and campaign for better mental health.

I thought I should tell you a little more about it.

I have visited their website to help me explain it for you:

Their current campaigns are:
Crisis Care
Mental Health at Work
Time to Change
Benifits and Welfare reform
Access to talking therapies
NHS reform

You may want to look into this furtherand I recommend you do!! So here is their website:

http://www.mind.org.uk

I firmly believe in this cause, I have friends who suffer from various mental health problems who are struggling to even talk to someone about it let alone deal with it on a daily basis. People with these issues no matter how big or small should feel the support from those around them and feel like they have someone on their side.

I'm raising money and awareness of the charity Mind - please support me in any way you can.

If everyone of my twitter followers gave even one dollar/pound I'd have more than doubled my target.

Today I did go for my run, I found it very hard to keep up my average pace but I did it,  I acheived exactly 4 miles in 59 mins and 33 seconds. Considering that I nearly didn't go out I'm really proud I did, even if it was mostly walking I still clocked up the miles!

I hope to break out of my little rutt very soon and my body gets used to being tortured 3 times a week. You never know.... one day! lol

Thanks for reading!

Chrissy

The beginning of my journey

Hello!

Well this is the second instalment of my journey.

This week I'm up to a point in my training where I should be running up to 5 miles. Last Friday I achieved that for the first time on my life. (ever!)

I have to say, Wednesday night (which was the first time I reached that distance) it was thrilling. When my little app (Runkeeper) talked to me and told me I had reached 4 miles I was passing a point where I could have easily taken a short cut home. I didn't, I kept going!

I kept thinking.. 'If I don't do this I'll wish I had' and all I had to do was keep running!

I'm still at the pace where I have to take recovery walks - but I'm absolutely getting there. I've been getting to the stage where I can run for at least 5 lamposts (providing I'm not running uphill) before needing to stop. Even then i only walk for one lampost before I pick my feet back up again.

I never thought I'd be here.

I started running back in October. I managed up and down the street and I'd need my inhaler I could barely keep going for one lampost. I wouldn't run for anything more than a mile before coming home!

I do get envious of those who make it look so easy, it's one of the reasons I don't run as part of a running group. I feel happier about my achievements when I'm running on my own. All I have to compare them with is my previous run!! I got to remember, before I worry about how far along I am, I really have to think about where I've come from!

I plan to go out for a 5 mile run in the morning. I find it harder in the mornings so I'm trying to get up, get some fuel in there and war up.
Monday morning I didn't get out until 11 am and it was already too warm to run properly. I'm hoping that race day isn't as warm.

The weather for tomorrow is forecast to be cloudy up until about 11 am - should be a little cooler than Monday.

Here's hoping! I'm definitely not taking the dog with me for this one!

Until next time!

Chrissy

Well this isn't really the start if my journey, I started my running back in January. It has been quite a slow progress but I'm finally at the stage where I can run for 2 mins consistently. For me this is somewhere I never thought I'd be.
 All following posts will be regular reports on my progress taking you right up until great north run day.

Hope you will run this with me.


Tootles!

Chrissy