Pain is temporary...

I finished the Marathon!!! YAY!!!

Sunday turned out to be an absolute beaut of a day, glorious sunshine and a great crowd to cheer on all the runners. 

I managed to make friends with Caroline on the start line who was a lovely lady from Leicestershire, had a cracking laugh and made sure all my nerves went straight out the window. What a doll! The start went well and I was doing about 10 minute 15 sec/20 sec miles to start off with. It was actually quite emotional, which surprised me (I know, get a grip!). Still, it was a lovely, sunny start.

It is such a bizarre experience running through London, past incredible landmarks like the Cutty Sark and the houses of Parliament. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of running with so many people too.The first half of the marathon was brilliant, those 13 miles were awesome!

But absolute bummer, by mile 13 not long after the beautiful stretch over Tower bridge, my left hip gave out and I had to really slow down. Gutting! Still I managed to keep going, just lots slower. It's always a sad moment when two people in a camel costume overtake you!

I didn't necessarily hit the 'wall' but miles 21-24 were pretty painful. When they say that a marathon is largely 'mental' it definitely is. From mile 24 to the end, I sped up (shutting any pain to the back of my mind) and just pushed my body as much as I could. It's really incredible what the human body is capable of, and I have no idea what energy burst I got, but it was great to really go for it and finish well.

So in response to the challenges Charli set me...

I didn't spray myself with water, but ran through all the showers they had on the course( I know, how cool they had showers!?!) Also managed to get soaked by some firemen who had stopped to watch and were just hosing down all the runners.

I think my favourite costume was Percy Pig, who ran past me at the beginning, although I managed to catch up at the end (phew!). I also really enjoyed the dude in a rhino costume who kept quite a strong pace.

I met a red power ranger! It was quite awkward though, he came up on my left side and I was quite shocked to see him there, so I just said quite excitedly 'Oh my goodness it's a red power ranger!!!' and he just said, 'That's what I was going for...' and then I felt awkward so just squeaked and sped on.I guess we're kind of acquaintances?!... not quite friends. 

I did wear my foil blanket like a cape, this is me being all emotional at the end (endorphins/lucozade/exhaustion/JOY etc.):

And I know all of you are wondering who's bum I touched, well, interesting story:

I was wiggling my hands by my sides at about mile 4 to make sure I could get some blood flowing there, and managed to flick my hands into some man's front parts... that was a  uncomfortable exchange for us both... I just moved to the middle of the road and chuckled to myself. 

THEN, mile 9. Some guy who it turned out was also running for Amnesty, smacked me on the bum shouting 'Go Amnesty' (I had my headphones on)- I was totally confused until I saw him run past and saw his vest, he then turned round and gave me a thumbs up. So, I guess an added challenge bonus?... I hope I get extra points for that one.

It's sad that the Marathon is over, but I am so pleased to be able to tick that off my 'bucket list' and look forward to the next thing. I definitely need some time to recuperate, but I'm heading to (walking to) the gym tonight with Zara in an attempt to keep my body moving (if I'm still for too long I tend to seize up- getting out of bed is an absolute mission!), I'll keep you posted.

All in all, thank you so much for all of your support and encouragements. It was absolutely amazing to see my parents and Stefania, Jon (sorry I was definitely in the 'zone' and didn't spot you!), brothers (and their friends) and my amazing friend Sophie all cheering me on along the way, thank you all for coming!

I have been so overwhelmed by people's generosity and kindness, you are all so wonderful! Thanks for joining me on this journey and in response to a few requests, I am hoping to continue blogging. There is a project called Just Love which I am a part of that will be launched on 29th April here in Oxford, if you are interested check it out on facebook. I am co-ordinating a part of it which is about female empowerment and focuses on raising awareness and involvement in the campaign against trafficking; I'll be blogging on there. I'm also hoping to start a new blog, with new challenges now that my marathon training is over- shall keep y'all updated! 

Lots of Love xx

Thank you/ Gracias/ Merci/ Danke/ Shukran... I've run out

Well, hello there.

Tomorrow is the big day. Not the biggest day ever. But a big one still.

I can't believe it has finally come. After 6 months of training, running in rain, snow and sunshine, training with friends, then running solo and of course, dealing with crazy wiggly hips; I finally get to run the race I've been dreaming of running for years!

Yesterday, I got all my kit together, sorted out my train schedule to get to Greenwich and of course, tried on my racing outfit. So if you're in London, or maybe watching at home... keep your eyes peeled:

We had a mini photo shoot in the garden, my absolute favourite moment when Alex (chief photographer) tells me to- ' do the leg pop... it works.' * 

But, before I leave you readers until after the Marathon, I just wanted to say a few thank yous.

Prepare yourself for (the best christmas party ever)** some sop...

1. My Ma and Pa. Wow, I love my parents. You are such a great model of how parents should be. You challenge me, inspire me, support me and love me. From your generous giving to Amnesty, through to how brilliant you are Ma-getting me energy gels and lucozade, sending me sports bras (an annoying necessity for any girl taking up running)  and coming cycling with me as I ran my 22 miles. THANK YOU Mama and Paps.

2. Boyd and Alex. Aka- The best brothers a sister could have. Your generous donations, encouragements and coming up to support me on the day mean so much. You know just how to lift my spirits and I can't stop myself laughing whenever we hang out. You're the best, danka.

3. Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents. (The Kimbers and The Gwyther Clan). You are brilliant. Thank you for being constant. Always encouraging and loving as ever.

4. The "Dubliners". Our whatsapp sessions make me laugh so much, you girls are such an incredible support and bring me so much JOY. Can't wait until 9th August when we shall hopefully all be reunited again, Nina, Jess, Beks, Gem and Inz- BIG LOVE to you.

5. Pastorate/ St. Aldates friends. Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragements and hilarity. I love spending time with you, and getting to know y'all especially in pastorate. I have a lot of love for pastorate.

6.Worcester peeps. You are wonderful. Thanks to the JCR for such a kind donation, for everyone who bought fudge and cookies, for people in every year who have supported me and of course Zara for training for and running the half marathon with me!

7. Geography friends. Thank you for the donations, encouragements, snapchats (Katy they have made my day) and motivational texts. You are wonderful!

8. St. Andrews friends/family. (Pillow/Saz , Charlotte, Conners, Ranald and Judith, Simon and Janet, Geoff and Elaine, Jenny, Diana and Alison) Thank you for your support, whether emotionally, financially or lovely messages through mum, I am incredibly humbled by all of your kindness.

So, here goes.... AND a few extras which my wonderful friend Charli has challenged me to do... these are my top 3:

1. Make friends with/ have a photo with someone dressed as a power ranger.
2. Use the foil wrap as a cape and get other people to join in.
3. 'Accidentally' touch someone's bum as you jog past them. Cheeky! but hey, no regrets...***

Me and my brothers love this video, and have spent the day dancing to this. whatever you're doing, be inspired, appreciate today and shake it out. Go on.

* Rockin the 'oh so sexy pink compression socks' for my tendonitis...

**To get the reference you need to watch: Bane outtakes

***Let's hope it's some hot celeb.

Change

I avoid it as much as I possibly can. Surely most people do right? We get into small routines, like brushing our teeth twice a day, having a cup of tea at breakfast, walking the dog. And when something comes along, like you drop your toothbrush in the toilet and you can't brush your teeth that morning or someone uses up the last of the milk and you have to have black tea (nightmare), it freaks us out.

I am someone who used to actively resist change. I absolutely dreaded it. Despite uprooting twice to Venezuela and Egypt, starting new schools and joining new communities I still disliked change and not having a 'normal' routine. 

One year, when we had to change the clocks forward or backwards (I can't remember which), I left my clock at the wrong time, and lived for a year, always remembering I was reading the time an hour late- so rebellious. 

But I started to realise, that without change, and embracing new things, I was living in the past (literally). Change happens all the time. And yes, it is sad when change means that you have to let go. Move away from friendships or relationships and focus your time on new things. 

Yet at the same time, change is exciting, it opens up opportunities for growth. 

New friendships, new passions, new experiences.

Change isn't always bad*.

When I was 15, I started running because I wanted to get in shape. I, like many girls that age, was ever conscious about my body shape, the way that I looked and what other people thought when they saw me. My goodness, the amount of time that teenage girls can spend focusing on this, is ridiculous!  

However, as I've grown older and running has become more of a passion of mine, my perspective has changed. Yes, I still want to be healthy, but the way that I view myself and others has changed.

Gone are the constant thoughts about what people think of the way I look. I finally found that striving to fit the image of what is 'pleasing to the eye' is tiring, stressful and frankly a waste of time. 

The way I see and value people is completely irrespective of their appearance. It catches me off guard when people say- 'did you see what he/she was wearing?' because I never really think about it. Sometimes I notice if someone is wearing something particularly cool or beautiful, but if I'm honest even that is rare. 

My body has changed whilst I have prepared for the marathon, I have gained weight, and lost weight. I have bigger thighs and now have strange little bicep muscles. I even got a hair cut.

A recent comment from one of my good friends really caught me off-guard, 'you can definitely tell you've been training, I mean check out your butt.'** 

I have changed

Don't get me wrong, I still sometimes have little niggles about my body shape or about what to wear each morning. But it doesn't consume me. The way I look certainly doesn't define me. 

Appearance doesn't determine the relationships that I have. I cannot account for how other people view me, but I hope that it goes beyond the surface of how tall I am, whether I have make-up on or what size jeans I'm wearing. 

My perspective, my body and even my mind has changed. Running such a long distance and training for so long, has definitely made me more determined, made me appreciative of having a healthy, functioning body and incredibly grateful for all of the support from family and friends. I know myself more. Hours of running by yourself means you can't really distract yourself from yourself (if that makes any sense).

So change, however scary it may seem at first, can be good.

Reinvigorating.

Liberating. 

Needed.

Maybe we just need to loosen the death grip we can have on things that make us comfortable, and start to go with the flow a bit more. That sounds uber hippie, sorry, but you get the sentiment!

Running update:

• After a few light runs last week, I decided on doing a 6 mile run on the treadmill in the gym. I watched 'Run, fat boy, run' which was hilarious. BUT, managed to somehow pull a muscle in my left leg, so I have spent the weekend and today resting it. It should hopefully be fine soon though!
• This has meant I have hardly left the house and am starting to feel a bit like a recluse. With Alex, and my parents all away at the weekend, I have been reading for my dissertation, watching the Masters and putting my feet up. Being barely active is driving me crazy, so this week I will hopefully manage to do some cycling/walking/cross trainer-ing! 
• Just under a week to go, thank you so much for the donations so far I am so grateful!!! If you haven't donated and would like to, here is my justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/jennygwyther

*My friend Will posted this on Susie's facebook wall, had to share it, it's amazing!

**If you know me well, you'd appreciate this would normally make me go red and feel really uncomfortable, but she's one of my oldest friends so I let it slide... #stillblushed. 

I don't wanna wait

In just under 2 weeks time, I'll be running the London Marathon - jeepers!

Check out what came in the post:

To say I'm excited is an understatement. I completely cannot wait and as the days draw nearer and all I have planned is finishing off bits of work before uni, going for 'light' runs and walking the dog, it's safe to say that I'm getting a bit impatient.

Patience has never been my strong point. I remember when I was turning 6. We had just arrived back in the UK after living in Venezuela and I could not wait for it to be my birthday. I was sharing a hotel room in Chorleywood with my mum and woke up every hour from 10pm til 5 am, waiting to get that 'birthday feeling' which I thought you were meant to feel when you turned 6. Poor Mama G!

Being patient is a hard thing when you get excited by so much, and thinking about the future is no different. A few years ago I watched a film called The Bucket List, if you haven't seen it, it's really good, definitely watch it! Anyway, the film (as you can probably guess) is about two men going through a list of certain things that they want to do before they 'kick the bucket.' And ever since I watched the film, I've been making a list of my own, adding to it different challenges, hopes and dreams that I have for my life. And for your eyes only, here are some of them (I'll let you take a guess which ones I've actually done):

Learn to surf, snowboard and water ski

Have a handicap of less than 36

Drive across America and see the Grand Canyon

Experience life on a farm

Volunteer with something I'm really passionate about

Do a ski season

Build an igloo.

Travel (Australia, Chile, Vietnam and Madagascar)

Write a blog

Perform at an open mic night

Be a bridesmaid

Have my first kiss (had to include a cringey one)

Go to Cadbury World

Cook Christmas Dinner

Climb a mountain

Sky dive

and of course... run the London Marathon.

There are a few (quite a few) more things on my list, but they get quite cheesy so I'll leave those hidden, safely at home. I guess the issue is, there are so many exciting things to do in life, I just want to do them all now! This song has pretty much summed up my week, as well as made me want to watch Dawson's Creek again...

I was catching up late last night with one of my close friends from home about life, uni and, yep of course, boys (oh typical girl chat).

With both of us having never been in a relationship before we were laughing at how impatient we've been in the past to be in one. We concluded that the time we've spent being single has instead been quite a blessing. Now with the different people/boys that are in our lives we encouraged one another to be patient, to know that whatever is in store for us, will happen when (and if) it happens. And that's not always an easy thing to let sit. In some respects I prefer my brother's advice when it comes to boys 'Basically, just go up to him and kiss him. See what happens.'

Let's be honest. I would never do that. For one thing I am significantly shorter than said boy (or any boy really) and would probably nail my face in his chest, get a nosebleed, and then feel uber awkward. 

But back to the point, it is said that patience is a virtue, and I understand that, I do. You learn a lot when you have to wait for something. 

It is in the waiting that we can appreciate truly what we are waiting for. 

That doesn't make it easy though. And I'm realising that it's ok to feel frustrated sometimes. That's better than indifference. There is a prayer that is written on the front of my bible my mum gave me when I was baptised:

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Whatever you believe, I think the sentiment is the same. For most of the things in our lives, we have the opportunity to make things happen. Most of the items on our bucket lists are achievable. There may be an issue of money, time and goodness knows what which makes it challenging to make those dreams come true. But they are possible. My friend Con always tells me that I'm someone who likes to live life on the front foot. And it's true I like to get things going, experience all I can out of life, push myself to try new things, do things that scare me. I can't fathom a life where I concede to letting it just get 'boring'. 

BUT at the same time, there are things I cannot change. I cannot speed up time and right now, I'm a student, I don't have millions of pounds to my name. So I have to, we have to, learn to be ok with that. Hopefully I'm not going to become Drew Barrymore in 'Never been kissed,' but even if I am, unless I decide a complete personality change then I have to learn to be ok with that.

So after all that, the marathon is only 13 days away (I know I need to get a grip), until then I'll keep training (tapering down) and trying to relax.

Running Update:

• I ran 22 miles last Monday which was great, though pretty tiring! Since then I've limited my runs to only 5-8 miles each which has been good to 'taper down' and relax my legs.
• The next couple of weeks will include a visit to physio to get some more hip exercises (they keep giving me grief) and chilling out-lush!
• Thank you so much to all who have donated, I am so nearly at my fundraising target. If you have any spare change or anything at all you would like to donate then you can do so here: www.justgiving.com/jennygwyther

Hope y'all have a lovely week Xx