A summer of challenges

With less than two weeks to go until the London 10 mile, I decided to take a look ahead to the next few months and share my challenges for the remainder of the summer - it’s shaping up to be a pretty busy one!

Please do let me know if you're going to be at any of the below as well, I'd love to say hello 🙂

4th June - London 10 mile*

This 10mile event in Richmond Park will be a challenge - 10miles is a long way! - but it promises to be a fun day out. There is a 'Picnic in the Park' afterwards, with live music, food stalls, drinks and loads of entertainment for the kids.

18th June - BHF London to Brighton 54mile bike ride

I cycled this last year as my first ever bike event, and I remember being so nervous beforehand! This year James is joining me, and we're intending to ride together as a warm-up for RideLondon later in the year. I feel a lot more confident with my cycling this time around but will probably still end up walking up Ditchling Beacon!

16th July - Chiltern 100 Cycling Festival (32 mile route)

This is one of Human Race's events (where my new job is), and as I'm not working at it I thought I'd take part! It promises to be a hilly, challenging route around the Chilterns - hence why I've gone for the shortest distance option - but like the London 10mile, it has a fantastic 'festival' element to the day. This time there are vintage bikes, cream teas and gin, I can't wait!

23rd July - Race for Life 5k*

I took part in the Race for Life as my very first running event back in 2012, and managed to rope in a few colleagues the year after too! This year I'm supporting the Cancer Research Race for Life #racelace campaign, and am running the St Alban's 5k with James' daughter, E.

30th July - RideLondon-Surrey 100 mile bike ride

The big one! After being diverted last year due to accidents, this year I'm determined to finish the full 100 mile distance (if it's within my power). James is joining me, and I'm excited to add another awesome cycling medal to my collection. The atmosphere and weather last year was amazing, so I'm crossing my fingers it's a repeat performance for 2017.

23rd Sep - Tough Mudder Half (5mile)*

Following RideLondon I have a couple of months to recover and get training for my next massive challenge, my very first obstacle course race! I'm taking on the Tough Mudder South London Half course as part of Team For Goodness Shakes with three colleagues. They've all done mud/obstacle runs before, so I need to step up the upper body and strength training so as not to be left behind! I know that these events are all about teamwork and supporting each other round the course though, so I hope that I do end up enjoying it, even if I'm feeling rather apprehensive right now!

8th Oct - Women’s Running 10k*

The final event on my calendar (at the moment) is the Women's Running 10k in Finsbury Park - I'm really excited to be an ambassador for the Race Series, you may have seen my picture in the last issue of Women's Running magazine which was pretty cool. I've run and volunteered at Women's Running events in the past, and I love their friendly, inclusive atmosphere - from women trying to beat their PBs, to those running their very first 10k, everyone is supported, cheered and encouraged over the line with the same enthusiasm, no matter their time.

Well, that's it, phew! I may add a couple of others to this - I'm eyeing up the Manchester Half Marathon (it's one my work events) and another cycling sportive - but this is already a pretty packed calendar! I do love the experience and atmosphere of taking part in events though, there's something about being surrounded by thousands of other like-minded people doing what they love that just gives me a huge buzz...

What are you up to this summer?

Beki x

*These events I have been given a free race entry in exchange for posting about my experience.