Saturday 13 August 2011

Race For Life

We did it! On a very hot day in July I jogged my little heart out and completed 5km in 42minutes.

I am extremely proud of myself. Despite going out and training quite a bit, I had still never ran 5km before that day (I know that is an amateur mistake.) Plus, unbeknownst to me at the start, the majority of the course involved running uphill, which I was not prepared for at all. But I beat my target time of 45min.


As he had earlier threatened my dad was on hand to capture the entire day in his much better than mine camera - hence the upgrade inquality. I will not be sharing all 200 pictures with you all. No one needs a still by still depiction of my ungainly running style, but here are a few I offer as proof for those that generously sponsored me,





Also a massive well done to Elle and her Mom. It would have been wonderful if we could have run together, but the threat of stress fractures is more important than my fear of looking like a pillock. I am very proud of her as she carried on and completed the 5km despite being in pain all the way through. And also go Jane for deciding to join in at the 11th hour with absolutely no prep!


Over all I raised just over £350 ( when you include gift aid etc) thank you so much to everyone that donated!!! You are all amazing. It was extremely moving running in such a large sea of pink, as everyone's reason for running was pinned on their backs. Everyone was running for close friends and family, no one was just running for themselves. Reading the messages to loved ones just spurred me on to run more. I think I will probably do it again next year, or something similar at least. But for now no more running. Give me a bike any day :D


Wednesday 3 August 2011

Camp Bestival

Furthering my reputation of being somewhat impulsive, I persuaded Jeannie and Neff to come steward with me at Camp Bestival with only 14 days notice. Frustrated by my lack of headway in my attempts to get a job with Oxfam I thought volunteering for them might get me some brownie points :D

We had an absolutely amazing time. Would recommend stewarding to anyone that can cope with a little sleep deprivation. You get a free festival ticket, ace music, some lovely new friends and an excuse to be rather childish and watch things like sooty & sweep, Dick & Dom and Mr Tumble.

We also did a bit of celeb spotting. I spoke to Jo Whiley (who is surprisingly quite short) and spotted a few others milling around in the crowd. Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall was spotted by one of my freinds, but alas I could not find him. I did however go to the River Cottage tent and met some of the guys there & got to eat some of their scrumptious food.


Most of our job consisted of telling people where the programme sellers were and looking after lost little kids - some of which were really sweet and did not care at all that their parents were no where to be seen. We met some lovely people and hopefully have made a few new friends. It seems wearing a bright orange Oxfam tabard or yellow security jumpers makes everyone really friendly and approachable. Despite not really seeing that many bands and doing far to much walking in ill fitting wellies this was probably the best festival experience I have ever had. Leeds has got a lot to live up too!