My Pledge For 2012
In the last post I talked about making a pledge for personal change in 2012. Instead of a new year resolution that you feel you must complete as specified in a set period of time you can work on a pledge throughout the year. Most personal development and personal growth happens slowly over time, although there are occassions when it can happen quickly if you are determined enough!
I will be 50 in 2012 and many of my friends have completed momentous tasks in celebration of their 50th (and other) birthdays. I hadn’t really thought about doing anything terribly challenging to celebrate (I was thinking more about canal trips and parties!), but recently I read about a North Norfolk Marathon being held at Holkham, just down the road from me. A good friend of mine, John McNally, is a seasoned marathon runner, and his partner has taken it up too since meeting him.
A soon as I read about the event I felt I wanted to give it a go, although I’m erring towards the half marathon. Since then I have started to think more seriously about it, and now I am writing about it I know I have made a commitment to this challenge. So today I am contacting my friend for advice about a training programme, even though the weather has turned colder and I don’t feel at all like doing anything other than curling up on the sofa in front of the fire! I have also submitted my entry, paid my fee and ordered my t-shirt!
I’m quite sure I will benefit greatly from this challenge and will post updates on my training efforts. I will be raising money for the East Anglia Children’s Hospices as well and will post more about that at a later date.
2012 is going to be a very good year!
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Hi Mandy
Sounds like a great challenge and a worthy cause…I’ll be happy to sponsor you when you’re ready.
Can’t believe you’re going to be 50…you certainly don’t look it
I look forward to hearing how your training goes.
catch up soon
cheers
Steve
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Steve, you’re such a smoothie! Thanks for the compliment, and plenty of moral support is needed here!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
Good for you!! I know John will be the man to help you get started on your training in the right way.
That’s certainly a knew way to celebrate a birthday, I’d probably have gone for the party myself
I think it’s really good that you’re backing such a worthy cause Mandy and of course you’ll have my backing. Keep us posted on progress etc and I’ll make sure I put my hand in my pocket to support you.
I am also getting fitter this year and have now had 2 training sessions, broke my finger in the first one and after the second I am aching from my neck to my thumbs. Tried writing the JTS post yesterday and had to come away due to aching so much
Things can only get better
and I’ll have that post written in the next couple of days Mandy.
Best of luck with your training Mandy,
Catch you up soon,
Take care, Barry
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Wow, Mandy…I’m impressed. What a great idea that will be a superb help where it is needed. Just let me know what I can do to help you with your cause to help disadvantaged children.
Pat
OMG Mandy, maybe I should ask you to proof read my commenting as well
catch you soon Mandy
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Hi Barry, thanks for visiting. I know you are right about John. I’ve met him a few times and he is so dedicated to his running, and he taught his partner how to run and she has enjoyed getting involved. I am quite eager to get started right now, even though it’s a cold and frosty morning here!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
You do make me laugh, Barry! I nearly changed it but then saw this comment so didn’t!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Pat, thanks for visiting. I will certainly let you now, and will keep putting updates on my progress here on my blog so you can follow the journey with me!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
Good for you! I am so impressed you’re going to do such a big thing as a marathon when you haven’t been a runner and you’re starting from scratch! Age is just a number, and I’ve no doubt you can do it as you’ve set your mind to it.
I’m going to be doing a half marathon in April. I did one once before in my 20s and though that was a loooong time ago, I’m not new to running.
Kudos for supporting a worthy cause.
Go Mandy, go Mandy….
Peggy
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Good luck with the run. I take it you will be doing some training before the event. Just take it a step at a time (no pun intended) and you will be fine.
I am talking from experience here as I trained for years before the special event I entered for my 50th.
A week in Benidorm with the lads!
If I hadn’t drunk all that beer in the run up to the event (35 years) I would never have survived.
Dave
Hi Mandy,
Doing something worthy like this sounds much better than making a bunch on NY resolutions that you won’t keep too (well most don’t let’s be honest).
As you may remember, I ran the London Bupa 10K back in April. It was my first charity run and although it was slightly daunting, I still maintain that it is one of the best things I did in 2011!
The hard work you put it in now in your training will all pay off when you cross that finishing line and the fun and support you will receive on the day will be amazing. It is such a great feeling when you raise money for charity in this way and when you complete the run the reward you will feel will not be matched by anything else I assure you.
Best of luck with your training Mandy and do let me know when you need sponsoring.
Regards,
Steve Wilkins.
P.S. Also wishing you a very happy 50th! Enjoy your special day
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Hi Peggy, thanks for visiting. I just felt it was the right thing to do, it wasn’t really a conscious decision (if I’d thought about it before being swept along by the feelings I think I would have talked myself out of it!), however once I have made my mind up to do something I do it. Very determined! My friends are all laughing at me though – I’m one of the most unfit people you could possibly meet! Hope yours goes well in April!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Dave, thanks for visiting. I have yet to put a training plan into action. Until it happens I will cycle and continue to walk every day, I’ve been doing that for almost a year now and during the summer walked about 5 hours each day with the Alpacas. Glad your training was successful, hope mine goes as well!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Steve, thanks for visiting. I followed your journey on your run last year and to be honest it was one of the things that inspired me to do it, together with Steve King’s cycle event. I thought about all the people I know who have trained for something big and got on with it. It is achievable, as everything in life is if you put your mind to it. I’m just trying to finish all the Christmas chocolate quickly before training starts!
Thanks for the sponsorship offer, I’ll be posting about it at a later date.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy
Definitely rather you than me….
I’m not sure I’d live to the finish line these days….lol
And I certainly don’t relish the thought of going outside on these cold and frosty mornings!!!!!
Ask me again when it’s warmer…lol
Erm… can I dig out my trophies from 1983 and 84 – when I was in the winning team for the 20+ mile run over 3 peaks carrying full British Army Webbing?
OMG – How long ago!!
lol
Randy
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Hi Mandy,
Wow, quite a way to celebrate becoming 50, and for a great cause too. It is quite a feat doing a half marathon, I keep telling myself I should keep fit, but then I talk myself out of it too. Perhaps when the big 60 hits me in 2 1/2 years lol.
And like Randy I’ll dig out my trophies from 1972 when my team broke the current record for the same three peaks. Not in the army though.
Barry
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Hi Randy, thanks for visiting. I have to admit the task is rather daunting, I’ve never done anything like this in my life. I’m going to focus on the gym and swim til it gets warmer! Congratulations on your achievements!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Barry, Thanks for visiting. I have to admit to being rather an armchair sportsperson! I know this is a big challenge for me, but I am very determined.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy
Well done you on taking on the challenge and let me know how we can sponsor you as your running for a really good cause…
So when exactly are you 50 then???
And I hope your still gonna partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy (lol)
Take care
Dawn
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Hi Dawn, thanks for visiting. The marathon is May 13th and I’m 50 in June. I’ve set a sposorship page up with Just Giving, http://www.justgiving.com/MandyAllen286 and will write a post about it next week. Still waiting for my pack to arrive so I can get my offline sponsors sorted. Had lots of promises so hopefully will do well fo rthe charity, thanks for offering.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy