A few months ago I stood over Katy’s shoulders in the York Conferences office whilst she completed her entry for this year’s Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon. I couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of my mouth…”I’ll do it with you”! What was I thinking after already doing the then Flora London Marathon in 2006 & 2007 and vowing never to do one again! After I’d said that, there was no going back, but I managed to get two other colleagues signed up also, here are our stories so far:
Me – I ran the Flora London Marathons in memory of my Dad. He passed away on October 1st 2004 after a hard battle suffering with Aplastic Anaemia. He was lucky enough to retire at 60 and enjoyed six months of good retirement, playing golf, days out and holidays with my mum. He was then diagnosed and spent all of 2004 in hospital, barring one day, enduring endless blood transfusions. It was a tough time for him and my family and the only cure left for him would have been a bone marrow transplant, we were all tested but to no avail, we didn’t match. In the end he became too ill to undergo the pre transplant treatment. So, 10 years later, I’m donning my trainers again to run 26 miles, raising money for The Anthony Nolan Trust, please visit my Just Giving page if you would like to support this charity.
Training is ongoing and hard at times especially after being at work all day and having two dodgy knees but needs must; I’m not as young as I was! Training involves the gym, swimming and road running and it’s going ok at the moment, it’s just a case of mind over matter and the thought of Charlie being at the finishing line with a large gin and tonic!
Steve – Running a marathon has always been on his bucket list and what better way of doing one than with his colleagues! He considers it to be a personal challenge as well though and is hoping for a time of 3½ hours. He is always on the go; runs two or three times a week, cycles to work from Selby, a mere 30 miles every day and works out at home with his brother. He is also a PADI instructor so dives most weekends and teaches on a Friday, oh, not forgetting his rugby training and playing!
Steve is raising money for the
Alzheimer’s Society in memory of his Grandma, Kit, who passed away after a fight with Vascular Dementia in November 2013. His Grandma was simply the best, a lady who loved to play scrabble, go for walks in the farmer’s field and jump on the bikes to take a trip to the beach, she did everything and enjoyed life till the very end. In the early stages when his Grandma was admitted to hospital, his Grandad completed a booklet detailing her life and personality, one question asked ‘things which may worry or upset me’ – the response was simple “I am not happy to be away from my family” – family came first and they knew that and the marathon is Steve’s way of saying to his Grandma she is not away from her family, she is very much in all of their hearts. Please visit Steve’s Just Giving page if you would like to support this charity.
Katy – Is always putting off!
“Maybe next time” we hear her say! But after I made her sign up she is now really excited about the challenge ahead. She has never run before so the 26 miles will be her biggest physical and mental challenge to date. Her training is going well and she recently, secretly, completed the Jane Tomlinson Leeds Half Marathon. She has always wanted to do a marathon but never thought she had the courage or indeed fitness to do it. She has re-joined the gym and goes most nights after work and also runs every Saturday at York Racecourse. The training involves careful eating habits so she really is trying to avoid the tempting treats, although this can be hard in an office of people who love chocolate and cake!
Katy is raising money for ABF –The Soldiers’ Charity. She is always volunteering at gigs and various charity fundraising events, trying to raise awareness of the work the charity does in supporting serving and retired soldiers and their families. It is a charity that is close to her and her families’ heart so the 12th October will be a massive personal challenge. Please visit Katy’s Just Giving page if you would like to support this charity.
Emma – This is Emma’s biggest ever physical challenge to date. Back in November she changed her diet, avoiding the office treats admirably and has slimmed down considerably! This is on-going and fits in with her training which involves going to the gym 6 times a week. She has entered a 5k and 10k this summer as part of her training. The diet plan and training have helped to boost her confidence and she has massive support from family and friends. Emma openly admits she has never been an active person but the training and commitment to do the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon really does prove that without struggle there is no strength and the fact we’re in the same boat is just an added bonus! Her encouragement also comes from the reason she is running, read about this below:
Emma will be raising money for the Children’s Hospital Charity for Sheffield Children's Hospital, which is one of only four stand-alone children's hospitals in the UK.
The reason she has chosen to support this hospital charity is because her nephew Jack, born in January this year will need ongoing specialist treatment at this hospital over the next few years. The positive support given to Jack's parents from the hospital before and after his birth has been encouraging.
Running this marathon is important to her for many reasons. Not only does she want to challenge herself both physically and mentally whilst raising money for a charity that will help Jack and thousands of other children, but as a new Auntie it is important for her to set an example and show that anything is possible with the help and support of people around you. Please visit Emma’s Just Giving page if you would like to support this charity.
Follow our progress on the York Conferences news pages and if you have the time, come and support us on the 12th October 2014.