Rain, wind and hail

I woke up this morning determined to get out for a lunchtime run as I was working from home.  It blew an absolute hoolie last night and sat at home this morning I watched the rain lash, and the hail crash against the window – should I just go to the gym instead?

I like the gym.  I go for resistance training a few times a week, but I’m not one for sweating away on a cross trainer or treadmill.  Don’t get me wrong, they have their uses and I wouldn’t criticise anyone for using them.  My wife is recovering from a running injury so she is using the cross trainer more than usual and this works for her.  Me?  I like to get outside.  I like to feel the weather on my face and the fresh air in my lungs.  Now I know that sounds a little corny but it’s probably that way for a reason.

Today however stretched the limits of ‘weather on my face’.

12pm arrived and I pulled on running tights (they just sound and look so wrong),  long sleeve top, t-shirt,  Goretex jacket,  hat and gloves.  I had no doubt in my own mind that I would be beyond toasty within 30secs of setting off – how wrong I was!

Living where I do I can get out into the countryside within a few minutes.  Running out onto the country road I was literally pushed sideways by the wind and rain.  It was cold.  In fact, it was beyond cold and one of those moments in time where you have to put your head down,  grit your teeth and just get on with it  -  Harry would.   A good thing about inclement weather is that you often focus on the conditions rather than your own pain.  Despite my clothing I was wet within the first couple of miles but I was getting warmer.  This was great running weather I decided so I picked my pace up a bit.  My route took me 4 miles out of Town and then back again. It’s one of those roads where you need to run facing oncoming traffic as it’s a bit of a rat run with puddles galore!  Wet feet and spray from cars makes it even more fun!  I finished with a respectable time – not my best, but that wasn’t my aim.  I got out there!!!

I love running, but for me it’s the feeling afterwards that really puts a smile on my face.  That tingly glow,  those tired legs and the sense of satisfaction.  It’s so much easier to put off a run than it is to get out there.  There is always a reason you can find to not go, but once it’s done you can sit back with a smug,  tingly smile on your face and know you’ve made a difference in ‘Running For Harry’.

Alex Britchfield

News 10th December 2011

It’s important to keep everyone up to date on the activities of RunningForHarry. Since we started to ask people to support us our following has been fantastic. Your continued help is appreciated  - Harry would, I am certain, be very proud of each and every one of you.

So time is ticking away to our first publicised event, the Reading Half Marathon on 1^st April 2012. So many people have signed up so far and there are still places available. It’s one of the biggest half marathons in the country and is going to be a great day! Don’t forget to let us know how your training is going – we would love to hear from you and get some pictures of you wrapped up in your winter running kit for our blogs and Facebook page! The funniest ones will be published shortly!

RunningForHarry isn’t just about the Reading Half Marathon however. You can choose to run any event near you and raise money for RunningForHarry using this link. All monies raised will go directly to brain cancer research. We have people running in Belfast and Frankfurt in 2012 and we would invite you to try and do at least one run next year (what a great New Years resolution!!!). It doesn’t have to be a big event – you can do fun runs, santa runs, school runs – anything you like that can help raise money and awareness for HHHO.

Our clothing range has been a huge success. So many items have been purchased with the profits going directly to RunningForHarry. We would like to thank http://www.giraffe-shop.co.uk for their help and continued support. Without them we could not be doing this. So, if you want to purchase a hooded sweatshirt, running vest, drinks bottle, t-shirts and a number of other items take a look at their online store. Not only is the kit great quality, you will be helping to raise money too.

Yesterday we launched our text donation service. You can now donate to RunningForHarry by texting RFHM50, followed by the amount you wish to pledge, to 70070. Even if you can only donate £1 this will be of great help!

To: 

70070

Text: 

RFHM50

£1

There are other things in the pipeline to help raise our profile but the biggest help comes from you. Without you retweeting, running, pledging and talking about RunningForHarry we wouldn’t be where we are now. Simply put – our success is down to your generosity and support. Thank you!

Alex Britchfield 10^th December 2011

RunningForHarry Sportswear now available

Due to the fantastic generosity of www.giraffe-shop.co.uk we are now able to offer ‘Running For Help Harry Help Others’ t-shirts, bags, caps, polo tops, hoodies and soft toys. Profits from these items will be generously donated to www.justgiving.com/runningforharrymoseley Please take some time to explore the online shop.

We think these items will make lovely Christmas presents and training wear!

Without the help and support of www.giraffe-shop.co.uk this could not be possible!

How can I raise money for RunningForHarry?

You can raise money for RunningForHarry by using the Just Giving link below. It was of paramount importance that funds raised went specifically towards brain cancer research - the charity that Harry worked so tirelessly towards. 

As a result we were unable to set up individual Just Giving accounts for everyone running. However, you can very easily direct family, friends, colleagues and anyone else you can think of to:

www.justgiving.com/RunningForHarryMoseley

Please ask anyone sponsoring you to make a note of your name in their personal message when donating - this will enable you to see how you much you have raised. 

Alternatively you can collect cash from people using the RunningForHarry sponsorship form (this can be requested by emailing RunningForHarry@gmail.com) and make the payment to the account yourself or ask people to Text 


RFHM50
£(amount)


to 70070

Thank you for your support and effort. Together we can make a difference. All money raised will be directed to the charity Harry raised so much money for.  

http://www.justgiving.com/RunningForHarryMoseley 

You can now Donate!

STOP PRESS

We have now managed to set up a Just Giving page specifically dedicated to the Help Harry Help Others campaign. This is where we would ask you make all donations for your RunningForHarry efforts. Monies raised will be directed towards brain cancer research only.

You can ask your family, friends and colleagues to use this link to make their donations. With your help we can raise as much money and awareness into a cure for this terrible condition.

www.JustGiving.com/RunningForHarryMoseley

Thank you for your help, support and generous donations. Together we can make a difference!

Alex Britchfield

Are you running??

So, are you RunningForHarry on 1/4/12? 

We need to get an idea of how many people are signed up for the Reading Half Marathon so far.

Please send an email to RunningForHarry@gmail.com with your name and whether you are running as an individual, or part of a corporate relay team. If you are part of a team please provide us with the names of your three other team mates too.  

If you haven’t signed up yet we hope you will do so shortly. If you can’t run the full half marathon distance you can sign up to the Corporate Relay. Why not transform those Twitter friendships into something special by RunningForHarry together? You can help us raise money for research into brain cancer and help raise awareness of this terrible condition.

There are still relay and individual places left but they won’t be around for long! It’s important that you get a place now and then you can concentrate on raising sponsorship in the New Year. Details of the Just Giving account will be released soon (we are still awaiting confirmation from CRUK).

You can sign up here.

Remember to let us know when you are signed up at - RunningForHarry@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support!

Alex Britchfield  

The beginning of 'RunningForHarry'

Why are we doing this? 

Harry Moseley was a truly inspirational boy, dedicated to raising money and awareness in the search of a cure for brain cancer.  After a courageous battle he sadly passed away on the 8^th October 2011. His family and friends committed themselves to continuing his work.

There is no doubt that the work of Harry had a profound effect on many people, me being one. I decided on the day of Harry’s passing that I would do a number of sponsored events in 2012 to raise money for Harry’s charity campaign.  Talking to a number of others on Twitter we decided to run the Reading Half Marathon in April 2012.

And so it began…………………..

One thing led to another and within 24 hours a small group of people decided to do it too. Fortunately we have some very well connected people in the founding group who managed to ask Duncan Bannatyne (a friend of Harry) to run with us. He agreed, for which we are all very grateful. RunningForHarry had been born!

RunningForHarry is not an organiser of events. It is more of a conduit, directing groups of people towards different running events with the common purpose of raising money in memory of Harry. Reading Half Marathon is the first event, but will not be the last!

So how can you help? 

We would like you to sign up for the Half Marathon on Sunday 1^st April 2012. You can do the whole 13 miles, or make up a relay team of four people and run a leg each. Not everyone can run and we absolutely appreciate this. Maybe you could help promote it, spread the word and get people sponsoring the team on the day? Anything you can do would be welcomed! Below are the links for the race website. We are currently waiting for confirmation of a joint Just Giving account from Cancer Research UK, via www.helpharryhelpothers.com News on this later!

Please go to the Reading Half Marathon website, have a look round it and sign up!

Thank you,

Alex Britchfield

Keep following @RunningForHarry or on our Facebook page ‘Running For Harry’ 

Tuesday 25th October 2011

Tuesday 25^th October 2011

This blog will be updated regularly to post information, news and stories about RunningForHarry.

Please keep and eye open for it!

Alex Britchfield