Masters and a marathon!

Well I have definitely been busy recently! I started my Masters degree a few weeks ago, studying Applied Positive Psychology at the University of East London. I do 3 days a month down in London, and I’m back there this weekend. I really love the course so far and find the content really interesting. Positive Psychology is a relatively new branch of Psychology that has been around for 10 years or so, and is centred on fulfilment, well-being and optimum functioning, and which positive emotions, states and institutions allow individuals and communities to thrive. I will be making some blog posts to do with Positive Psychology specifically as I progress through the course, and I am looking at also delivering a short course on Positive Psychology and well-being myself in the New Year.

We had another record attendance at Newcastle parkrun on Saturday, with a total of 137 runners turning out on what was actually a really miserable morning, but great conditions for running. We had lots of first timers and many personal bests, with the field ranging from those that finished in under 17 minutes, to those that finished in over 40 minutes, and everything in between. parkrun really is for everybody and if you’re interested in coming along all you need to do is visit www.parkrun.org.uk/newcastle and register, then print out your barcode, and turn up and run! We had a coffee van attending on Saturday which proved to be popular with both runners and volunteers and so we will be continuing this tradition for the next few weeks at least! See www.ecocoffeecart.co.uk for more information. You can find parkrun on facebook if you search ‘Newcastle parkrun’ and you can also follow us on twitter @newcparkrun.

Newcastle College are running a programme of free fitness for ladies aged 16-19 every Wednesday 1-2pm. The 8 week programme which is funded by Sport Unlimited will include boot camp circuits sessions ran by Newcastle College Personal Trainers (http://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/sports/facilities.aspx ), street dance ran by Sunderland Dance (www.sunderlanddancecic.com ), and a barre class ran by The Barre (www.the-barre.com ). You don’t have to be a student to attend, so if you or anybody you know would be interested in getting involved then call (0191)2004640 or email thezone@ncl-coll.ac.uk Its not often you get to take part in classes with some of the finest instructors around completely for free!

I took on two long distance sports events this summer to raise money for The Princes Trust charity. The Princes Trust helps disadvantaged young people into education and work, and the money I raised goes towards funding the work of the charity in the North East. I met a guy on Sunday who had been helped into work by The Princes Trust, and he credited the charity with effectively saving his life. He has a job at Marks and Spencer now and has career opportunities ahead of him. He actually shook my hand and thanked me for raising money for the charity, which really moved me. It’s not often that you get to meet somebody that the charity you support has directly impacted upon, and it makes the hard work and effort even more worthwhile to know that the money being raised is helping people locally.

I said after I had finished the Great North Bike Ride and Great North Run this year that I wouldn’t be competing in any major events next year and was intending on exercising for fun instead. That lasted around 3 weeks and I have since signed up for The Edinburgh Marathon(!) which is in May 2011. A marathon is 26.2 miles, and a totally different ball game from a half marathon. I have been sent a 4 month training plan from Dave Daniels who is a volunteer and runner at Newcastle parkrun, and is a seasoned marathon runner himself. My friend Fliss is also running the marathon and so having a training partner will help a lot. Ill keep you updated on my training progress as the time draws near! Wish me luck!  

Thanks,

Niyc xx