I had my first training session on 26 July on Bournemouth Pier.  After a 5 minute brisk walk as a warm up, we ran for just two minutes and then walked for 3.  Believe me when I say that 2 minutes seems a long time, if you’re not used to running.  We did this 5 times and finished with a brisk walk at the end.  By the way, it also started to rain part way through our session, not hard, but just enough to be a nuisance and, considering we are in July, one could have expected better weather.  Never mind.  It’s probably just as well to get used to it at the beginning, as it was bound to happen at some point during training.

Naturally, all the fears about why had I decided to do this walk came up in that first session and how on earth was I going to manage to complete a 10 mile run in 3 months time, if I could only run for 2 minutes at a time now.  Karen assured me that my reaction was quite normal and I would get there, even though I may have to walk part of the way. 

What’s really important of course is to build up the amount of consecutive running time and without causing any damage.  I am happy to report that it would appear that this morning I am not aching very much, so we must have pitched it correctly. 

Like preparing a presentation or a speech, it’s vital to do the following:

1)     Have a structure.

2)     Have strategies for managing negative thoughts and emotions

3)     Practise

4)     Get training from a professional

My structure is to increase the amount of time I run each week.  My strategies for managing negative thoughts are to see myself arriving at the finishing line and then standing up at Carrington to tell them I did it.  My practise will be 3 times a week and Karen will be supporting me.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

When I stood up at the Carrington lunch to tell those present that I would be participating in the Run, one of my requests was for someone to come and train with me.  It was immediately answered.  Karen Guttridge, who runs (no pun intended) a company called Slim Focus, came and volunteered to train with me.  We had not met before and it was her first time at Carrington. 

If you read my blogs, you will know that I often talk about synchronicity and yet again, I am called upon to use this word.  Let me explain why.  I originally intimated to Wessex Autistic Society about 4 weeks ago that I would probably participate in the run.  A few days later, I went out and bought a pair of running shoes.  Then I did nothing but procrastinate for the next two and a half weeks.  Shall I shan’t I?  I didn’t sign up and I didn’t go out running!  Then I was put on the spot and asked by the charity whether I was going to enter or not. 

So I made up my mind that I would and then spoke to Jonathan, Chairman of the Carrington, and asked if I could get up and speak about the Run at the lunch the following day. Originally, I should have spoken at the previous meeting a couple of weeks before.  At the last minute, I didn’t go and of course, had I attended and spoken, Karen would not have been there.  There is such a thing as divine timing and it would seem that this has operated in my favour, yet again. 

Next blog will be on my first running session …

Two years ago, I stood up at a Carrington Club networking lunch in front of around 60 people and volunteered to do a skydive for Julia’s House, even though I was very frightened of heights.  Many people said that I was brave and they would not do it.  The fact that I declared it publicly meant that I would not go back on my word. I did my sky dive on 8 September 2007 – never again thank you!

Yesterday, I stood up at the same networking lunch with around 100 people and volunteered to be part of the Carrington team undertaking the Great South Run on behalf of Wessex Autistic Society.  I am coming up for 55, have never run in my life, have dodgy knees and am very menopausal.  But I will do this, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees part of the way!   Perhaps a 10 mile race doesn’t sound as glamorous as a sky dive but personally, I feel it will be a much greater challenge, both physically and mentally. 

Coincidentally, the race takes place on 25 October, just three days before the first anniversary of my Father’s death, so it will be an emotional time all round.

If you wish to make a donation, please go to: www.justgiving.com/vanessa.

And watch this space for more news on my training.

Last Saturday, I visited Glastonbury for the first time, to attend an Interfaith Ministry open day.  I arrived early so had a little time to do some window shopping.  Glastonbury High Street seems to be full of book shops and all manner of spiritual and mystical things and very little else.  Everyone knows that Glastonbury is known for its spiritual quality.

So, I guess that what happened next should not have surprised me.  I was standing in front of a particular shop scanning the books in the window when one title jumped out at me.  It’s called The Conscious Universe by D Radin.  I thought, that’s strange – I’m sure that I’ve seen that title before.  I realised, almost immediately, that it had been mentioned in the book I was currently reading, The Art of Dying by Peter and Elizabeth Fenwick.  As it happened, I had that particular book in my handbag, so immediately took it out, turned back just 2 pages and there was the title of the very same book.  How strange I thought.  I went inside and asked the shop owner about it and he told me that it had only come in that morning!  Talk about synchronicity.  Have you had any such experiences?  Do tell.

I was recently on my way to Essex with a colleague when, early into the journey, I said that I would like to stop at the appropriate time for lunch.  I also made it clear that I did not want to eat at a motorway café.  Then I stated that what would be perfect would be a lovely little pub, with good food and very reasonable prices.  I then let the thought go. 

Some time later, my colleague, who was driving, said we better turn off at the next turning, as this was the last possible place to leave the road, before the motorway.  I said, go for it.  Within no more than 2 minutes, I kid you not, there was a sign saying The Fox Inn.  You could have knocked me down with a feather.  We followed the signpost down a narrow lane and, again, within no more than another 2 minutes, we arrived at the Fox Inn.  In the car park, was a sign saying that they had won the Best Pub Food Award 2007.  It was a good omen.   

On entering the pub, we were immediately struck by the abundance of vases of pink and white lilies, whose wonderful display and fragrance filled the room.  (It also just so happens that we both love lilies!)  We picked up a menu and decided to go for the pub food.  My colleague ordered scampi and chips and I ordered cottage pie and vegetables.  We decided that we would share.  The food was absolutely delicious and we cleaned our plates with much relish.  The cherry on the cake was that the two meals came to under £14.00.  In fact, we received everything that I had asked for and more.  How does this work?  It’s the magic of the universal intelligence, working through us.  In simple terms, there are four key steps:

1)     State clearly and in the present tense what you desire.

2)     Believe that it has already been manifested – the timing is up to the universe, though.

3)     Be grateful.

4)     Let the thought go, so that the creative process can take place.

Try it out.