Blogs

• 08Jul2011

  The Jim & Jack 1 in 6 run blog

  Posted by Jim Sells

  The Jim & Jack 1 in 6 run blog

  National Literacy Trust employees Jack Sallabank and Jim Sells have decided to run 160 miles, in October, to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust. Each week we will be writing a blog to let people know how our training, fundraising and organisation of the run, is going. This is our third blog.

  8 July 2011

  This week is my first week back from my wedding, and then honeymoon in Italy, and despite looking somewhat browner I am also a lot of pasta, pizza and wine heavier.  While I was away I told myself: “The hard work starts when you get back. In the meantime, indulge! The running trainers can remain at the bottom of the travel bag…” Such a liberal attitude has made this week’s training a real challenge, and the thought of 160 miles in 10 days nothing more than a bad dream.

  Whilst on honeymoon I read a book called What I talk about when I talk about running by Haruki Murakami.  In the book Haruki talks about his love of running and the various marathons and ultra marathons that he has run. It was a decent, relaxed, holiday read but what I found interesting was that Haruki, who runs at least 6 miles everyday, runs because he gets immense enjoyment from it.  He doesn’t just enjoy the idea of overcoming a challenge, or the physical release you feel having completed a run, but also the mental freedom that he seems to get when he runs.  This idea of enjoying running is probably an alien concept to many and indeed when I started out last night it was to me as well. 

  A long day of work followed by a commute back to Windsor left me tired and ready for dinner in front of ‘The Apprentice’, but I knew I had to get out and do at least 8 miles.  I set off towards Windsor Great Park and I told myself to enjoy the run, ignore any feeling of pain or potential boredom, and to let my mind go free… and I did exactly that. And I loved it.

  By know means did I push myself or run quickly (8 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes {comment from Jim: Show off}) instead I just ran and I adopted the positive ‘Haruki philosophy’ to running.

   As I ran up ‘The Long Walk’ from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue of King George III, I breathed in the fresh air of the countryside, took delight in running past a herd of more than 100 wild deer, and stopped for a second to take in the panoramic view when I reached the statue.  On my descent back down ‘The Long Walk’ I marvelled at the size and splendour of Windsor Castle. I felt refreshed by the cooling evening breeze and I took pleasure and encouragement from the nods that I shared with my fellow runners. 

   At some point this weekend I will need to lace up the trainers for another run, no doubt doing so will be another battle, and I will resent ever dreaming up the idea of running 160 miles in 10 days. However, I now know that if I embrace the ‘Haruki philosophy’, then my Sunday slog can be a liberating experience. 

Tags: Business and corporate partners, Children, Fundraising and support, Libraries, Schools & teaching, Sports

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