Ayrshire Post's Lisa is in the running!

Jul 18 2008

I’m in the mood for running!

AYRSHIRE Post reporter Lisa Boyle and advertising rep Megan Bryson have signed up to the South Ayrshire Autistic Society 10k in a bid to get fit and raise cash for the charity. Over the coming weeks Lisa will be documenting their training progress.

A FUNNY thing happened to me on Sunday morning.

I woke up and felt in the mood to go for a run.

Such a thing has never ever happened to me before.

And for the first time, I actually enjoyed it. The sun was shining and there was a lovely breeze as I ran along the seafront.

Our personal trainer, Toni McIntosh, has been working us hard in the last week, at first she had us running for four minutes then walking for two, six times.

By the end of the week we were running for six minutes and walking for two. I was surprised at how well I did, and although my legs were aching, I didn’t feel particularly out of breath. According to Toni that means I’ve got a good set of heart and lungs on me – I just didn’t know it before because I never used them.

The feeling after I’ve been out running is great. I never thought I’d be able to do as well as I have been.

It’s weird how physically exerting yourself actually gives you more energy and makes you feel more awake. I’ve also found I can concentrate better.

Toni has been great at giving us plenty of hints and tips, she says I should always have something like a banana and some water about an hour before I run.

And if I can’t have a basic conversation while I’m running then I’m going at too fast a pace.

Her fitness level continues to amaze me, after winning the Girvan half marathon on Sunday, Toni met me at 7am on Monday morning. She’s my new hero!

In other news, apparently there is a postal strike or something because the sponsorship money from all the kind people reading this is coming in very slowly!

I’ve worked out that if everybody who reads this donated only 10p, it would raise £9000. And that’s not including the people who read it online.

The South Ayrshire Autistic Society is a fantastic local charity who provide help and support for families with an autistic member.

More and more people are signing up to support the 10k.

It starts from the Old Racecourse on August 6. To join us or for more information contact Fiona Park at SAAS on 01292 445391 or email saas_ayr10k@live.co.uk.

And if you would like fitness advice or more information on the services Toni offers, contact her on 07758 251047.

Or to sponsor Megan and myself, send a cheque made payable to the South Ayrshire Autistic Society to Ayrshire Post, Nile Court, Ayr, KA7 1PX.