My Medal Collection

This is my medal collection.

This year my medal collection needs to expand! From left to right you have the Race for Life medal I got in June last year, which I actually ran (after completing the C25k challenge) and I ran it in 44minutes – which is not great, but I thought it was a huge achievement.

The next one along is the Race for Life medal I got in 2010. I walked this one and it took me over an hour, and I almost died. But at 17 stone and size 22/24 – what did I expect from myself! I was just glad I made it round the course!!! So that is why 2011 Race for Life was such a huge achievement. (Watch this space for this year!)

The middle one is my Starlight Walk 2008 medal. I did this with my cousin, for no particular reason, I did not train for it but in 2008 I was only about 14 stone. It started at midnight and I know I didn’t get home until 4:30am. It was a long 13 mile walk and it hurt so bad! I remember having huge blisters on my feet after this one and could not walk for days!

Next to this is Starlight Walk 2011 medal. I did this with a friend from work and her Mum. We powerwalked the whole thing and did it in 3hour 32min. I actually timed it properly this time as I wanted to see how fast I could do it. I had proper running shoes on so did not get any blisters and was half way through my weight loss journey of last year so was challenging myself!

The final medal is the Pedal for Peace medal. This was a 10mile bike ride I did with my boyfriend back in July of 2010. I was about 15 stone 10 at this point and it was a struggle. In fact I sold my bike after this!!!

Anyway… like I was saying, this medal collection needs some serious expansion!

Don’t get me wrong, I do not just do it for the medals. On December 31st 2008 my Grandad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and was told he only had 3-12 months to live. He battled, he fought and wow, he put up a very strong, courageous and brave fight. But on the 19th December 2009 (yes he wanted to defy the doctor) he lost that battle and passed away in The Peace Hospice. He was only 70 years old. He had seen my weight go up and down, and when down he was so proud of me. Unfortunately during the year of his illness and the year after, I ballooned. Finishing 2010 at 16stone 12.2lbs. That’s where this weight loss story began. So the Race for Life, Pedal for Peace and Starlight Walk was for him. In 2010 we did raise £1,000 for these charities and in 2011 I raised £300.

In 2012, I want to raise more money for cancer research and the Peace Hospice but also to raise my stamina, endurance and give myself some personal challenges to achieve. So here is what I have planned so far (Some dates still pending of course!)

· The Watford 10K Fun Run (May)

· The Race For Life (Run) (5K) (June)

· The Starlight Walk (13 miles – half marathon) (June)

· The Great British 10K Run (July)

· Shine 2012 Walk (26 miles – full marathon) (October)

Hopefully more to add as they are released!

Watch this space!