Lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan Louise Fielder, who will be targeting a new personal best in the Asda Foundation York 10k this year as part of the ‘Run with the Rhinos’ team, will take inspiration from the amazing feeling of finishing her first marathon in 2015.
Louise Fielder, who was in the crowd cheering husband Mark over the finish line at the Yorkshire Marathon in 2014, signed up for 2015 event the day after to embark on one of her biggest challenges to date.
Working towards the event, Louise began 2015 with limited running experience and after some initial low tempo training with her husband, signed up for three further events at different distances to build up to the 26.2 miles in October.
As part of the duo’s commitment to the cause, Leeds Rhinos fans Louise and Mark began fundraising for ‘Run with the Rhinos’ to support the work of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and partner charity the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, raising an eventual fundraising amount of £1200 for charity.
“I decided to use my challenge to also raise money for a great cause. In the 12 months I completed the Leeds 10k, Eccup 10 Miles, Leeds half Marathon and finished off with the York Marathon in October,” said Louise.
With the three shorter distances covered by July with the completion of the Leeds 10k, Louise then took on the PlusNet Yorkshire Marathon, joining over 7,000 runners on 11th October, completing the route in just over 7 hours for an unrivalled feeling crossing the finish line alongside her husband:
“My stand out memory was crossing the finish line with Mark at my side for the York Marathon it was such an amazing feeling!
“Part of the appeal for me last year being part of the Run with the Rhinos was that feeling of being part of a team with everyone giving encouragement, especially being a very inexperienced runner.”
With 2015 lodged firmly in the memory bank, Louise has signed up for the Asda Foundation York 10K this year with a new personal best 10k time in her sights and is back in training for the event:
“I have had a little break but know I am back in training, this year I am concentrating on running faster and I'm looking forward to doing the York 10k this year on the 7th August."
Speaking about the appeal of joining the Run with the Rhinos team Louise said:
“I would definitely recommend doing a charity run for a team and a cause that is important to you this year, having some events to train for kept me motivated to run regularly and stay fit and the feeling of completing the events in front of a cheering crowd is a very special moment.”
If you are interested in being part of the Run with the Rhinos team for any of our seven events in 2016 or want to take on the PlusNet Yorkshire Marathon in 2016 contact Jessica.bowman@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
Find out more about the being part of the Run with the Rhinos team at http://www.leedsrhinosfoundation.org/events/run-with-the-rhinos.php