Turning a corner

I haven't posted here in a little while, mostly because I've been so utterly depressed about my progress.

The enormity of the challenge was beginning to hit home as I struggled to run a few kilometres without collapsing. I began to feel that I was never, ever going to be able to do it and that I would be letting everybody down.

The running was always going to be the hardest part for me. I hate running. I'm not exactly a regular cyclist (I don't actually own a bike as yet!) but I've often done a bit of cycling at the gym and whilst I might not be the fittest person on earth I find it at least possible to keep pedalling. Swimming I love, I'm actually sort of looking forward to that part (which is even better as that's the bit that Pete's worried about - it's nice to actually be better at something for once!). But running... there are no words. I hate running. I find it unbelievably painful. I don't know what it is, but even at my most fit (which was many years ago!) even short distances make my chest burn, my legs ache and my will to live ebb slowly away. So I knew if I could break the back of the running, I could manage the rest. And that wasn't looking good.

Until yesterday. I have had an epiphany. Yesterday I ran 5k and not only did I not have to walk any of the sections, but I actually sprinted a couple of times. Only because Pete made me, but still. I did it. I made it round. And after a sprint finish I think I actually had a little bit left in the tank. Not that I wasn't overjoyed to finish, but I could have kept going if I had to. And I do have to, that's the whole point. Because we're raising money for two amazing charities who don't get talked about enough (NSPCC and the MS Trust) and we have a lot of people behind us believing in us. That makes a huge amount of difference! (Particular thanks go to my wonderful friend Sanchi, who nearly made me cry before my run last night by being so supportive and so confident that I could do it. Her words were in my mind the whole time I was running, and it kept me going.)

So do please keep supporting us, because it's the only way we're going to make it! Thanks to everyone who has sponsored us so far - you are amazing!

(You can sponsor Sleepy on behalf of the NSPCC here, or sponsor Grumpy for MS Trust here. Thank you.)