They say if you can’t beat them, join them.
After watching from the side lines as Misery Guts competes in running event after running event I’ve decided to enter my very first organised run.
In two weeks’ time I’ll be taking part in the Great South Run, a 10 mile race around Portsmouth to raise money for charity.
If you’re a regular follower of the blog you’ll know I love running and have been running for years. I’ve carried on running into the third trimester of all three of my pregnancies and run twice a week, first thing in the morning when the kids are still sleeping so I can squeeze it in.
But I’ve never run 10 miles all in one go before, and taking part in an organised event is very different from pootling along at my own pace at home. So why now?
Why I’m running the Great South Run
If you’re a regular follower of the blog you’ll also know that the reason why Misery Guts takes part in so many running events is because he’s training to run the Marathon Des Sables, a 150 mile marathon across the Sahara Desert in April 2019.
He’s doing it because he’s type 1 diabetic and wants to prove to himself he can despite having a chronic disease, and to raise money for research into type 1 diabetes which could eventually lead to a cure.
The truth is the fact Misery Guts is type 1 diabetic affects every single member of our family, as it does every family with a member with diabetes. And the sooner a cure is found the better, which is why I, too, am running for diabetes.
I’m also taking part because the event is sponsored by Simplyhealth, who we’ve been working with to help bang the drum about their #MyEveryStep campaign, which is all about the little steps we can take to lead healthier lives. And it would be a bit hypocritical of me to tell you all about it without actually doing anything myself.
So which charities am I running for?
I’m running the Great South Run for Misery Guts’s three chosen diabetes charities: JDRF, which funds research into finding a cure for type 1 diabetes, T1International, which saves the lives of type 1 diabetics living in parts of the world with no access to insulin, and Diabetes UK, which provides vital support so people don’t have to face diabetes alone.
I haven’t set up my own Just Giving Page because I want to help Misery Guts reach his target of raising a combined total of £3,000 for the charities. So, if you can spare £1 or £2 or even 50p for one or all three of the charities (when you donate through Just Giving the money goes directly to the charities), I promise to run 10 miles in return.
Obviously running 10 miles around Portsmouth isn’t a patch on the 150 miles Misery Guts will be running across the Sahara Desert next year, but it’s a big step for me. And every little helps. So if you’d like to support me and help change the lives of type 1 diabetics and their families by making a little donation you can do so here!
Have you taken part in the Great South Run before? Do you know someone who has? Any tips and advice gratefully received!
The Great South Run takes place on Sunday October 21st, 2018 and there’s still time to enter – to find out more click here. Although we are working with Simplyhealth to help promote their #MyEveryStep campaign I have not been paid for this post – I simply want to tell you about it to help raise as much money as possible.
What great causes to run for. Wishing you the best of luck x #MMBC
I’m well impressed, and you’ve chosen great charities to support. Good luck x
#MMBC
Good luck with the run, what great charities you are supporting #mmbc
Good on you! I’ve done 10 miles before but not competitively, it scares me! Huge respect to you! #DreamTeam
Good luck Natalie. My brothers and nephews are running in the Great South Run this year in memory of Jessica and raising money for Little Hearts Matter. Hubby did it once 13 years ago as well. I am hoping to be there cheering my family on and you too if I see you! #coolmumclub
So great you are doing this – wishing you the best of luck and hope you raise lots for your charities! #coolmuclub will be rooting for you!
Diabetes is close to my heart! My mum passed away at the age of 57 due to diabetes related illnesses. Good luck lovely xx #coolmumclub
Well done, you will be so proud of your achievement when you cross the finish line! I have done a few 10k races and a couple of half marathons and the atmosphere at them is always fantastic! And yes it’s lovely to be the one taking part this time instead of standing on the side lines cheering the others on. The very best of luck, it’s a great cause and I’m sure you will have a fantastic day! #CoolMumClub
A worthy cause, I am rooting for you! #DreamTeam
Good luck next Sunday, am running it too. Only tip, save something for that last 1.5 miles as its along the sea front and when that wind is blowing it feels like 1 step forward and 2 steps back
Wow good luck, that is huge! I struggle running up the stairs. Great charities too, I’m rooting for you #KCACOLS
Amazing causes to run for! I wish you the best of luck!! #KCACOLS
I’ve dabbled with running but it’s really not my thing. Well done you for doing this and I hope it goes well! #kcacols
Good luck with this. I can’t run for toffee, so I am well in awe of you doing this. A great cause #KCACOLS
Well done, that’s a brilliant thing to do and a great cause to be doing it for. x #KCACOLS