The Other Upside

Shallow female I may be, but there are many benefits to all this crazy training, one being the weight loss. Or rather the changing shape of my body. My belt is now on it's final hole (6th as opposed to it's normal resting place of 4th) and some of my clothes which were snug 6 months ago, are now decidedly roomy. I'm not so skinny that there's any chance of me fading away, but my metabolism is such that the 2nd dinner helping I have doesn't stay around (almost worth the training alone!).

I'm also enjoying being fitter. My running doesn't feel any faster and the paths don't feel any easier, but I reach the summits much quicker than I thought I would and I'm still loving being able to look around Wellington, pointing to 5 hill tops and marvelling that I visited them all in one day.

There are also the unseen benefits - lower cholesterol levels (it was a healthy 4.3 anyway), lower blood pressure (120/80 I think at last count), not to mention the mental benefits of having something to train for, rather than just focusing on job hunting.

I've also learnt that I look forward to a drink, possibly too much. Prior to planting myself on the wagon (with occasional exits for specific events), I was restraining myself daily until 5pm (a time I deemed acceptable) before imbibing and was getting through probably 1/2 bottle per night. I don't physically miss it, but I don't half enjoy drinking it! Some would say I have a problem, others would say I'm very restrained. I'm definitely looking forward to a drink at the finish line though!

However the other, and most important upside, is the funds that the Child Cancer Foundation will receive thanks to those of you who have made a donation. For those who still want to, click here.

My family's a fairly healthy group, but cancer has taken a few members who were very important to us. I still miss them, and my life is a quieter, less rich place because of it. Their names are in permanent marker on the soles of my shoes and they'll be running across the hills with me.