My Olympic Dream....

A couple of months ago a competition was held at my work for one of two chances to be part of “Olympic Torch Relay”.  We had to write an inspiring piece related to sport/London/Olympics, this was my entry…..

I believe that I should be given the opportunity to carry the flame for running this year's London Marathon.  That may not sound a good enough reason alone but those that know me will understand that I am built for comfort and cuddles and not endurance running and the fact that I could not walk up the stairs with being out of breath before I started training, you may begin to see the challenge I was undertaking. 

Six months’ worth of training, getting up at 5am most mornings to run in the wind, rain and snow all seemed worth it on that HOT Sunday in April when the City of London came together to support 40,000 of us plodding round its streets.  Running through London the streets lined with steel drum bands, Gospel choirs singing and most importantly the hundreds of thousands of people who are shouting your name (it was on my vest) willing you on to the finish was an amazing experience.  I found that even though the heat was sapping my energy and I was feeling pain that I had never put my body through before, I had a smile on my face every minute and I can only describe it as enjoyable, as this was my Olympics and I was battling for my Gold Medal.   If the way I felt that Sunday is 1% of how an elite athlete feels when they compete in the Olympics, especially with the backing of the people of London behind them, I have a new appreciation and understanding why they dedicate themselves to their sports and battle for their Gold Medals.

As I was lucky enough to be selected via the ballot I could run for the charity of my choice, I choose The Demelza Hospice, a locally based Children's charity that provides care for Children with Life-Limiting illnesses, with the support of my family and of course my friends and colleagues at Eurostar I was able to raise nearly £2,200 including Gift Aid.  At Ashford Contact Centre the Social Club supported my efforts, my Team at the time (Group Sales) held a packed lunch service for the rest of ACC and general sponsorship of all those around the business helped me raise this amount.  I was then invited to visit the hospice in action, this was a moving experience and confirmed to me that I was running for the right charity.

I would love to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity not only to represent Eurostar but to help raise awareness to an amazing charity.

No, I didn’t win!!