Poppy Challenge

I belong to a running group on Facebook made up of mums across the globe. Whilst I am a beginner and can't run often I find the community incredibly supportive and encouraging for all abilities. A great sense of community between the ladies in there.

In conjunction with this group is another that runs online "races". Built around the frustrations of not being able to find races to join the founder created an online community where people could join up online and submit timed races in their own area to compete against people pretty much anywhere. There are distance races and fun runs and charity runs etc it is amazing and you get medals too! Some of the designs are so pretty or funky :) http://www.virtualrunneruk.com/

Anyway one of such races is a November poppy challenge where participants were challenged to complete at least 33k across the month by walking, swimming or running etc.

I had intended to use this challenge as a kick start back into running for myself, but life, stress and my body decided otherwise. Thing is with Fibro you just can't chose your energy levels and when so much else is going on in your life it just makes adding anything else in near on impossible.

So I walked. I walked my children to school. I walked into and back from town for shopping. Walked little by little chipping away at that 33k goal. Until today. This morning, at almost the end of the months time limit I have finally reached my 33k target (33.09 to be precise!)

For some people 33k is nothing, there are members completing hundreds of kilometers to add to the challenges grand total and hats off to them! But for the people living, like myself, with chronic pain and fatigue 33k is a massive amount to accumulate and I am chuffed at the achievement.

I have received nothing but love and support from the community when I posted about my achievement this morning and even inspired other members with the condition which brings me great joy.

The poppy challenge started as something close to my heart, with family in the forces and I will wear my poppy medal with pride when it arrives. But the challenge has shown me something so much more, that I can beat you fibro, you will not better me, or keep me from achieving my dreams. Determination to improve has brought results, little by little I will better myself!

Remembrance

This time of year is an important one for the British public.

It is a time of remembrance and solace, where we look back and remember all those that fought for our protection in the wars. Many giving their lives so that we can live in freedom.

We wear a poppy out of respect, we fall silent for 2 minutes to reflect and show honour to them all.

It is particularly poignant for families, like my own, with brothers sisters, mothers fathers, uncles etc. still serving today. We stand with them hoping our strength and love can travel across the seas to where ever they are now.

Shoulder to shoulder with all who serve.