So, following time spent just running on the spot of the Wii Fit, I'm finally biting the bullet and going out to run. This will include the wonderful Parkrun, which runs 5k runs all over the country every Saturday at 9am (and best of all, is free). This ought to give me a good idea of my baseline fitness.
The event takes place in Endcliffe Park, just off Ecclesall road in Sheffield. I have to admit, I'm relatively nervous, not least because I haven't run this distance since I was around 15 years old, and I have a friend visiting that weekend, so I likely to be running 5k on the back of a massive Friday night bender, but such is life! At least I know that this is (hopefully) my worst, and hence a good benchmark to work from.
In other news, I'm deciding what charity to finally run for. I have already decided on a cancer charity (as it was recently rather succinctly put by a friend of mine, "cancer's a cunt"), but which one? Should I go for a national charity, like Cancer Research UK, or a more local one, such as Cavendish Cancer Care, Weston Park Hospital or Amy's Retreat? How about a hospice? Too many of my family have had to use one, but the care and support they provide is amazing, and I'd love to be able to help them. What do you think?
Sponsor me please!
I'm fundraising for Neurocare. To help me support this great cause, sponsor me by clicking above or texting NEUR95 £5 to 70070. Thank you!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Training
Sunday, 1 April 2012
A New Plan for an Old Blog!
OK, so this was originally my blog for Lent 2011 when I decided to stop drinking in order to raise money for Sheffield Alcohol Support Service. Well, as I've recently gone on a fitness bender (last week at the parents ignored for a few moments) I've decided to go the whole hog a train to actually do something useful! Oh yes people, I present Lewis' new running blog!
I'll be training to run the Great Yorkshire Run this is a 10 kilometre run around Sheffield City Centre, taking place on 2nd September 2012. I will then be looking to run the Sheffield Half Marathon in May next year (I think May 27th this year is probably a little early to run a half marathon straight from the box), and I look to run a marathon ASAP. All this will be in aid of (mostly likely) a Cancer charity tbc. I myself have lost many family members to cancer, including my granddad not long after I was born and both my nan's had cancer at some point although it was not what finally killed them. Other members of my extended family have died from this horrible disease, and there are still more loved ones currently suffering. I'm sure you all know someone who had suffered from cancer, so please, dig deep and help me.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Penultimate Day
Had a decent end to sobriety today. Pool at the Common Room, watched Leicester's tight defeat at Forest, and then sat in the Old Monk watching snooker on the big screen in Tudor Square. Addam's of course, refused to take any money, so the Tenner I owe him is being put to SASS in his name - cheers Adds!
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Wedding...
Seem to have missed out on this blog for a bit. Well, managed Loren & Ben's wedding fairly well, but was helpful that I was running around like a blue-arsed fly most of the time! Certainly focuses the mind on not boozing!
Out tonight with Jen, Addam and Chris. Don't think they've ever seen me sober!? Oh well, Harley, more places, then Leadmill - ought to be a laugh. Will be good not getting drunk anyway, as I need to get up in the morning to watch the Chinese GP!
Working as a Census Collector at the moment as well. My areas are West Street and Kelham Island, or, bars, bars, nice bars and real pubs... It's a challenge I can say that!
Still, all going well so-far, and only a fortnight to go. Can't wait!
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Weddings!
Don't forget why I'm doing this - for SASS, so please do give generously!
Well, wedding, singular, for now.
Saturday was Helen and Adam's wedding (photos here by the way), the next major test of my sobriety. Have to say, it was really very odd. basically, I just felt like a lemon who couldn't dance, which probably means I can't dance, but I'm normally too pissed to care! The main difference I noticed was that I do still get annoyed by drunk people bumping into me, but now my brain can work quickly enough to stop me before I turn around and lamp someone!
Again, the major debate here is what to have instead of alcohol, although in many ways, this issue actually arises less frequently than in a pub, so perhaps a wedding is easier? OK, sitting at the table having a meal with bottles of wine everywhere (and everyone drinking them) whilst sipping mineral water was really quite odd, but once the meal is over, there's no need for a drink. In a bar, one enters the premises, orders a drink, and sits down. The session is then punctuated at regular intervals by "anyway, it's your round", "want another one pal?" or similar phrases every time someone's drink reduces to one-third its starting volume. Weddings have no issue, you dance, and then get something when you're thirsty. It's far more like a nightclub.
Following Saturday's pleasantries, we headed back home via Crookes, and watch the Calcutta Cup match with Austin, and some large frozen pizzas. Again, an occasion of possible drinking, but with Jen driving, beer wasn't even mentioned. All good!
Off tonight to see Drenge at the Washington. Should be a good night - I'm almost getting used to this sober thing!
Please though, give generously.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Not a Mess & Beer Festivals
Then of course, the first thing I see as I enter the bar, is that poster (right) for a massive real ale and cider festival. Typical, I stop boozing, and all the good booze rocks up to the local bars! Still, I guess that there'll be a lot of tests during my sobriety . This beer festival, Helen's wedding this weekend and Loren's on 26th, Nat's birthday coming up next weekend and Sheffield Tiger's first meet this Thursday. I just have to remember why I'm doing this - to raise money for SASS, and to prove the Reluctant Vegetarian wrong ;), and of course, for myself. They'll be plenty of time for the rest of my life to get Pass the Pepsi!
Thursday, 10 March 2011
sobriety sucks
Brevity is, I feel, the daughter of tram-blogging, so brief I shall be...
So,doing well. Lent only started yesterday, and I've already been invited out for a curry and a pint. What's worse, Kristina's invited me out, and our post-work Wetherspoon Curry Thursdays often got fairly messy (not as messy as our Friday or Saturdays,but hey). It'll be weird being out with her sober. Maybe I'll realise she's actually a horrible person? I'd be surprised, though!
I've been thinking... How about if every time I go out, I add an extra £5 to the pot myself? I'd be easily saving myself more than that anyway, so I may as well chuck it in? We'll see how often I go out his Lent - I've already got three weekends and this and next Thursday planned, could get expensive.