Run for Charity
If you are new to the ‘Pad’ and wondering what a ’40 x 40′ is, here is the brief explanation:
Back in the day, I had a 40×40 list, a list of 40 things to do before I was 40.
Well, I turned 40 and upgraded the list. One of the things on that new list? Finish the old list!
One of the things on that list? Run for charity
Why run?
In the piece I wrote about creating bucket lists, I laboured the point that nothing should be added ‘for the sake of it’. You shouldn’t pad your list out to get to an arbitrary number or to make it look more interesting.
Why is this relevant?
This task is from my 40 x 40, the bad old days before I knew about the power of lists.
So why is this run for charity task on the list?
The only reason this task appears, if I am being honest, is because my friend asked if I wanted to do a run with her.
I thought “I could chuck that one on the list, and tick it off” and that is why it is there.
This is, of course, a terrible reason to add something to your bucket list, but what is done is done and I know better now… possibly.
Sweet Charity
I have a love/hate relationship with large scale charity events.
They always feel to be more about showboating than actually doing good.
There is no doubt that large sums are raised but at a huge expense. How much does a large concert, or one of those ‘walk the Great Wall of China’ events cost to put on? Even when time is given free, that is still a factor – time is money after all.
There just seems to be something a bit redundant in flying all the way to the Inca Trail, to raise a few hundred pounds for a local charity. If you are able to raise the requisite thousands to get there, shouldn’t that ALL go to the charity, rather than funding a walking holiday?
I fully appreciate that in these hard times, all charities are struggling for donations, and by offering exciting challenges they are more likely to have people get involved.
And I imagine the publicity from the inevitable Insta photos benefits the charity too. It just feels counterintuitive to me.
And don’t get me started on organisations that shouldn’t even BE charities!
Why is the Royal National Life Boat Institution a charity?
Why is it not fully funded by the Government?
It’s probably for some complicated tax reasons, or because there are issues with non-charities receiving donations, but we are an island!
Surrounded by the sea!
These people should be getting paid!
However, this is not supposed to be a rant about fundraising. It’s about a run for charity.
This is about my friend, Cherise, convincing me to join her on a rainbow run, and my subsequently convincing Hannah to join me.
Children’s Hospice South West
This year the CHSW will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. The charity was created when Eddie and Jill Farwell realised the need in the area, after having to travel over 4 hours to the only child-specific hospice in the country with their own children.
The charity has since raised funds to build 3 hospices, that cover the southwest area.
As the particular run that I was involved in was for my 40×40, it actually took place in 2016 (I just have been shamefully slow at writing it up). Therefore it was the 25th-anniversary run and was a very well attended event.
The basic premise was we were to ‘run’ 5km around ‘The Downs’ while being pelted with paint powder – hence a ‘Rainbow Run’.
I say ‘run’, but there were so many people, it was hard to break into a jog…and I’m not great at long distances. It just so happens, that I caught the whole thing on video, so here is the proof I did it.
EBI
While technically completed, I do feel like I cheated a bit on this one. Not just because I added it to my list because I knew I was doing it and I was able to tick it straight off, but because I mostly walked.
This challenge has been ‘upscaled’ to the Kettle List. It is #10 and has the auspicious title of ‘Run’ – which is next to meaningless really.
I mean, Where? When? How far?
Plus there is the all-important detail we are forgetting… I’m not a runner.
I can walk like nobodies business, I can go for miles – very steep hills notwithstanding – but running…
One idea I had was to enter a ‘Tough Mudder’, though I am cautious towards making plans for the summer at the moment. All I can currently manage is a nice walk.
Back in 2019 I signed up to ‘Race at your own pace and got a medal for walking 25 miles, albeit over a month.
My current challenge
So, in true ‘walk before you can run’ spirit I have signed up for another walking challenge. Hopefully, once the weather improves I might get out and about a bit more, and perhaps even start running.
My current challenge involves a virtual climb of Mount Fuji. If I am not going to be able to go visit Japan this year, I will virtually wander around the 47miles from Lake Shoji to the summit.
The app that is provided with the challenge offers the chance to see the actual area that you would be walking through, were you doing the walk in real life. It also sends virtual postcards to your email address that describe the walk and scenery.
With my nightly walks, I am entering my mileage, and getting closer to my goal. That goal is a beautiful Japanese Crane medal.
Once I complete this challenge, I am considering one of the others on offer from the Conqueror website.
The challenges can be walked, ran, cycled even swam. Indoor exercise on bikes or treadmills count, and there is a range of distances to choose from. You could be virtually swimming the Channel, trekking the Inca Trail or possibly cycle the length of Great Britain.
It’s a great way to encourage yourself to complete your exercise goals; I can’t wait to get my hands on that medal!
Maybe the next one I do will be the challenge that finally gets me running properly?
Challenge Accepted
So, in terms of ticking off a fun run for charity, well, yes that one is done. But I have upgraded this task to the Kettle List and will be attempting an actual run at some point.
But for now, this task is…
