The Real Reason I Started this Blog

-


If you have read my "About the Author" section you will know that I started writing this blog because I enjoy running and I enjoy writing. This is true, but I did have an ulterior motive. Time for confession...


In November 2019 my fiancé and I are traveling to Nepal to take part in the impact marathons event. Described on the website as "the hardest but most rewarding race of your life" the course has 1000m of climbing per lap on the trails of Shivapuri National Park, not to mention being around 2000m above sea level! After spending most of the week getting first hand experience of the charity work we are raising money for, Hannah and I will be taking on the half marathon (1 lap) and marathon (2 laps) respectively.
Shivapuri is located North of Kathmandu, in the shadow of the Himalayas. Image: Google Maps

For the next 9 months I will be documenting my training and preparation for the race, but more importantly I will be talking a bit about the charity work we will be getting involved with whilst we are in Nepal. The Impact Marathon Series (IMS) Foundation takes the biggest challenges facing Nepal and seeks out the most extraordinary grassroot organisations who are working to catalyse real change in the country. All the organisations that the IMS Foundation selects to work with will help achieve the UN global goals. Announced in 2015 these are a total of 17 global goals deemed key to the future of the planet.

Even though the race is certainly going to be tough, as a regular runner, and having done a marathon before (albeit a bit of a disaster and on road), I feel a little cheeky asking people to sponsor me to do something that will be such an incredible personal experience. That is why I have planned in a few extra challenges along the way there. As well as both of us taking part in the Continental Thunder Run as two fifths of a team of five for the second time, and entering my 5th consecutive Kielder Run-Bike-Run I have added some more events, including one or two of my own creation.

I'm still working on the details for them and will reveal my schemes when they are more complete, but the first one that is sorted is the Kielder double. After completing the R-B-R on Saturday the 12th of October I will be getting myself ready to take on the marathon the very next day around the same undulating loop of Europe's largest man made reservoir. Should be a great warm up for the big event a month later!
In the mean time, wish me luck and watch this space!

 Subscribe to keep up to date!

Donate https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mattandhannahimpact

Follow us on instagram @runningthebreeze & @hantoddie

Comments

Post a Comment

Enjoy the post or think you have just wasted your time? Let me know!

Popular posts from this blog

I Had a Go at Running in Thailand

-
Image
One of my favourite things that running gives me is a great way to see a new city. Pounding the streets brings you closer than watching the world through the window of the air conditioned taxi as you zip between tourist hot spots. Running often necessitates a visit to a quieter, less touristy place in search of the elbow room, and safety, to run. So when my wife and I set off for our honeymoon in Thailand , naturally, the first thing in my bag was my running shoes!
Read more

Surprise on Simonside

-
Image
This race was proof that sometimes you don't need to try new things to have new experiences, and sometimes you can find yourself outside your comfort zone when you are least expecting it! I first did this brilliant race in 2015. Back then it was my first ever fell race. How things have changed in the last four years! Sitting here writing this, excluding relays, I can’t think what my last road race was! It isn’t that I dislike road racing but I have been increasingly drawn to fell and trail races, and with so many to choose from the calendar quickly fills up! Like many good fell races, Simonside is part of a country show. £4 each got us entry to the show and all the prize worthy veg and baking we could want to look at, not to mention the stalls and entertainment in the main ring. There was even the opportunity to play hook-a-duck using a mini digger! No time for that though, registration was already underway for what is also known as the Mark Webb memorial race. It is 6.5 m
Read more

Nepal Impact Half Marathon

-
Image
Guest author Hannah Walker, my wife, has taken over the keyboard on this one for a different perspective on our Nepal Adventure. As usual, don't believe anything she says about me! Here I am standing on the start line of the 2019 Nepal Impact Half Marathon…. I won’t lie, I have SERIOUS imposter syndrome right now! Everyone around me is telling stories of runs past and how they got on, times I could only dream of at the moment are banded around with effortless enthusiasm…. Nerves had well and truly set in! What have I got myself into here?! I’m not a runner! Over a year ago, whilst discussing with my fiance at the time ideas for our honeymoon, Matt said “how do you feel about Nepal?” My mind instantly wandering to exploring the city, views of the mountains and eating my way around a country that has always fascinated me…. Suddenly I was brought back to earth with a thud at the word “marathon’. Erm… WHAT?! Wait?! I’m not a runner…. But after telling me more about
Read more