Sarah - 'What inspires me to put my trainers on'

So… I think it’s safe to say that this running thing was not going well.

Having warily agreed to sign up for the Chi Half quite a few months back, I struggled to get into a routine or to get off the sofa, with uni deadlines looming and every other excuse under the sun, running had been lodged firmly at the back of my mind, only surfacing every so often for a jog around the block.

I work for Children on the Edge, and through this running challenge I’m hoping to raise money for our projects. It turns out, that with help from my colleagues, and inspiration from the cause I’m running for, I can go further than around the block.

With our Comms Officer, Esther asking me to write a running blog and Emily (who is one of the main organisers of the Chi Half) sneaking me old issues of running magazines for inspiration, I quickly started to panic. I felt there was no way on earth that I was ever going to do this. A well timed road trip with Ben (our Head of UK) had him quizzing me on my running and trying to find reasons behind my laziness. He also casually mentioned that he might be able to help -  a suggestion I brushed off with a wary giggle.

Later, Serena (our Community Fundraiser) managed to convince me that taking Ben up on this offer to help was the only way I would have a fighting chance of getting round the course in October. Within 5 seconds of agreeing, I had a horrific looking training plan, was signed up to Strava, had agreed to run with him every Monday and a sick feeling in my stomach!

I am now quite a way into that horrific looking training plan and I have completed a few Monday runs with Ben. I often hurt and ache but I haven’t been sick or passed out and I always surprise myself with how far I can go.

Last week I was lucky enough to go out to Uganda to take part in the yearly playscheme at the Child Friendly Space we run in Soweto. The week was incredibly full-on with lessons in the morning (around 150 children aged 3-5!) and play sessions in the afternoons where children from the community were welcome to come and join in. We led activities such as sock puppets, making crowns, volley ball, making collage pictures of the local environment and completing an outside wall mural to brighten up the space.

I was also able to visit the two new areas that we are starting to work in and met the Community Child Protection Committees and some of the local people we’re helping. Over the course of the week I met some truly inspirational people, from the wonderful staff who form these committees, to the social workers who support them, the incredible team of teachers, cooks and security who work everyday to keep the Child Friendly Space safe and to provide for the children.

It's rare that people have such an affect on me and I was overwhelmed by the passion and the kindness of everyone I met, all of whom are fighting against all odds to provide a better future for the children in their communities.

Whilst in Uganda I managed to squeeze in two training runs and I found that I had a new sense of steely determination. I ran further and for longer than I ever have before and that was in the African heat, along dusty and potholed roads! I found to my immense surprise that I was enjoying running. This was probably helped by the old man on his motorbike who got off and ran with us and the group on the corner who gave us a little cheer every time we ran past!

It is these wonderful people I met who get me out of bed in the mornings and back into my trainers. I am lucky enough to be able to go to work everyday to do my bit for the vulnerable children we work with, but every little helps and the more money and awareness I can raise, the more children we can help.

One thing is for sure, if I get round that course in October, it will be 100% a Children on the Edge team effort.

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If you'd like to sponsor Sarah in her challenge, please go to her Justgiving page, or if you would like to have a go at running for Children on the Edge, set up your own Justgiving page and get in touch with Serena who will give you all the support you need!