Running in remembrance
Jo is almost there, just the 20-mile ‘wall’ to get over
Jo meets a friend on the 20-mile run!
Training: Week 10
Distance: 20 miles
Time until Marathon: 3 weeks
And suddenly I am at 20 miles. The longest run in my training plan is now done!
Should have had a snack …
I had planned to run on Tuesday, but late on Sunday evening I saw the weather and changed my plans at the last minute. I did NOT fancy running in the rain or snow.
Unfortunately I didn’t think this through thoroughly, and importantly didn’t address my nutrition (there is a reason why pre race ‘carb-loading’ is a thing).
So, come mile 18 I met The Wall for the first time in my life. I have never met her before and man, she is scary!
Physiologically this is the moment where your muscles run out of fuel and your body and brain say ‘NO THANK YOU’. It was a thoroughly unpleasant experience and a huge lesson in managing my nutrition before and during the marathon.
For the last 2 miles or so I simply kept putting one foot in front of the other, I knew I had to just get home! One of my lovely neighbours Alexia gave me a huge boost as she spotted me running along the road and came out to cheer me on. She definitely was the reason I managed to finish (just about and very wobbly!!).
BIG LESSON LEARNED.
Remembering the sisters I’m running for
As well this week I was honoured to attend an International Women’s Day event at West Sussex County Council with our DART Service Manager, Jodie and our CEO Lucy.
Lucy gave an inspiring speech about the work that MSH does. Jodie and I were so proud to be representing such an amazing organisation that makes such a difference to women’s lives and safety.
Every year around IWD Jess Philips, MP, reads out a list of the names of women who have died in the last year at the hands of men. This is a heart-breaking but incredibly important moment of remembrance and reflection.
The 108 women who were on the list are at the heart of every run I have done in training for this marathon.
Sadly, many of the women whose names were read in Parliament on Wednesday were killed since I started training for the marathon in January.
How to sponsor me
If you can, please make this all worthwhile and sponsor me! I cannot overstate the motivational impact this has. Literally every penny I raise will be spent supporting women, keeping women safe, helping them to rebuild their lives and thrive, not just survive.
Visit my Fundraising page: Jo’s Marathon for MSH (peoplesfundraising.com)
Use this QR code to go straight to my donation page