On the 8th September 2019, I will be running the UK Fast City of Salford 10k with friends and family in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
It’s going to be an incredibly proud day for me and my family as I run in memory of my mum, Julie, who we will have sadly lost 10 years ago on the 5th September and Pidda our much loved family friend, who we also lost this year after his own 10 year battle with brain tumours.
I’ve got roughly 10 weeks to get into shape for my first 10K (I’m currently running 5k’s, but more on that later) and TQUK is showing their support along the way as well – some will be running, some will be sponsoring, some will be sharing this story.
10K for 10 years seems fitting.
Brain Tumour Research
The running team and I are raising money for Brain Tumour Research as it's the horrible disease that kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. And yet historically, surprisingly and alarmingly, it only receives 1% funding of the national spend on cancer research.
Brain Tumour Research aims to find a cure for brain tumours, simple. They are the only national charity in the UK that is dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours and they lead the call for greater support and action into what scientists have called ‘the last battleground against cancer.’
Go Fund Me
My family and I have set up a Go Fund Me page in order to raise funds to support the great work that Brain Tumour Research do, we’re hoping to raise £1,000 towards the cause and in memory for my mum.
I’ve never really done anything like this before but I believe in what I’m running for, the cause, the person, friends and family and the TQUK team, all of which have been great in encouraging me and pushing me to run further and train harder.
If you would like to donate to Brain Tumour Research, please follow the link below to my page. Any donations large or small will be greatly received and will push me to run that little bit harder on race day. https://www.gofundme.com/10k-for-10-years-in-memory-of-julie
Final note
I started my training a few weeks ago, increasing lung capacity, getting the legs warmed up and learning some new routes around the TQUK office for after-work runs. Now it’s game time. Over the next few weeks I aim to, with the help of the team, keep you up to date with training, sponsorship targets and thanks and get prepared for what will be an incredible day on September 8th.
This is for you Mum.
Week 1 – Manchester Monsoon training
I was feeling optimistic about my first recorded run for this 10-week blog, but as the title suggests we got a bit wet. Joined by Paul, TQUK Head of Quality and Compliance, we both set off with a skip in our step on a cloudy but warm evening, then the big black dark cloud descended…
What started as a brisk pace run took a nasty weather turn at mile marker 1, heavy rain thumped the pavement and then came the thunder, no that’s not a cute running name that Paul was self-proclaiming, we’re talking a Manchester storm of biblical proportions, out of nowhere.
It felt downhill from here, leaping puddles and dodging hostile/nervous drivers we made it to mile 2. And as if the weather wasn’t bad enough, we may as well have been swimming, my on/off foot injury decided to flare up for the final mile. Our pace dropped off drastic and we decided to call it a day there and ran for home. A total of three cold and wet miles done on a tricky Thursday evening after work.
Three miles is better than no miles, but better weather and a well-rested foot is required next week, please!
Thomas Concannon (TJ), TQUK Junior Graphic Designer
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