Local News Page 6

Local News

Harriets 4x4x4 Challenge.

During early July I came across the 4x4x48 challenge. I have always been into fitness and train 5/6 times a week so decided then and there I was going to do it the following weekend. The 4x4x4 challenge involves running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours! I thought 4 miles was a nice easy distance and didn’t actually think it would be too hard...I wasn’t initially going to do it for a charity I was going to take part just for fun, but as my mum wanted to sponsor me, I set up a justgiving page for The Garden House Hospice. They cared for my Little Nanny so its always a charity I have liked to support..

Within 30 minutes of setting up the page I had raised £130 and before each run I checked the page, just to spur me on. It really really helped thinking of the money I was raising. I ended up raising £815 for the charity, through the kindness and generosity of friends, family, and some people I don’t even know! Here is a summary of my challenge, run by run! Run number 1, Thursday 5:45pm. My husband walked through the door after work, and I left straight away. I finished this run in 32 minutes. This was very straight forward, accomapnied by my Mum on her bike it was nice to chat to on the way round. Run number 2, Thursday 9:45pm. After feeding my 10 month old I set off again. This run was a bit slower, probably because my legs were still a bit achey. 33:23 mins Run number 3, Friday 1:45am. I set the alarm for 1:30am, It was a lot colder than I had expected and I just wanted this run over and done with. I ran with a head torch and a panic alarm. I shared my location with my Mum and my husband for safety and ran in 34:23mins. Run number 4: Friday 5:45am. Hardest run by far. My legs were sore and I felt exhausted 34:25 minutes. Run number 5: Friday 9:45am. I was bored of my standard route so decided to mix it up 33:48 minutes Run number 6: Friday 1:45pm. My feet really hurt and I was drained. I ran this one really slow to give me a bit of a breather. 35:44mins Run number 7: Friday 5:45pm. A friend who lives down the road cycled this one with me, again, was nice to have company.35:20mins Run number 8: Friday 9:45pm.. Everything hurt and I was mentally drained. Definitely was feeling it now 37:30mins Run number 9: Saturday 1:45am. I called my brother who lives in NZ and set off. We had a bit of a chat, but I was too breathless to hold a conversation so I ran the rest in silence. Again, my mum and husband were both tracking me. The minute I arrived at my front door my mum text me saying ‘ well done. ’ Run number 10: Saturday 5:45am. This one was fairly straightforward. Up and out. 36:23 mins Run number 11:Saturday 9:45am. Was hot, but great knowing I only had one more to go. 34:10 mins Run number 12 – final run, Saturday 1:45pm. I decided to do this one alone as I wanted to get a good time, madness, I know!

I would say it is definitely a challenge worth doing. Its more of a mind game. Coming home from a run, knowing in 3.5 hours, you’ll be back out. On numerous runs, within minutes of walking through the door I was back doing general mum things! I did feel selfish for doing this, having time away from the girls, but I also want them to know the importance of exercise, and how amazing it feels to achieve something you have set out to do. I was thrilled to have achieved this challenge and raise money for such a wonderful cause all at the same time Would I do it again? Possibly!

Harriet Evans ready for her 4x4x4 Challenge!