Running for Retrak: Week 1

New Year’s resolutions, eh? My vague pledge to ‘get fit’ in time for the annual Brussels 20km in May was in danger of remaining a nice idea until an email from Retrak dropped into my inbox last month.

They’re a UK-based charity that works with street children in Africa to give them an alternative to life on the street, helping them emerge from the fringes of society and take their place back in the community, and maybe in their families too. There are so many reasons why children end up on the streets: poverty, family strife, abuse, war, famine. Retrak’s aim is to take these kids out of this existence, begging or scavenging for food, and help them realise their potential. This video is worth a look for a bit more on what they do. 

Every year, Retrak enters a team of runners in the Brussels 20km, and this year, I’ll be joining them. I’m not a natural runner. Last year, I shambled my way round a 9km and a 10km, at a pace that would have embarrassed even my dear departed gran. The thought of running twice that distance terrifies me, frankly. But now, I have a goal, I have a deadline, and I have a very good reason to keep going when all I really want to do is curl up in a ball and wait for the aching to stop. Each week, I’ll be blogging about my efforts and about the good work Retrak is doing, as well as talking to other runners about their motivations. I’ll also be donating my fee for this column. All words of advice and encouragement are welcome!

Learn more about Retrak, donate, or join their 20km team 

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