I’ve never been the sporty type. I never got picked for teams at primary or high school. I never got to do any of the ‘specialist’ events on sports day and I have always had a wall of ‘I tried my best’ stickers and trophies. It never bothered me. My parents used to call me ‘the gazelle’, due to my uncanny ability to be all legs and no speed. I love to cycle and I walk absolutely everywhere, but I’m definitely not a person at their peak of physical perfection. I decided when I came back to Hull for my second year that I was going to become the healthiest I’ve ever been. But somehow I’m involved in so many things at university, I do not actually physically have the time to exercise.
This is why I decided to do the ‘Cash for kids Santa run’ which was in Hull in December. It was a 3km run from St Stephens shopping centre and ended up in the park by the KC stadium. All proceeds went to ‘Cash for Kids’ a charity that supports local disabled and disadvantaged children in the local community. I study Children’s Inter-professional Studies, so it was a cause close to my heart. I’m asthmatic and don’t really like to exceed past a fast strut when it comes to speed, so I knew 3km was going to be a challenge for me. But my course involves a lot work of placement throughout the community so I knew I wanted and could make a difference.
My fitness fanatic friend Mike and I set off at 9.30 adorned in our Santa costumes from the back of St Stephens. The first 100 yards were fantastic! I felt I was born to run, it was my secret ability! Then the stitch kicked in, along with the shortness of breath and I started to perspire like never before. Mike was trotting along smiling away, and once I’d got over the initial shock of exercise and pain, I started to enjoy myself!
There is real sense of community spirit when you run with one hundred Santas. We all knew we were going to help a lot of children and young people, and at Christmas time. It created such an atmosphere and season of goodwill. I was half dead when I got to the finish line, but felt such a sense of achievement and couldn’t believe my body had allowed me to run that far without collapsing in a heap along the way.
The following three days were agony. I had never ached so much in my life! But I persevered, and have carried on jogging. I’m feeling much fitter than I ever have been, and have plans to participate in some of the dance society lessons now my body is teetering towards Shakira’s (ha, I wish!). But overall, doing something that has benefited the locality and my own health has been a life improving experience. Not just for me, but for the children and young people around Hull who need the care and support of their local community.
Liz Barr
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