I visited Bluewater shopping centre on Thursday with Bex and Kirsty from uni, we even managed a bit of extra training by walking for over 30 minutes trying to find where we had parked! I don't like most of the clothes and fashion in the shops at the moment and therefore decided I was better off buying running gear, which I did. I have wondered about purchasing some lycra tights to keep me nice and warm on those cold morning runs for a while now; however I don't really like the thought of full length lycra tights. They would do nothing but make my legs look ridiculously long if I just wore the tights, much like one of the machines in War of the worlds, but with only 2 legs obviously. Or I could wear running shorts over full length tights, but this makes people look like they are wearing a skirt, which I equally do not wish to look like. But I found a reasonable compromise by purchasing some lycra shorts to go under my running shorts. Along with a new running top which feels great. Below is a nice little representation of what my new gear looks like on me-ish, as I left my camera sd-cards up north. (there is definitely a career in art ahead)
I've always thought it a bit silly to set new years resolutions, many people only give in after a few days, or its something which you don't do anyway so its hardly a 'new' thing to stop doing it. But I thought one aspect of my training I'm neglecting is my diet, aside from my precision breakfasts I don't really eat well at all. So my decision is not eat chocolate (standard), no drinking alcohol (apart from on my birthday) and have only a little salad dressing with my salads, as opposed to the usual smothering of mayonnaise! I hope I can stick to them between now and race day.
The last week has seen some very generous donations from people which I am hugely grateful for, and I'm almost at the 20% mark for my total sponsorship which is a tremendous achievement considering I haven't started badgering people for sponsorship in person just yet! Student loans come in next week so it would be fantastic if you felt you were able to sponsor me, it really will make a huge difference to HOPEHIV and the work they do. Below is Tom's story, I thought I would share it as it really hit home that this is a young man, the same age as myself, and how his life has been transformed through one of HOPEHIV's projects, not just changing his life, but now also those around him.
Toms Story
Tom is 20. After his father died, his mum remarried and left, leaving him with his sister who had four children of her own to look after. Tom told us that he had to steal and work as a prostitute to survive, and that he used alcohol to help him cope. His life turned around when he was selected by Malawi Presbyterian Church Orphan Project (supported by HOPEHIV) to be trained as a carpenter. After training, he was given his own tools and is now running his own business. As well as supporting himself and helping his sister, Tom has taken on two apprentices who are orphans themselves.
Thanks for reading, I hope you have had a great start to 2011, and that this year holds many exciting times ahead.
