Bristol 10k

Well, I did my 10k race and I've lived to tell the tale, my two team-mates and I have raised nearly £1000 which we certainly didn't expect! 


Lots of people take part in races like this and feel a real and valid sense of achievment at the end of them, whether it's because they've achieved a personal best time or because they've raised thousands for charity or just because they've done something different that they never thought they could/would do.


A year ago I would not have been able to take part in this race.  I would not have even been able to stand on the sidelines and cheer on other runners, so great was my anxiety and nervousness the thought of doing anything outside a very routined schedule terrified me. God has healed me so much in this area I am a different person, I am the person God created me to be, I am fearfully and  wonderfully made.


I am tearing up as I write this, thinking of all the plans I am making for my life, that I wouldn't have considered possible and all the things I have done over the past few months that I couldn't do.  Things that most people take for granted; like eating out, going to the cinema, parents evenings etc. everyday things that made me feel so ill I couldn't eat. Praise God, I now do those things without thinking about them, so running that race yesterday, was a personal achievment on many many levels.

Psalm 40:1-4

I put all my hope in the Lord.

    He leaned down to me;

    he listened to my cry for help.

² 

He lifted me out of the pit of death,

    out of the mud and filth,

    and set my feet on solid rock.

        He steadied my legs.

³ 

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise for our God.

Many people will learn of this and be amazed;

    they will trust the Lord.

⁴ 

Those who put their trust in the Lord,

    who pay no attention to the proud

    or to those who follow lies,

    are truly happy!

Lots of people helped me to get better, but I couldn't have done any of it without my two mates that trained and ran and raised money with me! www.justgiving.com/Phipps-Millard

Facing My Fears On Race Day!

My first run for charity is fast approaching - just over one week away to be exact! Considering I had never done any serious exercise until just a few months ago (unless you can call falling off a fitball or being the most un-co-ordinated person in a Zumba class serious exercise) I am really proud of how I am doing! Along, of course with my faithful friend who is just as un-exercised as I am!


There is one teensy weensy little problem that I am worried about on the day. If you know me and have ever been with me at a Carnival or in the Mall at Christmas time etc. you will know about my slightly irrational fear - of dressed up characters. eg Disney, bears, cows you name it, if it's in the human form but not a human it scares the living daylights out of me, to the point where my small children and their friends have had to accompany me with my eyes closed, crying, away from the offending creature!


My eldest daughter who utilizes her days off extremely well by sitting in front of Phil & Holly on This Morning, watched them do a week on phobia's and decided she had mastered the techniques to cure me, all I have to do is think of something that makes me laugh and then look at a character and while my brain is laughing I will create a new memory and not be frightened! Nothing makes me laugh more than this clip from Harry Hill and in fact when I went out to the theatre the other week with my hubby, we were surprised to see a Mickey Mouse standing outside! I immediately conjured up the memory of Harry getting in and out of the shower and started singing 'The Autumn Leaves'! I know I looked ridiculous but I wasn't half as scared as usual, so on race day if I am acting peculiar have a look around and if I am near anything dressed up funny that'll be why!


I have battered my knees, my hands, my pride and my digestive system and am prepared to face my phobia!  But the end is in sight, well for a few months at least, I stupidly said out loud that if we hit £500 sponsorship money I would run a half marathon with my sister's in September! Why do I open my mouth?


www.justgiving.com/Phipps-Millard