Ok kids, here's the scoop... I've got everything arranged and am now in the process of raising money for my marathon!
For those of you out of the loop... Last May I ran my first marathon in Edinburgh and despite being ill most of the winter and poorly trained, managed to finish on my own two legs with a respectable time of five hours and forty-eight minutes. This year on May 11th I am giving it another go, except this time I am taking on a much more difficult race on the Isle of Wight and aim to shave more than an hour off of my time to finish in four and a half hours instead.
Running a marathon last year was a life-changing experience. Though becoming increasingly active in recent years, I never considered myself to be athletic. Suffering from asthma and frequent migraines, I have often found strenuous exercise to be very challenging. A few years ago I would have never thought it possible that I could run at all, let alone run 26.3 miles. Now I have been awakened to the possibility of pushing myself in totally new ways and deeply inspired as to what we are all capable of.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am using my running of the Isle of Wight marathon this year as an opportunity to not only challenge myself, but as a chance to contribute something good to the world by supporting a charity that is close to my heart, the London Migraine Clinic.
The London Migraine Clinic, where I myself am a patient, is a world-class non-profit institution that seeks to help individuals suffering from migraine to find the root causes for their pain and to help them better manage these triggers. In addition, it supports important research into why migraine happens and how the millions of us who get these debilitating headaches can better take control over our health and our lives. To learn more about the Clinic's work click here.
Please support me this year in my quest to run the Isle of Wight Marathon and help the London Migraine Clinic in its work by making a donation! Just go to the following link: http://www.colmc.org.uk/ and click on the left-hand tab of "How We are Funded" then on "Donate Now." Sadly there is no space to leave messages when you donate so please drop me an email when you do!
love you guys and thanks in advance!!
Alletta
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
Visits and Vacation
Hello there. Since the last post we have had a bit of excitement (though not too much!). I have finished Spring term and am now on vacation, though busy writing term papers and getting to work on my dissertation. Ryan has been working away at the shop, and has been promoted to 'keyholder' which means he gets paid slightly more to open and lock up the shop.
A couple weeks ago I went on a class trip to Geneva, and had the privilege of visiting the United Nations, as well as a number of international non governmental organizations in the city. Overall the trip was great. All of the places we visited were very interesting and we learned a lot about human rights in practice. Of particular interest was the OMCT (world organisation against torture), who offered us internship opportunities as well as a plethora of free books, and the UK delegation to the UN Human Rights Council, who gave us a government's perspective on the international human rights system. After a year of theory and criticism, this trip was really an inspiration for me--an opportunity to remember why I care about human rights and how it is possible to make the world a better place after all.
A funny big chair outside the UN, meant to draw attention to the problem of landmines. (Notice it is missing one leg in the rear).
Soon after I returned from Geneva, my sister Kendra and her husband Chip came to visit us. We have been thoroughly enjoying having them with us in the UK. Last weekend they went up to Scotland for a three day tour of the highlands, and then on Sunday we went up to meet them, staying for a couple of days with our friends in Dunbar and showing them around Edinburgh. Now we are all back in London where they have been setting off from daily on little trips to the surrounding area, including Dover on Wednesday, Cambridge on Thursday and Stonehenge and Bath today. I went along with them on the trip to Dover and had a great time at the castle, which included a fascinating tour of the complex's extensive underground tunnels, which were used as a hospital and command center during WW II.
Over the weekend they are moving to a hotel near Hype Park, but we will continue to show them a good time around town!
Here I am at the edge of Dover Castle and the edge of England. Notice the coast of France off in the distance behind me!!
A big catapult inside Dover castle.
The castle gatehouse.
The castle keep.
Aside from all this, I am now in the thick of training for the marathon I will run on May 11th on the Isle of Wight. This week I will run 18 miles, and then next week 20!! I have been steadily building up distance and fitness with lots of running, as well as strength training and cross-training on my bike and in the pool. My goal this year is to finish a whole hour faster, in around 4 hours 30 minutes. I can't wait for the race to see how I do this year!
Finally, Ryan and I are packing our bags this month to head out on a cycle ride from Scotland to London (or as close as we can get in 7 days) going along the famous Pennine Way to raise money for development work in Darfur, Sudan. Wish us luck along the way! It is sure to be lots of fun.
love as always,
Alletta (and Ryan)
A couple weeks ago I went on a class trip to Geneva, and had the privilege of visiting the United Nations, as well as a number of international non governmental organizations in the city. Overall the trip was great. All of the places we visited were very interesting and we learned a lot about human rights in practice. Of particular interest was the OMCT (world organisation against torture), who offered us internship opportunities as well as a plethora of free books, and the UK delegation to the UN Human Rights Council, who gave us a government's perspective on the international human rights system. After a year of theory and criticism, this trip was really an inspiration for me--an opportunity to remember why I care about human rights and how it is possible to make the world a better place after all.
A funny big chair outside the UN, meant to draw attention to the problem of landmines. (Notice it is missing one leg in the rear).Soon after I returned from Geneva, my sister Kendra and her husband Chip came to visit us. We have been thoroughly enjoying having them with us in the UK. Last weekend they went up to Scotland for a three day tour of the highlands, and then on Sunday we went up to meet them, staying for a couple of days with our friends in Dunbar and showing them around Edinburgh. Now we are all back in London where they have been setting off from daily on little trips to the surrounding area, including Dover on Wednesday, Cambridge on Thursday and Stonehenge and Bath today. I went along with them on the trip to Dover and had a great time at the castle, which included a fascinating tour of the complex's extensive underground tunnels, which were used as a hospital and command center during WW II.
Over the weekend they are moving to a hotel near Hype Park, but we will continue to show them a good time around town!
Here I am at the edge of Dover Castle and the edge of England. Notice the coast of France off in the distance behind me!!
A big catapult inside Dover castle.
The castle gatehouse.
The castle keep.Aside from all this, I am now in the thick of training for the marathon I will run on May 11th on the Isle of Wight. This week I will run 18 miles, and then next week 20!! I have been steadily building up distance and fitness with lots of running, as well as strength training and cross-training on my bike and in the pool. My goal this year is to finish a whole hour faster, in around 4 hours 30 minutes. I can't wait for the race to see how I do this year!
Finally, Ryan and I are packing our bags this month to head out on a cycle ride from Scotland to London (or as close as we can get in 7 days) going along the famous Pennine Way to raise money for development work in Darfur, Sudan. Wish us luck along the way! It is sure to be lots of fun.
love as always,
Alletta (and Ryan)
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