There are only 4 days until the half marathon!! My number arrived yesterday 315!!  

Some days, I just want to get the start line, other days, I feel like I have an impending exam. I have found tapering my training quite difficult, as I want to keep momentum. But at the same time I do understand about resting my legs for the big day.

I have been busy pestering friends and family for sponsorship, which has been quite steady.   (www.justgiving.com/ChiHalfBeginners) As well as reflecting on my journey. I can still remember those early April mornings, feeling intimidated and overwhelmed by the whole thing. 

So far the running has already paid off, I have lost 1.5 stone in this process and I really look forward to a run now. It becomes addictive, not only do you feel good afterwards, but I also enjoy the time by myself to clear my head.

I have to pay tribute to my colleague Nick, who became my running partner in the early days. He helped keep me focussed and I can still hear him saying: ‘We’re not finished, one more lap of Oaklands Park’. 
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I can’t wait to get to that finishing line, bring it on!

Not only are Matt, Elaine and Sarah letting the ups and downs of their running progress be plastered around the web, they've decided to join forces in raising money for Children on the Edge's work in Uganda! You can find out more about the project and sponsor them by going to their JustGiving page. Every little helps, and as beginners, they need all the encouragement they can get! 

From June 1st the full training starts! However, a few more challenges have come my way since my last blog.  A foot injury hampered my training for a number of weeks and I have gone back to square one.  This knocked my confidence substantially and I became a metaphorical ostrich! I well and truly buried my head in the sand, becoming more and more overwhelmed by the half-marathon.

Away from the black clouds, there is some good news! I have since met with Gary Williams (Fitness instructor) at Westgate.  He has been totally superb, by not only setting a schedule for me to train but also helping with my confidence.  Gary has even shown me how they can set the half-marathon route (including inclines) on the treadmill.

Having received this boost, I have also been encouraged by my mate Lewis of Brighton Indie band fame Half Hour Hotel who has joined me in the challenge! These shoots of positivity have been boosted furthermore by our new ‘Thursday lunchtime jog’ crew at work.  This involves a route including Oaklands Park and gives me valuable time on my feet.

I almost felt like I couldn’t complete this challenge, especially by starting at square one again.  But with the support of friends and Westgate, I’ve picked myself up and I am moving forward.

It’s already been a rollercoaster of excitement and nerves and it’s only March!! Since agreeing to this challenge, I have felt overwhelmed at what sometimes seems to be my metaphorical Everest.  However, the preparation and support from my colleagues in Chichester Wellbeing and Graham Jessop in particular, has given me some confidence.  I’ve always been one to start things and then just let them disappear by the wayside.  With this, I have no choice, the half-marathon is going to happen and I’m going to be in it.

The first morning was inevitably the hardest; however I had planned my route and my stops.  The stops knocked my confidence and that really bothered me.  But I just carried on, in some sort of blind ignorance.  It’s pertinent that my route is across Tangmere Airfield, one of the most important airbases in the battle of Britain.  The early sun and mist is a striking backdrop, it’s reminiscent of courage, bravery and a never say die attitude. 

Gradually the stops became two and then I challenged myself to no stops at all! When I achieved this, belief started to bubble up inside me.  I then challenged myself to two laps, which is 5K and added a playlist to my armoury.  The 5k was gruelling, but the sense of achievement was incredible.  I strongly advise to get out in the morning, around 6.15am, there’s usually only dog walkers around and the solitude and adrenaline afterwards sets you up for the rest of the day.

Believe me, if you’re reading this and you think you can’t do this, you can.  I used to think like you.    

Matt Gover works for Chichester District Council who are partnering with Children on the Edge in organising the race. He is getting married in the summer of 2016 and is using his half marathon training as a way to get in shape. 

Matt says “I”ve always joined gyms, gone two or three times then stopped so this has forced me to do something pretty big. I’m a complete beginner, this is absolutely ‘rabbitintheheadlights.com’”.