Marion Freijsen A blog about Sports, Fitness & Health

Exercising for a good cause….

In this case, YOU are not the good cause I am referring to in the title, even though that may be equally true of course. I rather meant that from time to time it is a superb motivator to support a charity with your exercising.

I used to pick one event every year for which I would go out and get sponsorship from friends, colleagues and family. Once a year not because I wouldn’t love to do it more often, but simply because you don’t want people to get fed up with you asking for funds. Over time I was travelling so much that I stopped doing these events and almost forgot what a great way it is to get yourself into action until this week a friend of mine, Roddy Boulton, sent me an email asking me to support him on a gruelling 20 mile run in the Peak District, United Kingdom. It’s called the 9 Edges, but I think it could equally be called 9 Lives, as the terrain is pretty harsh and it will require lots of dedication to just make it through to the end for anyone! On top of that, for someone who hates running as passionately as Roddy does, you just know the goal he is supporting must be a great one (in this case “Help for Heroes” – Troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, definitely worth it).

It also shows what a great “stick” it is to do something for charity. It both gives you a timeframe by which you have to be in peak fitness, and a goal that ensures you do get out of bed even on cold dark mornings to train. There are plenty of great events to choose from, so you can pick any one that suits your level and your sport -  and besides it being a truly involved way of supporting a charity, you get the double whammy of feeling good physically (I hope at least!) AND mentally.

For anyone of you wanting to give Roddy and his fellow runners an extra boost – please go to http://www.justgiving.com/Boulton-Cowley-Fenning/ and support them with a small donation of your own!

Roddy – good luck, will be rooting for you …. and I will be looking for an charitable race again myself. Thank you for reminding me.