Slow and Steady Wins YOUR Race | 5K Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

Hey Sweeties,

I recently took part in a fun 5K organised by Giff Gaff Money that took place at Shoreditch Park in south east London. The 5K consisted of completing four laps of the park, which also had a bouncy castle type obstacle to get through located shortly after the start/finish line. Following the run, eight people at random were selected to take part in another challenge (of riding a rodeo pig), of which the three with the best time would win £1000, £500 and £250 for their chosen charity respectively.

Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

The day started with an energy boosting breakfast at Pret -coffee, a banana, and coconut porridge.

Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

I jogged the first lap in full (which I felt great for achieving), before slowing to a fast walk mixed with short jogging intervals, once I had bounced my way clear of the obstacle for the second time. It is worth highlighting that while I love bouncy castles (let me remind you here) I really detest inflatable obstacles as I just find myself stumbling through them clumsily which knocks my confidence with the challenge at hand. Of course, it is all light-hearted fun but you know.

If I were a fitness blogger or a member of a running club, then for sure my finishing time would be critical to my personal success within the event. However, for me I knew that if I could complete the 5K Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge within 40 ish minutes, then I would have done really well. When I have completed 5K runs previously, either in the gym or within an actual event (like the Water Wipeout event I did back in 2014), my time is roughly 35 minutes. While I am active in my daily life, I am not currently running fit (which is definitely a thing by the way) so I thought the 40-minute goal I set myself for the challenge was realistic.

Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

My final finish time was 39.19 minutes (see the results here) and I was delighted to be honest! For sure I was the second-to-last to cross the finish but did I care? Not at all, I was actually proud of myself. This is what brings me to my message about how slow and steady wins YOUR race – you need to know what you’re capable of and regardless to what others are doing, or how fast they are running, it’s your race that matters. Moreover, if you have not already figured it out, I do not literally mean the running of 5K’s, this attitude can apply to life.

I turn 30-years old next week (I know, ancient!) and shortly I will be sharing a reflective post about my twenties but one thing you do learn as you get older, is how the only person that really matters is you. Learn how to be your own best friend, learn to love your body, and know your own mind.

Giff Gaff Money Fit Challenge

A big thank you to Giff Gaff Money for inviting me to take part in the challenge, and for the permission to use their photography (credit: Luke Todd at ‘The Race Organiser’) from the event (except the one directly above of me with my medal).

Until next time x

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