At the start of the year I hit a hefty 21st 1lb (134kg) on the scales and decided the time had come to try and do something about it. I overhauled my diet and began the Couch to 5k running programme, and pleasingly the results soon started to show.
Less than three months down the line, I've now lost ~3st (>19kg) and feel fitter, healthier and happier.
But I realise I still have some way to go, and so have decided to set myself a target to stay motivated. I couldn't think of a better way than raising money for the awesome charity, Muscular Dystrophy UK, and ticking off something that was always on my Oxford 'bucket list': the Town & Gown 10k.
To seasoned runners, 10k may seem like a breeze but for me – someone who struggled to run for a single minute without stopping back at the start of January – it's quite a big deal!
Training is coming along well. I'm hoping my time will be below the hour mark on the day itself and so I'll be ramping up the intensity of my training over the coming weeks.
Thank you for your support!
This fundraising page benefits the following good cause:
"Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for the 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK. We bring together people affected by more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions. Muscle-wasting conditions are very rare, affecting just over one in every 1,000 people. As a result, some health professionals may never come across anyone with a muscle-wasting condition and may not know much about them. But we do. Since 1959, we’ve been supporting families living with muscle-wasting conditions. We provide vital information, advice, resources and support for people with these conditions, their families and the professionals who work with them."
On Sunday 8 May 2022, Oxford Town and Gown is the oldest run in the series. It started in 1982 by local runners as a fun run to raise funds for muscular dystrophy and still to this day all profits from the race go to Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK).
Our unique route is the only closed-road City Centre 10k in Oxford with a glorious stretch along the River Cherwell and finish in the University Parks. In 2019, the run was awarded Best 10k in South East England by the Running Awards.
10 May
£10.00
"Great work Robbie love Nina, Jon, Lottie and Connor "
08 May
£20.00
"Well done Robbie xx Love uncle Chris and Auntie Nic !"
08 May
£10.00
"Congrats on finishing ! Next up marathon? ;) "
08 May
£20.00
"Huge congrats Robbie, what an achievement! Sorry how long is taken me to pop something in the bucket!"
08 May
£30.00
"Well done Robbie. Great achievement for a great cause! "
22 Apr
£25.00
"Good luck Robbie"
15 Apr
"Go for it! Cracking effort"
14 Apr
£10.00
"Well done Robbie! You’ll smash it! "
02 Apr
£10.00
"Good Luck Robbie - you’ll smash it! xx "
31 Mar
£25.00
"Well done Robbie! Really great to see your commitment!"
31 Mar
"Very best of luck Robbie! Well done on all your success to date preparing for the challenge. Tom, Vanessa & Donald x"
30 Mar
"Fantastic effort Robbie!"
29 Mar
£25.00
Absolutely amazing Robs; bloody love this. What a great achievement so far and I have no doubt you’re going to smash it. Totally... "Absolutely amazing Robs; bloody love this. What a great achievement so far and I have no doubt you’re going to smash it. Totally rooting for you. And you’ll have that sub 1h 10k in the bag. Good luck my dear friend "
29 Mar
"House lunchtime 10k practice soon? Smashing it KING"
29 Mar
£25.00
"Good luck Robbie we are super proud of you xx"
29 Mar
£10.00
"Amazing Robs! Super proud of you "
29 Mar
£20.00
"A wonderful cause! "
29 Mar
£15.00
"Fantastic cause Robbie - enjoy the day "
29 Mar
£10.00
"All the best Robs! Run, Robbie, Run!"
28 Mar
£10.00
"Smash it Robs! Xx"
28 Mar
£20.00
"Full of admiration, go Robbie ! "
28 Mar
£10.00
"Go Robbie go! X"
28 Mar
£20.00
"Great goal and for a great cause, looking forward to seeing your medal! Lots of love, the Kirkups xx"
28 Mar
"Good luck!!! Very impressed - you’ll smash it "
28 Mar
£10.00
"Go Robbie! x"
28 Mar
£25.00
"Good luck Robbie. We’ll be there to cheer you on! xx"
28 Mar
£10.00
"Go Robbie! Good luck and enjoy x"
28 Mar
"Good luck Robbie you're gonna smash it! "
28 Mar
£10.00
No message
28 Mar
£20.00
"Good luck Robbie! Very proud of you xxx"
28 Mar
£10.00
"You can do Robstar ⭐️"