Chariots of Fire 2012: we did it!

Sorry for the radio silence, my evenings have recently been taken up with training (quite) hard for the Chariots of Fire relay race 2012, which happened last Sunday 16 September...

After much anticipation, I am proud to say my team and I completed the 1.7 mile (2.7K) relay race in 1 hour and 35 minutes. I also managed to achieve my personal best of 15 minutes! 

Me sporting my number,  medal and t-shirt! 

Although I swore afterwards that I would never do it again, the pain seems a distant memory now and the temptation is kicking in. Is this the addiction runners talk about? Have I crossed that threshold? 

In the meantime, I am hopefully going to keep going for runs in the evenings (I wake up at night you see), and push myself to run further each time. Maybe I will even enter a 5K run...who knows. I am also currently waiting for City of Cambridge Rowing Club to get back to me about a one day taster course in October...exciting times! 

I know my sudden sport frenzy has definitely been influenced by the Olympics this year and then attending some athletics, goalball and wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics shortly after - pictures coming soon.

 The idea of trying out rowing came about once I had watched Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking win gold in the women's lightweight double sculls. As with many I've spoken to, I never imagined the Olympics would affect me in this way, or even at all, but I'm extremely happy they have. 

Katherine and Sophie overjoyed by their success

It's been a great year for sport and I'm hoping it has and will inspire many, like me, to carry on and try new things.

Chariots of Fire: to run or not to run?

My friend kindly reminded me today that I agreed to enter Chariots of Fire a couple of months ago.

This is an annual charity race in Cambridge, this year on Sunday 16 September 2012, following in the footsteps of the famous film. Each team of six journeys through the streets and colleges of Cambridge, running a 1.7 mile course in relay format.

If you know me at all, you'll know that I find nothing worse than running. Walking or cycling any day. Running, not a chance. So why did I agree? 

To run or not to run? 

• Well, avid runner friends have always raved how liberating it is and the sense of achievement after a race is indescribable and exhilarating. It's also free and limitless. This is true, the rates I pay for the gym are stupidly high! Maybe I'm halfway convinced...
• My boyfriend is also aiming to complete a half marathon in October and has been at me for months to start running with him. I think his persistence paid off as I finally gave in and reluctantly made my way down to the park near my work on Thursday evening. I'd been trying to put it off all day - the rain was a great excuse - but conveniently it stopped raining as soon as I finished work. 
• I have to say, the first lap round the park was excruciating - my breathing was all wrong, my heart was burning and we kept stopping (probably not the best form of exercise to ease myself back into it after a week of no physical activity and gluttony at a work conference!). 
• However, a few more laps in and my fitness levels quickly adapted - I pushed through the pain and got into a nice rhythm. I think the first time is the worst - once past this barrier, it's all uphill (not literally I hope!). 

To run: So, despite my resistance to running in the past, I think I will persevere with it - at least until the race is over - I'd hate to let any one down...and you never know, to quote Casablanca this may be 'the beginning of a beautiful friendship'.

Plus, it's for a good cause - this year funds are being raised for charities; Cambridge Past, Present & Future and Cam Sight. 

If you have any tips on running or completing a race, please get in touch. Or if you've done Chariots of Fire before, please leave your comments and share your experiences here. 

I'll be posting any updates on this, so watch this space :)