Team Her.ie is taking part in this year’s Flora Women’s Mini Marathon and we want YOU to join us.

We've created The Pink Brigade, where members of Team Her.ie and our beloved readers will take part in the mini-marathon in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. With so many charities in dire need of support, we'll be letting you know over the coming weeks why the irish Cancer Society is our charity of choice, and who you're helping when you run, walk or jog all over cancer!

This week we're chatting to Alexandra Ryan, showbiz journalist with the Irish Mail on Sunday - who will join is on June 23rd and run for the Irish Cancer Society. 

To find out more about joining The Pink Brigade yourself, click here - we'd love to have you! 

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Alexandra Ryan, Journalist

 

What made you decide to run the mini-marathon this year?  

I have always wanted to be able to run the mini-marathon, but honestly I never thought I would be fit enough to do it. But this year my new year's resolution was to join a gym and start working out, so having the mini-marathon coming up in June is really great motivation. 

Plus so many women take part, and everyone has told me that the experience is really enjoyable. I think it will be a great accomplishment to say I finished it, hopefully in a good time.

 

Why did you pick the Irish Cancer Society as your charity of choice?

The Irish Cancer Society has always been a special charity close to my heart. It is the main charity I donate to.

One of my mum's best friend's unfortunately passed away from cancer around 12 years ago, so I've always wanted to help the charity in any way. Raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society doesn't only help support those affected, but also goes towards new facilities, researcg and treatments, so I think it's really important to give what we can to them.

We all know some one who has been affected by cancer, it's important they get all the help they need.

 

What was your fitness level like before deciding to run? 

Honestly it was quite bad. I have never been into going for walks, let alone going for a run, so it has been a bit of a battle for me. But I've been training for the last month now, and I'm happy to say I'm walking about 5k a day now (in the gym) with a bit of running thrown in too.

As the days and evenings get brighter I will start running in my local area to help myself prepare. But a couple of months ago I would never have thought I could enjoy going for a run.

 

How is your training programme shaping up for the coming months? 

It's going really well so far. And surprisingly I'm actually really enjoying it. Once you get in to it, running can be a really nice release from stress. I look forward to working out now. And because I know it's for such a great cause, I'm pushing myself even harder. Anything I can do to raise awareness for the Irish Cancer Society is worth it.

At the moment I'm focusing on hitting the treadmill; walking, hill climbing and running. Because I want to be fit all around I am also spending a lot of time doing weights, leg presses, chest presses, spinning and rowing. Hopefully by the end of my training I will be fit enough to run the marathon with some ease, and I plan to continue my training even after that. I'd like walking and running to continue to be a part of my routine.

 

Is it difficult to fit the training into your busy lifestyle?

I do find it difficult but at the same time once you make a decision to make the time for training you will. The first week or two was hard when I really just wanted to lie in, but I made myself get up at 7am and get an hour in the gym before my working day started.

I have crazy hours in my job, because I go to a lot of launches, red carpet events and social gatherings, so I can be busy from first thing in the morning to last thing at night, but I make sure to fit in at least 30 minutes of a work out every day. I'm not going to lie, some days things get on top of me and I don't make it to the gym, but I make up for it the next day.

 

Alexandra fits her training in around her busy schedule of events 

 

What are you hoping to achieve on the day – have you set yourself a time goal?

I haven't set myself a time goal yet, and I'm not sure if I will. My main objective is to just complete the marathon and do it in a relatively good time. I'm not too focused on exact times or anything like that.

I think it's important to just focus on finishing the marathon and raising awareness for the Irish Cancer Society, at the end of the day that's all it is really about. But of course, I would like to think I will have improved my fitness levels quite a bit, come June.

 

Finally, what would you say to any Irish women thinking of taking part this year?

I would say definitely go for it, what have you got to lose? As well as helping yourself get fit, and lose some weight, you will also be helping a really worthy cause, no matter what charity you pick. It's also a great idea for a few women to get together and team up for the mini marathon. It's something you can share together, and instead of going for coffee with your pals you could go for a walk or a run. No matter what your goal is, everyone can achieve something from the marathon - be it emotional or physical.

Find out more about this year's Flora Women's Mini Marathon here. 

To sponsor Alexandra Ryan, click here.