JefferStow's Road to the Marathon: Post 2: Winning and Fear.

I am now two months into my marathon training and 8 months until The Big Day. I want to say that things are going well. But they're also not going terribly. It's an odd feeling of uncertainty.

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 ❤

Last week, in remembrance of Gloria, who was small and fearless, I decided to uncomplicate my training time table, work out what I like and what I don't like and then... JFDI.

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

JefferStow's Road to the Marathon: Post 1: There are only three reasons to run.

There are only three reasons that any human being should ever run:

1. If you are being chased
2. If there is food
3. If it is for charity


It's been one whole year (already!) since I last posted , and this also signals the last time I did something 1. remotely energetic, 2. remotely charitable.*

So this May, I have managed to stumble across a guaranteed spot in the London Marathon 2018, and I will be raising a minimum of £2,500 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. This blog shall explain a little bit more of my motivation.


1. Why the Marathon?

I've completed a half marathon, I ran 100 miles in May 2016... Why on earth would I try to run 26 miles all in one go around London on a Sunday morning in April?

Every year see posts from friends about their marathon running achievements, how the event has profoundly affected their lives, and the thousands of pounds raised for wonderful and important charities. My dad and my sister have both completed it, and at the age of 21 I put it on my "Before I'm 30" bucket list.

Despite being terrified of the last minute, I do tend to trust my instincts and will make a spontaneous decision if I feel its right. It worked when we got a pug so when I got the email from MNDA offering me the place, I thought.... ¡¿Por qué no?!

I will be 28 on the 22nd April 2018 so the London Marathon will be a big fat tick in the "life goals" box.

I don't have much else on my list tbh.


2. Why the MND Association?

Motor Neurone disease is without a doubt the cruelest disease known to man. There is no rhyme nor reason, no cure, and it robs it's victims of their mobility, speech, ability to eat, and eventually their life, in a slow and painful way.

As some of you may know, my Uncle was diagnosed with this horrific illness around a year ago. Thankfully at the moment he is still able to play the piano (he is a terrific pianist) and cuddle his beautiful grandson.

They live far away from us so I feel utterly helpless in being able to support my family through this horrible time, but what I can do is run and raise money and help the group that have already been a huge support for my Uncle and his family.

To find out more about the MNDA please see their website: https://www.mndassociation.org/


3. Why so much money?

I have been lucky enough to secure a Golden Bond Charity place with the Motor Neurone Disease Association. This means I do not have to enter the public ballot and I am guaranteed a place, and for this privilege I promise to raise a grand total of £2,500.
The money I raise also covers the cost to the charity of securing Golden Bond places, a total of £330. Everything else I raise goes directly to MNDA.

As well as regular donations I plan to put on various events, bake cakes and generally generate some fun opportunities for you to join in and donate money whilst also getting something in return.

Its a big target and myself, my family and anyone affected by Motor Neurone Disease value your support.


https://www.justgiving.com/Jefferstow-Runs-The-Marathon


Over the next 12 months I will be resurrecting my Gym Blog in order to provide witty updates as to my training schedule and to continually beg for money and advertise my own little fund raising events as well. Part one will involved Body Balance and foam rollers. Get excited.

Here is my new best friend, my new (colour coded) Gym Schedule. Wish me luck. Prepare to be in awe. Donate. And don't forget to add Gift Aid.

Much Love

Emma xx

*Not entirely true. I did a 13 mile hike that was a 16 mile hike for my company's worthy charity, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation in September. It was sweaty.

Outrun: The Grand Finale: 100 miles

I AM DONE!!!

The last week has been tough but I managed to get there (Thanks for the pep talks everyone!) 100 miles in 30 days.

That's 17 and a half hours of donning trainers, leggings and a sports bra and putting one foot in front of the other as fast as I possibly could.

That's 20 days out of 30 I managed to motivate myself to do more than just sit on the couch.

That's an unthinkable amount of blisters, sweat and tears.

And it was all worth it - over £500 raised for Macmillan cancer support. I am so thankful for these donations as they encouraged me to keep going and I know that someone will benefit hugely from this money, and because of the nature of cancer - probably someone I know.

Below is my running schedule (of course I had a spreadsheet ;) ) so you can see how much I did each day, and can see how much I slowed down when my motivation was at zero!

www.justgiving.com/emma-stow-outun - still accepting donations!!

Outrun: Week 4: 88.05 miles down. How far is 100 miles anyway?

I am nearly there. 12 miles left and three days to do it in. Literally everything hurts and I can't be bothered but the donations are somehow keeping me motivated

I've realised now what I am doing is actually impressive, so to give some context I've had a look at how far 100 miles actually is so you can see how much effort I've had to put in over the last few months.

So.

100 miles = 160.934 kilometres = 160,934 metres.

That means 100 miles is:

- 402.33 laps of an athletics track

- 5 trips across the channel between Dover and Calais

- 3.8 marathons

- 32 Race for Life 5 Ks

- The distance (as the crow flies) from Southend to Belgium

- It is 3.3 times the width (West to East) of the entirety of London

So - pretty damn far!

Please keep sponsoring, I'm hoping to finish up in 2 more runs. And then never run again.

www.justgiving.com/emma-stow-outrun

Outrun: Week 3: 73.59 miles down. Legally Motivated

So I am nearly at 80 miles and determined to get to 100. I currently feel quite sick and horrible and mentally I'm finding it tough because running as a sole form of exercise is dull as dishwater.

So to liven things up, welcome to the Legally Blonde soundtrack, and five tracks that keep me going.


1. Track 3: What you want.

Not only is this about girl is achieving something seemingly ridiculous and unreachable, she gets there with some support friends and family and also the over arching motivation of:

LOVE, I'M DOING THIS FOR LOVE
AND LOVE WILL SEE ME THROUGH
WITH LOVE ON MY SIDE I CAN'T LOSE.

And that is also my motivation. Love. Love for my mother, for my friends who have and are going through continued struggles, from finding clothes when you've only got one boob to coming to terms with the next stage of your treatment. Love for the mothers who have not survived. For the lady at work whose friend lost her battle at the age of 28 and left behind 3 children under 7 years old. The heartbreak I feel every time I hear the C word is what I'm doing this for.

2. Track 6: Positive

The title speaks for itself but this is also where Elle's friends step up even more to keep her up beat and on game. My girl Chloe who is also doing the Outrun challenge is my Greek Chorus in this <3

3. Track 10: So Much better

This track is the one I end up actually bursting outloud in the gym to and then continue an extremely enthusiastic lip sync to. I might look like a nutter but it usually comes about 40 minutes into my run when I'm dying.
This song embodies everything I've felt over the last month, I've improved myself physically and mentally, I'm proud of the miles I've run and touched by the generosity of the donaters so far.
I feel So. Much. Better.

4. Track 11: Whipped into shape

Speaks for itself. I will always be a bit wobbly but I strongly believe that physically (and mentally) you need to whip yourself into shape and aim to be the best that you can be
Come on Emma, you heffer

5: Track 13: Bend and snap

Look at my ass, look my thighs, I'm catnip to the guys, they chase my tail, they drool and pant, wanna touch this but they can't... All the boys wanna come and play, snap my fingers and they obey, Why do they follow me around all day? Watch me while I walk away

Enough said.

Thanks for being queen of everything, Elle.

Outrun: Week 2: 44 miles down: Why am I doing this?

Ah the first words out of everyone's mouths... Why are you doing this?

Well below are a list of reasons to help you understand:

1. I have the uncontrollable need to compete with myself

2. Raising money for charity is a good thing

3. I strongly believe that for people to donate what you're doing needs to meet two criteria: a) it needs to be something ridiculous and stretching for you PERSONALLY (and for someone with a decent level of fitness that means more than a few k. And b) the charity needs to be something people can personally care and relate to.

4. I do not have enough spare cash to give as much to charities as I would like

5. It was free to sign up

6. I quite like the attention

7. I have witnessed first hand how amazing the Macmillan nurses are and how much support they offer to patients and sufferers of the big C

8. As I write this a beautiful and lovely lady I know who has been an amazing friend to my hubby over the years is waiting for biopsy results, which is scary and terrifying and it gives me even more motivation to keep going.

9. Marriage has made my legs wobbly.

10. The ultimate satisfaction thatI've raised over £250 so far and only halfway there!!!

So there you go, thank you for the admiration and donations,  keep them coming!

www.justgiving.com/emma-stow-outrun

Outrun: Week 1: 25.26 miles down

Phew,  7 days in!

There are several things I had forgotten about running regularly in the last two years:

1. Oh my days the blisters
2. It's boring
3. Oh my days the blisters
4. Several days spent walking like an old woman with incontinence
5. Oh my days the blisters

So in summary of my first week, my feet are basically two large blisters and my runs are already getting slow due to tiredness and the fact it is literally hotter than Ibiza today, but at least I can remember it's a bit more tortoise and a lot less hare this time.  Over 25% of my top target isn't bad in seven days, I'm working on the theory I can peter off more towards the end of the month.

My new house is also not ideally located for mid length runs, this morning I found myself jogging aimlessly in circles around water fountains just to get my mileage up.  It was quite a nice morning though and a trip down memory lane of many sunny afternoons with my grandparents as a child. One of whom I lost to cancer before we even knew she had it.

So please keep donating,  a lovely friend of mine has also been through surgery just this week, and a chance screening and quick work from doctors will have hopefully nipped it in the bud for her. I will keep running and keeping praying, all you need to do is donate a little cash.

Thank you ❤❤