Could you take on 10K for MacIntyre? We had a chat with Senior Learning Support Worker Zoe Darvell, who is doing just that for the Bedford Twilight 10K later this month.
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Zoe Darvell and I work for Milton Keynes Lifelong Learning as a Senior Learning Support Worker. I have worked for MacIntyre for 4 years, but have worked in the care industry for over 15 years. I live in Milton Keynes and have a 6-year-old daughter, plus 2 stepdaughters who are 8 and 9-years-old.
I am also currently studying full time at university for a degree in Positive Behaviour Support....so, not a quiet life as such!
Why have you decided to take on the Bedford Twilight 10K?
I started running 2 and a half years ago using the 'Couch to 5K' programme, as a way to get fit and to be able to run around after my daughters. After completing the course I then went on to run a 10K for another charity, in which I sadly broke my foot. This put me out of running for quite a long time.
I have dabbled here and there with running again and needed something to push me to run more, which is where the Bedford Twilight 10K has come in! I find running so beneficial, not just for my physical health, but for my mental wellbeing too. I am not the fastest or the best, but as they say, it doesn't matter if you run a 6-minute mile or a 20-minute mile; a mile is still a mile.
I like to challenge myself and with it being the summer break from university, I have my evenings free again. So why not fill them with training and raising money for MacIntyre.
How have you been training/preparing?
Training and preparing has been slow! I have a treadmill at home as getting outside can be a challenge with looking after my family, so I have been using that on my days off. I also started cycling to work to build up some fitness (let's just say that didn't go as planned....I should stick to running!).
My 6-year-old is very supportive and will come out on runs with me riding her bike and shouting encouraging words. I am following the 'Couch to 10k' programme which follows on from the 'Couch to 5K' programme and I am finding it very useful.
How will the money raised from your run benefit people at MacIntyre?
The money I raise will be going directly to the people we support at the lifelong learning centre. We are making some changes to where we are based and I am hoping to raise enough money to buy some equipment to enhance the service that we deliver and increase the quality of life for the people we support.
You can support Zoe
Go to her fundraising page.
