Well my results came through from last weeks Brueton Parkrun http://www.parkrun.org.uk/brueton/ The results were emailed to me later that same afternoon and I actually did a lot better than I thought!! My time was just under 33 minutes, which although still a fairly slow pace, I felt fairly chuffed after slowing to a walk a couple of times during the 5k. I plan to brave the elements again (and the heavy rain and winds forecast) to get back out in the park again this Saturday, and who knows I could even get a personal best! lol 
This week the training has gone well, I made my maiden voyage in my Brasher walking boots, walking 3 miles round the block during my lunch break at work. I am pleased to say that the boots were very comfortable (I was worried as had been warned about needing to wear your boots in). My toes had plenty of room, my ankles felt supported, and although I originally paniced about getting them dirty (such a girl lol), I soon got over that and just kept walking!
They are these boots http://www.brasher.co.uk/catalogue/products/kanaga-gtx-r-kanagawn and are Gortex lined, meaning that they are great for braving the British weather. I chose them because they had high ankle support (I have VERY skinny and weak ankles!) and they are designed to be a all round boot for mountains, trekking and scrambling, all of which will be involved in Trek Iceland so I hear!!
Walking with my boots clearly worked different muscle groups to my runs, as my shins ached a little bit. I think perhaps that this is just the angle at which my feet were sat in comparison to my old and slouchy trainers. We did a 2nd 3mile walk the following day, and I am getting used to them very quickly, will just need to continue walking in them as much as possible. Weather permitting I may go for a longer walk this sunday and see how I get on.
On Wednesday evening I went round to my cousins for our weekly “fat fighters club” (her name not mine!) and did a 3.6 mile jog/run around her block. I still find running in the cold and dark quite difficult, so we did a very slow pace of (43 minutes) but I definately feel better for getting out there and doing it. There were also two not so pleasant hills involved in this particular route, so all in all, I didnt think we did a bad job!
Overall I do feel like im slowly getting a little bit fitter, the diet coke is still completely off the radar, havent had a single caffienated drink since 4th January now, and water is a big part of the diet instead. Feel so much better for it and even my nails have started to grow – who knew?! The Talis tuckshop have even had to reduce the order of Diet coke after me and Dom both decided to go cold turkey at the same time. We worked out that between us we probably drank about 30-40 cans a week, or as much as a kitchen pedal bin!!! Quite shocking really!
In terms of fundraising, I have now reached 64% of my fundraising target including my £1000 which I used to self fund the cost of the trip. I am overwhelmed with the level of support I received so far, particuarly from my colleagues at Talis, and old friends via facebook. I am not sure I will reach the full amount via sponsorship alone, so have started looking at fundraising alternatives to try and boost the total.
Brasher www.brasher.co.uk very kindly agreed to help support me in my fundraising by supplying a pair of boots and socks (of the winners choice) to raffle off. Brasher are the UK’s leading outdoor performance footwear brand, specialising in all types of walking footwear from trekking and walking boots to multi activity shoes, sandals and socks,
This generous offer went down really well amongst my friends and colleagues, many of whom are also keen walkers and fans of the great outdoors! I was able to make an additional £212 in donations by doing the raffle, and plan to do more fundraising activities in the future to try and add to my total. I have recently applied for a street collection license with Solihull Council, so if you see me stood with a bucket outside the local shops, please do pop and say hi, all that loose change will only weigh you down anyway
If you would like to support me and the British Heart Foundation you can do so by sponsoring me here www.justgiving.com/lccotterill
Lucy xxx
