Running the Royal Parks Half

Although a week has now passed since I completed the Royal Parks Half marathon in London, I have to admit to still basking in the afterglow .

The air was crisp, the sun shone and London had never looked finer as thousands of runners made their way from Hyde park, along constitution hill, through Green Park and St James Park, along the Strand, back via the Mall into Green Park and  Hyde park again, looping through to Kensington Garden’s eventually finishing where we started close to The Royal Albert Hall.

Generally I am a solitary runner, I have never been part of a running club, I often run alone and mostly enjoy being solo as I mentally and physically cross of the miles.  However, there really is something quite joyful about running on mass.  The atmosphere usually generated at these kind of events when thousands of people join together with a collective goal of getting to the finish line is uplifting and encouraging.  Mostly runners are running for a charity and raising money for a cause which means an awful lot to them.  There is an awful lot of good will on a day like this, and it lifts the spirits to be a part of it.

On this occasion I was running to raise money for The Pembridge Hospice Charity. The Pembridge Hospice is a place I worked for over 8 years and still have strong links with in my current job so it was a privilege to run and generate funds for a place that continues to mean a lot to me.

If running for 13.1 miles can be classed as fun, then I had a whole lot of fun.  Everything came together on the day, no injuries, perfect conditions and despite my terrific nerves prior to reaching the start line, I  managed to bag a little PB along the way.  I arrived home for lunch with a smile on my face, a medal around my neck, and leg muscles that were starting to rebel.

Thanks to all those who supported me via my Just Giving Page and helped me to raise almost £700 for The Pembridge Hospice Charity.