Hi, I’m Henry! I’m one of the Team Captains here at Sue Ryder and it’s my job to help our supporters taking on challenge events to have the best experience they possibly can.

I was absolutely not a runner before I started working in the team, but was convinced to take on the Royal Parks Half a couple of years back, and since then I’ve done a couple of half marathons and a few 10Ks – enough to keep me ticking over.

Six weeks to glory

This time though, it’s a bit different: zero to hero in six weeks is the goal. Eek.

I decided that I was going to run the Royal Parks Half again (take a look at my now ancient previous blog posts to see how I got on with that); however, this time I’ve managed to give myself even less time to train, and I'm starting from an even worse point as far as my fitness goes.

I like running, I really do, but I realised a little while ago that I’d been running for all the wrong reasons and, as a result, had stopped doing it to the point where yesterday’s 5.5K at lunch was my first outing in a couple of months.

"For me, having an event to train for is key"

I know a lot of people who are all addicted to running and couldn’t imagine not going two, three or more times each week – I find it VERY easy to not lace up the trainers. For me, having an event in the calendar that I have to train for is key – and the Royal Parks Half in October is a really nice one to look forward to.

Hopefully you’ll join me on my journey for the next six weeks or so, during which I’ll be talking about how I get on with all my training and what else I’m up to.

I’m not aiming for a PB, just to get round – and, more importantly, to enjoy the training process and the race itself.

Join Henry in a personal challenge

The Royal Parks Half is just one of many fantastic events that we’ve got places in each year.

I'm hoping that these words – or those that I’m yet to write?! – will inspire you to take on your own challenge, and consider doing so for Sue Ryder.