You can support Laura's GOLD Marathon at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Laura-Bathgate-GOLD
This coming Sunday 21st of May I will be running
my very first marathon! Yes that sounds very scary, so why on earth would I put
myself through 26.2 miles? To raise money for GOLD Aruba 2017 of course – below
you can find out more about my marathon journey and how to sponsor me.
Since moving to Killin, a small village nestled in the
southern Scottish Highlands, 3 years ago I’ve caught the running bug. I run
10Ks fairly regularly and had done a couple of half marathons so with the
announcement of the brand new Stirling Scottish Marathon coming at the same
time as I found out I had been given a place on a GOLD project I knew that I
wanted this to be my first 26.2, and that raising money for GOLD would be the
motivation to get me through the training and the day itself.
I started my training plan on the 1st of January
but just weeks later fell off the rails with sore shins caused by off-road
winter training in trail shoes which don’t offer as much biomechanical support
as my road running shoes. After a few weeks recovery, some cycling and armed
with new supportive insoles in mid-February I tentatively started from scratch
again, having to be extremely careful not to do too much and aggravate the
injury again.
I ran my first real test mid-March completing the Alloa half
marathon in a time much quicker than I’d expected when I’d set out just hoping
I would make it round. Other highlights along the way have included a glorious
16 mile run around Loch Venachar and the Chocathon Challenge. Now just days
away I’m happy that I’ve done what I could in terms of preparation, it may be
very different to the training plan I set out on in week 1 but I really feel
like I’ve come out of the experience a stronger person.
Girlguiding has given me so many amazing experiences, gifted
me with so many great friendships and taught me so many skills over the last 20
odd years and I couldn’t be more thankful for this. GOLD is giving me the
opportunity to give something back to the worldwide Guiding community. To help meet
my £2000 fundraising target I have been lucky to be supported by local guiding,
my local rotary club and have also been very busy baking and running a fitness
class.
With just a few days to go I’m now looking forward to
getting started on Sunday, I can’t wait to run around the beautiful Stirling
countryside before we finish in the city. I’m not looking for a particular
time, I’d really like to enjoy my first marathon, to make it round in one piece
(and be able to walk at the end of it!) and most of all raise some money for
GOLD Aruba 2017.
Last but not least! Here is the link to my just giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Laura-Bathgate-GOLD
All donations are gratefully received so thank you in advance!
Laura
