Over the next few weeks, a number of our amazing supporters will be putting themselves through their paces in various runs and marathons all over the country.
We think it’s only right to recognise their sterling efforts, so a huge thank you to: Jessica Thompson, Ben Hanley, James Barnett, Mathew Wood, Lauren Havard & Duncan Groves for taking on the Inagural Brighton Marathon; Sam Hampson, the Brighton Mini Mile; Peter Hackett, the world famous London Marathon; Julian Heron, Uckfield Super Sprint Triathlon. Also a massive thank you to volunteer Nerys Nicholls for organising the Brighton Marathon team!
If you would like to show your support for our runners, join the Child’s i Runners facebook group or follow the @childsirunners twitter feed. I caught up with some of these (fool)hardy souls to see how they are feeling about their forthcoming runs:
Brighton Marathon Runner: Jessica Thompson
Why did you choose to run for Child’s i Foundation?
I have been involved with the Child’s i Foundation after interviewing Lucy when I was a journalist at her local paper. I was completely captured by Lucy’s dream and the charity mission and felt that I wanted to get involved. Since then I have helped with some fundraisers, held a volunteers evening where I met the amazing Emma Blake and together we held a special Christmas Ice Party for the charity. Now it’s the marathon.
Brighton Marathon runner Jess in training
Whats your training schedule like?
Due to tight time constraints with my job, I have been following a three session a week programme, which has varied over time. It has mostly involved a military fitness class, speed work and a long run at the weekend.
Have you ever done anything like this before?
I have been running for two and a half years, I have completed three half marathons but never a full one.
How are you feeling about running the marathon at the moment?
I am pleased with how my training went and should have some faith in that but I am terrified to be honest!!! I am very excited but also cannot envisage running such a long way. Really glad that I will have the team with me so we can do it together.
We have five running spaces for next years Brighton Marathon if you are interested in following in our teams foot steps contact: Perle@childsifoundation.org
London Marathon Runner: Peter Hackett
Why did you choose to run for Child’s i Foundation?
I won a place for the London Marathon in the public ballot. I felt I ought to raise money for a charity and I chose to run for Childs I Foundation because a friend of mine – Ian Warren, is working out in Uganda for the home at the moment and another friend of mine – Kevin O’Brien, is organising the Killamanjaro climb for later in the year.
Whats your training schedule like?
My training schedule involves running five days a week. Most days involve fairly short distances with the long runs saved for the weekend. The longest distance I have covered in my training is 19 miles.
Peter running in the 2008 marathon
Have you ever done anything like this before?
I have only previously run one marathon, which was in 2008. Unbeknown to me, I ran it with a hairline fracture in my right ankle which was diagnosed until after the race. It seemed I incurred it two weeks before the marathon. If I had known about the injury I probably wouldn’t have run, so I am glad it turned out the way it did – even if I did end up in plaster for a few weeks after the race!
How are you feeling about running the marathon at the moment?
So basically although I am feeling apprehensive about this year’s marathon, my hope is to run it without any pain in my ankle! I know that the last few miles won’t be much fun, but I know that it will be a fantastic day and a great experience!
We are currently looking for Superheros to run in the 5km Superhero run in London on the 13th June 2010. So if you have been itching to release your inner superhero this is your moment! If you would like to find out more about this run contact: Perle@childsifoundation.org.
