The month of May got off to a good start, lots of likes on my original post, people being generally admiring of my attempt to do something so hard; encouragement from those who have survived in the past, and emotion from my family who are my main reason for even attempting this whole thing.
However in June, my personal life took a dramatic downturn when my beloved puglet became ill and subsequently had to leave us for little puggy heaven. We only had her company for 6 months but she has had such an impact on us that this loss has impacted everything about my day to day life including my energy levels, which have been an at all time low.
RIP Princess ❤
For those who care:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 6am Swim (start at 40 lengths and increase, within time limit of 30-40 minutes)
Wednesday: 8.30pm Body Balance Class (for core strength, flexibility and balance)
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 20 minutes interval run (to be increased by 2 minutes weekly) and 10 minutes of upper body strength exercises
Saturday: 20-30 minutes of upper and lower body strength exercises; 30 minute Sprint cycling class
Sunday: Distance running (start at 5km, aiming for 10km in 60 minutes by October)
After six weeks of feeling like a failure, and the copious amounts of "we feel crap about life" take aways, I had one whole successful exercise and training. I pushed myself hard and not only managed to increase my gym going, but increased my reps of upper body exercises (my arms are actually spaghetti); I swam 40 lengths in 28 minutes and ran my fastest 5k (31 minutes 15 seconds).
Yesterday I was on a complete high and felt strong and back on track,
Then at 2am last night I woke up in a panic about the state of my fundraising.
I have to raise £1000 by October to keep in line with my agreement with the Motor Neurone Disease Association. I am already on £110 which is great progress. I am organising a little fundraising BBQ in August and next up I'll be looking for an all inclusive charity buffet meal of some description, to which you are all welcome.
It suddenly dawned on me that not only do I have to motivate myself to push my body harder than ever before; to go to the gym and train 5 days a week for the next 38 weeks (that's 190 times), to eat well, to spend decent money on trainers and running clothes, but I also have to motivate myself and inspire others to financially invest in the cause that is so dear to me so I can reach and exceed the expectations of the charity.
It feels like a huge weight on my shoulders and whilst I know my friends and colleagues are wonderful, beautiful and generous people, asking for money is hard and I can always understand the reasons people won't or can't.
Due to my 2am fundraising panic, I am now shattered and not looking forward to my 5.30am wake up call to go and swim tomorrow, but I will do it, I have to do it and I hope my determination will come across enough to move people into donating and attending any events I put on.
Its been a funny journey so far. In some ways I don't really feel like I'm achieving much or really know what I'm doing, but in others I've never felt more more in control and motivated. I don't know if these ebbs and flows in emotion are normal, or whether I'm just being dramatic, but I think my challenge is going to be to keep on going even when the last thing I want to do is put my trainers on.
But I need to, I have to, and I have to organise fundraisers and you suckers are my friends so have to attend and cough up the cash. #inspirationalquotesbyme
Kinda simple when you put it like that
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jefferstow-runs-the-marathon
