Now, in September 2013, I, Miss Emma Louise Waterfield will be taking on the Great North Run. I've always felt so inspired by the people that you see on television running for their charities, but never in a million years would I have thought that it would be me.
My dad has always been a keen runner - in fact he's an all-round sportsman. I was the all singing, all dancing child - I never had any interest in sport unless it required watching it. Something changed in August 2009 when I joined the gym after having been quite ill and having to have an operation. I made a decision that I never wanted to be that poorly ever again so I joined the gym in an effort to lose weight and become fit, if not necessarily healthy.If you know me, you will also know that I am quite partial to a McDonald's, any kind of take away and my liver receives quite the beating on most weekends from nights out with the girls. I am not what you would call the pinnacle of good health, in fact I can munch my way through a packet of biscuits with the best of them, but I do believe in working out. Not just for my body but for my mind too.
Working out makes you feel fantastic. I know it releases endorphins and all that jazz but to see the results is such a better buzz. To see your body change from all of the hard work is great. Also, to see your fitness levels rise is one of the best feelings ever. You can do things you never thought possible.
In Spring 2010, I signed up to do the Race for Life in Leicester, a 5k run in for Cancer Research UK. Up until that point my training at the gym did NOT involve running. To me running was the devil... it hurt, it wasn't fun, I looked ridiculous doing it and it was something that I has no interest in at all. So I challenged myself. After starting off on the treadmills then moving outside to run down the old railway line, I soon got the bug. I loved it and I completed my first 5k in 30 minutes, overtaking all of my friends who I was supposed to be running with, not because I could but because I needed too. I wanted to keep the pace.
Since then my fitness regime has varied, occasionally going out running, attending classes and gym sessions - until now. In March 2013 I decided that a new challenge was needed - I wanted to take part in my first half marathon. My dad has done the Great North Run twice in the past and he's always told my brother and I how brilliant it was and how much he enjoyed it. And so I decided to take the plunge. It was never going to happen unless I just bit the bullet and signed up, so I did it! I hadn't started training, I hadn't even discussed it with anyone - I just went and signed up on a whim.
Nearly five months on I am now running about three times per week and am now up to eight miles. I tend to just take the leap and push myself outside of my comfort zone. I figure you're never going to improve unless you just go for it! I just wack up my music and off I go.
I chose to run for Mind because I've always had a huge admiration for the help and support that they give to people with mental health issues. It's always been a cause that's close to my heart personally but more so in recent years to my family. My brother (who will be running with me) has suffered from anxiety and depression for a little while now and in his darkest times Mind were there to support him - for that we are truly grateful.
And so on 15th September 2013 I'll run - in a hope that I can raise a lot of money for this great cause to help people with mental health issues, like Andrew, towards a brighter, happier future.
My fundraising page is up and running and if you could give anything, no matter how little it would be gratefully appreciated.
www.virginmoneygiving.com/runemrun
I'm off to sleep now - I've stupidly decided to get up early and do a few miles before I go to work tomorrow. Let's see how that goes, shall we?!
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