57 Days

Well, here it is my declaration to do what once seemed unthinkable. I’m going to run…for 10 kilometers (that’s over 6 miles for you non-metric people).

For some, this may not seem like much of a feat, but for me it is huge. I’m slightly less than graceful and have only run for the odd bus or train. (And lets be honest, even then I’d  rather just wait for the next one). In primary school I went to great lengths to cheat at running the mile in gym class and my illustrious middle school track career lasted all of 3 days.

So when I lace up my sneakers on 1 June for the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin, history will be made.

Why am I doing it? Well, I like to keep challenging myself and in a moment of impulse signed myself up. The Mini Marathon is the biggest all women’s event of it’s kind. It brings thousands of women of all ages and abilities out on the streets of Dublin. It’s serious business for some (like Sonia O’Sullivan, winner in 2000) but for most it’s good for a laugh and a chance to raise the profile of your favourite charity.

I thought I’d use the opportunity to not just do myself some good by working off the Christmas pudding, but to do some good for other women in far off places. That’s why I’m asking friends and family to sponsor my run to benefit a fantastic organisation, One Home Many Hopes, a home for orphaned girls in Kenya. I worked alongside the founder of OHMH in Boston and have seen firsthand the passion and enthusiasm that drives the project to create a loving family for 35 young girls.

Stay tuned on this blog to read more about my adventures training for the Mini Mathon and to learn more about OHMH. Please donate a little or a lot!