So, the training is going well. The miles are ramping up, slowly but steadily. Still with plenty of strength work, stretching and some speed sessions. I'm doing something everyday. The knee is holding up (although there's an annoying ache which seems to come and go unexpectedly, and not related to what the session before had in stock). I've got some new friends to help guide me though: I look a right muppet carrying these poles around but they're light, sturdy and help take the load from my knees on hills and provide some forwards propulsion on the flat. When running 1030 miles I've got to be efficient with the load on my legs by spreading the forces around the rest of my body as much as I can. The clip is for some gloves to hook into, by the way. I can't decide if they remind me of Beaker or a rooster? . See if you can spot the odd one out from the selfies below. One's taken on an early run on Christmas Day, before the t...
There's been lots happening. Forget the knee for now. Various ducks are being lined up and the grander plan is coming together nicely.
'Who are you fundraising for?' people ask. 'You can't do this and not fundraise', they say.
Well, I'm doing it for two charities with the hope to build some momentum up to the big event.
More on the other charity in a future blog. I want to focus on this one for now: Claro Enterprises
Claro Enterprises is a fantastic charity that was set up by local farmer Chris Brown, to get people with mental health illnesses into a work environment to improve their mental (and physical) health. It operates as a commercial workshop making goods for businesses, which enables those with long term mental health conditions, to function in a voluntary real work environment. This holistic approach to health is right up my public health street.
Chris is an inspiration to many - a member of my running club, parkrunner, and, amongst other things, he's climbed all the highest peaks in each of the seven continents, cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats, cycled the length of New Zealand, ran London marathon (having run down there from North Yorkshire!) as well as completing the highest marathon at Everest base camp. If I could bottle just an ounce of whatever he's got and use that for my little jog, I know I'll succeed.
An enterprise is a business or company. But it can also mean 'a project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one'.
Claro Enterprises improves health in a meaningful and tangible way, is on my doorstep and has an inspirational founder from whom I can learn a lot. My choice to fundraise for this charity is therefore the other (spanish) meaning for claro: clear and obvious.
I hope to speak to inspirational people like Chris over the next few months, to try and capture and share here how they succeed. This will help me succeed with my enterprise. But if it helps others who read those stories to just have a go at things that they thought were impossible for them, then that would give the best meaning to anything I do.
If you've been inspired by this, click on the donate link below to give to Claro Enterprises.
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