Aaron's first blog

As one of my running buddies (Flair) has already mentioned I didn't go running with her and Fiona on Monday because I didn't want to travel in Waterloo in the rain. Rubbish excuse but I was thinking about my health ^.^ I have to remain healthy until that special date in Septemeber.

I lost the run of myself

I think I almost like running.

On Monday evening Fiona and I (that's Flair) ran down to Tower Bridge (without Aaron, it was raining after all) and back along the river. We ran for ONE HOUR. 60 MINUTES. But the most amazing part is, we didn't stop. We just carried on running and talking about what we could eat when we finished running. And suddenly we had run for ONE HOUR. I think this is nothing short of a miracle. On the flip side it's less than half of the half marathon we are training for. Maybe when I'm running for longer than an hour (ugh) I'll actually start loving it. As a very wise man once said to me 'I lost the run of myself. LOL'.

Thank you to everyone who's sponsored us so far! It's on the up! http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/run4futures

Hitting the ground running

Hello Team FTC Blog Fans!

... So the twelve week count down to our half marathon officially started on Sunday! I am very excited about this; it means I'm starting my 12 week training programme this week! Now that's not to say I haven't already started my training. I usually run 2-3 times a week generally so now it's time to step things up and make sure my training is on target! Not sure why I'm so excited about this but I actually am!...maybe ask me again in a few weeks.

Unlike my fellow runner Flair, I have been running lots in the sunshine recently! - thanks to the change in weather. This in theory is a good thing, however it does mean that I end up doing a very effective impression of a tomato - exhibit A: (fresh from my Sunday 4 mile run!)

Flair and I have also recently started training together which has motivational for us both - if you every fancy seeing true athletes in action keep an eye out along the South Bank most Tuesday evenings!

On the sponsorship front, so far we have nearly reached £300 which is a great start and really keeps me going when I am out running - so thanks to all those that have already donated! A few weeks ago I had a Blue Peter moment and created this:

...which is proudly displayed outside our office - that's right it's our official sponsorship target monitor! I hope you will be suitably impressed.

As you see we have a way to go to reach our target but I am sure we will get there. Thanks for reading and for your support! www.charitygiving.co.uk/run4futures

Fiona x

Take me running soaking in the rain...

Hello, it's Flair here. I am Futures education officer and I am an ATHLETE. Well, as of about four weeks ago I am an athlete. But tonight I am just tired and teasy. I have just been running in the rain. As 'Run to the Beat' is in September I thought it may even be pleasant, at times, to spend a balmy summer evening running by the river. But tonight the reality of my training set in as I made my way around the bog that is Tooting Common on a Friday evening, in the rain.

A good thing about running in the rain is that it distracts me from the agony I am in. I love a distraction (as Daryl and Fiona will atest to). I managed my longest run yet (still probably less than a mile...), spurred on by my old skool running 'trax' mix. So the rain isn't so bad. I was probably slightly less blue than I normally am when I made it back to my flat. I attempted to take a photo of myself (sadder than running on a Friday night in the rain, taking a photo of myself after said event) but it didn't quite convey my dramatic 'soaked to the skin' appearance.

In my head, whilst I pretended I was still running as I crossed Streatham High Road listening to 2 Unlimited, I looked like this...

The reality was, in fact, more like this...

New Blog! Run to the Beat 2011 #TeamFTC

Hi and welcome to the TeamFTC official blog for Run to the Beat 2011 !

Here you can keep up to date with the progress our team are making in preparing for the race on 25 September and also see how we are doing in reaching our fundraising aim of £5,000!!

What are we raising money for?...

Futures Theatre Company is a charitable organisation based on London’s South Bank and currently does not receive any core funding. It relies on project funding and donations from generous individuals, companies and trusts to deliver its important work with some of the most vulnerable women and young people in the capital.

Funds raised through Run to the Beat will directly benefit vulnerable women and young people participating in Futures’ projects running in 2011/12. By sponsoring TeamFTC, you will be helping Futures Theatre Company to deliver important projects that really make a difference to people's lives.

This is Fiona, Flair, Aaron and Cheryl's first ever attempt at running a half marathon and every penny donated goes directly to these very important projects!
So how are we doing so far?.....

Well its been a good start, our team posed for some official publicity shots to promote their challenge and we've had a flurry of actvity at our online donation page kicking us off with £125.  Of course we've still got a long way to go before we reach our target but with your help we know we can ge there!

TeamFTC begin training (l-r Cheryl, Aaron, Fiona & Flair)

Make a Donation

Making a donation to support our team couldn't be simpler. Simply click here to pledge your support online. If you would prefer to donate in another way (post or in person) feel free to call the office on 0207 928 2832.

Keep up to date

Here, over the next few weeks, we will give updates on how our team are getting on with their training and how well they are doing in getting sponsorship together to reach their target - we promise a unique insight for people to see how we get on over the summer!

You can also follow us on Twitter (use the hashtag #TeamFTC). You can also join our Facebook page

Thanks for reading and I hope you will consider pledging your support to this very worth cause and our great team of runners!

Daryl Smith
Campaign Manager