Friday 23rd March 2007, 19:57My MarathonMy Marathon
This time last year at our One Vision conference I met some people who inspired me with their personal achievement of running the London Marathon. I was in awe. They had trained all year in the rain and the snow to build up their stamina so that in April they could complete a tough personal challenge. Fantastic. Not only had they run the marathon but they had raised over £5,000 for the NSPCC. I left the conference very impressed but also slightly bowed that this was something I felt was beyond my reach.
Oh well, I thought, I have other mountains to climb.
The next day I got an email from Deborah Waite who told me she had been approached by Laura Hargreaves who wondered if I would be tempted to run the Marathon next year. Deborah explained that due to my health (problems with my feet, legs) I was unlikely to accept the challenge.
Mmmmmmm I thought. Deborah’s right, I can’t do the marathon, I’m not well. My feet are sore, my legs ache and I have a runny nose…….. and I get out of breath reaching for the TV remote control.
Then I realised that the reason I was not going to run the marathon was I was not accepting responsibility for my own body, my life and my health. I
I was fat, unhealthy, tired and reluctant to accept that the health problems I had (Feet, Legs, Heart) were self imposed consequences of being FAT. And I was fat because I did not care for myself and accept that my health was my responsibility. Not a very comfortable place to find yourself. So after some reflection and discussing it with Sam (my wife) I decided it was time to take responsibility for my health.
The last 11 months have been really interesting. I have lost over 5 stone – 34 kilos. I have lost 15 inches round the waist, I have lost loads of fat, cholesterol and baggage.
I started walking, walking fast, running – walking, running-walking-running, running slowly. In the process I have scared a few locals on the pavements, given Olivia and Tom (my children) loads of giggles and thrown out lots of clothes.
I have been inspired to run the marathon and raise money for a very special school with some very special children. I want to raise enough money to kick start the rebuilding of the school. I know I can make a difference t the lives of these children some of whom have bigger challenges each day than I will have completing the London Marathon.
Training has been good. Loosing weight has been much easier than I imagined (which is embarrassing). No crazy diets, just lots of water, fruit, veg, no wheat, eating breakfast, cutting out daft stuck (packets of jaffa cakes).
I have so many wins out of the last 10 months, new outlook, new clothes, football with Tom, sailing, fitter and increased self esteem. So big Thanks to Laura, Steve Marsland, Steve Glassock and John Ashworth for your inspiration. Thanks to Olivia and Tom and Sam who have been just wonderful in supporting Dad regain his self respect and for never judging me just because I was fat.
I hope my journey over the last 12 months might inspire one other person to take the first step as I did last May.
Now, can you help me? Can you help me raise the £100,000 I need to start to change these childrens lives? If you have a small amount of money in your pocket please pledge it to me via the website I have set up. www.justgiving.com/roynewey clink on this link and it will painlessly take your money via credit card and collect the Tax back from the UK government.
However, if you have more than a few pennies, if you have a large amount of money, maybe a bonus, a gift, something someone has left you in a will, something in your loft you can sell on ebay, maybe you could shave your head for me, organise a collection in your circle of friends – could you send me a load of money. Send me an amzing big lump of dosh. I value those who send nothing but there best wishes and those who send a few pennies – but these children need our support so I am not ashamed to ask you for a load of money because you can help me make a real difference.
So far I have failed to loose all the weight I wanted, I will take an age to complete the course, and I may fail to raise all the money I wish for these children. But maybe with your help, someone can come to my rescue with the money – is that person you?
Go on www.justgiving.com/roynewey
Thanks for all the support so far and all the encouragement.
Roy
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