Hanna Murphy: A whole half a Marathon!

The only running I enjoyed at school in Zimbabwe, was the race to the front of the supper queue, and the dash to the boys who visited on Sunday, so as not to waste any of the allotted time spent with the smelly, scrawny things.

In my 20s, I danced a lot, and ran never.

A year ago, with much arm twisting, from a very persuasive (and lovely) friend Teejay, I went along to try run club out. Hyde Park Harriers. I LOVED it. I loved running, and I loved the club. 'Ain't no barriers for Hyde Park Harriers'! I promptly joined my first 10km race, and realised I wasn't too shabby. (It helped having my (not so smelly/scrawny) boy at the end, shouting like I'd won the Olympic 1000m :) I am a bit addicted, and so is he now..somewhere along the way, our pillow talk became about running...ro, ro, romantic!

We got married in May. As a wedding present, Teejay bought me entry to my first half marathon, and the training and expert advice, (and shoes!) to help make it happen.

At our wedding, Gareth and I wrote our own ceremony. Much of it was about how, as we went off into the world as a little team, we wanted to be a force for good, and always consider what little difference we can make, for people, other sentient beings, and the earth.

We also met the dynamic founder of the DOnation a few years ago at an epic 'Heroe's Club' weekend in Wales. I wonder if she remembers...? This is amazing Hermione...*wave*!

SO, this is a small (and interesting) way to encourage little acts of goodness from you.....In return, I will run the furthest I've ever run, by a long stretch...further than I ever thought these stumpy little legs would take me - at the Oxford half marathon (13.1miles/ 21.1km) on 13 October 2013.

Yes, I'm asking you to sponsor me... But no, I'm not asking you to give me your change: I'm asking you to create change.

The DoNation is all about creating a more sustainable world, about protecting the environment on which our livelihoods depend. And the environment needs our action more than it needs our cash.

HOW IT WORKS:
Browse the DoActions and find one (or more) that suits you, then make your pledge(s). Some are really easy; others take a bit more effort.

You only pledge to do your chosen action for two months and all the information you need is provided here on The DoNation, making it really easy to complete. You'll receive a few helpful reminders and then at the end of the two months you'll be asked to confirm how you got on.

So please, get doing!

Thank you!!

[Here are some pictures of me hugging a (knitted) tree, and enjoying the great, green outdoors!]