It’s clear from Miranda’s Healthy Goals post last week, fitness is key for many of us in 2015. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing our new guest blogger, Tamika for several years and have been astounded by her determination and progress as she trains for her very first London Marathon.

Though you might not be embarking on your own sprint, we’re hoping you’ll find Tam’s journey inspiring. Please feel free to drop your comments of support and encouragement. Over to Tam…

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Deciding to run the London Marathon this year was quite an impulsive thing for me to consider doing. I’m Tamika by the way, I work in PR for Avon Cosmetics, I’m 25 and running certainly doesn’t come naturally to me, or at least that’s what I thought.
2014 was one of ‘those years’ where nothing really happens. I didn’t do anything spectacular and I’m pretty sure I didn’t tick anything off my bucket list which left me feeling a little deflated as I approached the end of the year. The marathon has always been in the back of my mind but a little voice always said, ‘you can’t do that’. To be honest most people I speak to say the same thing about themselves…’oh I couldn’t do it’ but one day I thought why can’t I do it?!
The real motivation behind it all was the fact I wanted to so something memorable, challenging, rewarding and just really push myself beyond my comfort zone. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I mean, at the start of 2013 I didn’t really do any form of exercise and my dad pretty much laughed in my face when I told him. But it didn’t stop me, in fact it spurred me on.
I wanted to run for Refuge, a fantastic charity supporting women and children who have suffered from domestic violence. When I found out I had a place I felt so excited, and of course overcome with dread. What the hell was I thinking? I don’t even like running!
I have to say the whole getting fit thing is something that is really important to me though, hence why I joined the gym in 2013. I started off like everyone does, really ‘on it’ and into going three or four times a week but this lessened after a while. I’ve also tried the whole juice cleanse just to kick start my fitness. All of these things are all well and good but the marathon is something I know I have to train for, no excuses. In early October my friend’s boyfriend drew up a weekly training plan for me to stick to. He ensured I had the necessities, you know, like Rocky music on my phone. (Never underestimate the power of a good Rocky tune).
My first run was absolutely useless, I barely ran a mile. However for my third run I buddied up with a friend and he motivated me to run four miles. I felt exhausted. I went up and down hills and at one point pondered a) why am I doing this? and b) WHY AM I DOING THIS?!! I CAN’T BREATHE! But as the weeks passed and my fitness increased I started to see what my body was capable of. I went on the bike at the gym at least three times a week, starting at 10km (I’m now up to 35km). I ran twice a week upping my mileage by one mile a week which was pretty intense as I got further into my training. When I reached eight miles I felt on top of the world. I found I pretty much floated along and suddenly I really started to believe in myself. And then of course I woke up with shin splints. Great. So for those of you who don’t know what this is it’s basically the inability to walk let alone run, and the stairs, well, you simply cannot use them. (Warning, people will sympathetically stare as you hang on to the bannister).

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{Meet Tamika}

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  • Who: Tamika Short​
  • What: Currently in training for the 2015 London Marathon
  • Likes: Food, adventures and lazy days
  • Donate: JustGiving

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Sticking to a diet plan is the most challenging thing to do, which is why training for a marathon is pretty ideal for foodies because you can eat and HAVE to eat a decent amount of carbs (carbs, yes, yes, yes!) and chocolate, cake, sweets protein. Everyone’s a winner! I have upped my protein and carb intake which I will go through in more detail next month. Christmas was a hard time for me because there was a lot of food and alcohol floating around, plus I had shin splints… My fitness did suffer as a result but as the old saying goes, it’s not about falling down, it’s about learning to get back up again. Time to dust of the cobwebs and buy some sparkly new running trainers…I wonder if they come in pink? (This involves a rather funny story which I will tell you about next time. Very awkward situation).
Until next month!
T x