Running For A Cure

This Saturday I'm running to raise money for people with Motor Neurone Disease (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Please check out my video below for more info:

Shona Noyola: Running For A Cure 2014 (US) from Paul Noyola on Vimeo.

If you would like to support me please click this link if you're in the UK or this link if you're in the USA

Thank you xx

A Change Of Plan (Twice)

When I got the all clear from my surgeon that I could run again, I immediately decided that I wanted to run the Beaumont half marathon on 8th March. I really wanted to do it not just because it would be a good sign that I was all better, but also because I LOVE that race! I did the half marathon in 2011 and full marathon there in 2012. I would've run it last year but I wasn't in the USA at the time.

I launched into a half marathon training plan, being careful to increase mileage carefully to avoid injury. However I'm a bit all or nothing and if I was going to race, I wanted to do the best I could. Unfortunately it seemed to be too much too soon as I kept getting run down and suffering from cold after cold. I comfortably ran 10.5 miles about 3 weeks ago but decided after that run that I wasn't going to race in March and that I should go back to just running two or three times a week without the pressure of performance and keeping up to a plan.

Last week I received some very sad news. My Godmother who has been fighting Motor Neurone Disease (Lou Gehrig's Disease) passed away. She was the reason that I was inspired to run 2011 in 2011, my first half marathon and full marathon for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and York Against MND. With news or her passing my heart told me I should run again in her memory and try to raise money for the charities that are trying to find a cure for this terrible disease.

So watch this space.. I'm signing up and will appreciate any support you can give. I don't plan on going back into the full training plan, I'm just focussing on staying healthy and running shorter runs. I'm looking forward to running a race without the usual pressures that I put on myself to perform :)

York and District Against Motor Neurone Disease

I've suddenly realised that the marathon is fast approaching so I thought I would talk about the charity that I'm running for. This year I'm raising money for York and District Against Motor Neurone Disease as they are providing my Godmother Sue with both the technology and support that she needs.

York and District against Motor Neurone Disease is an independent charity (#1000356) which was founded in 1989. They offer practical and emotional support for victims and their families and also provide information about MND. Operating in York and the surrounding area, YAMND can loan equipment such as light writers and electric reclining chairs, and make financial contributions towards some of the more expensive equipment that sufferers of this disease need to make day to day tasks possible. They employ a part time nurse to help the group provide an outstanding level of care for patients in the area. Doreen Foster, the nurse employed by YAMND, was awarded the Health Service Hero 2011 in the York Press Community Pride Awards for her outstanding work over the last 16 years, and for returning to work after her own serious health issues. All other members of the group volunteer their services.

I have set my target to £1000 though understand this could be difficult as many people waited until very late last year to sponsor my last challenge and seem hesitant to donate again. However I will definitely do my best for them.
If you would like to support my race and donate to YAMND please go to my justgiving page . Every little (or lot) helps! Thank you :)

London Calling

Last weekend Paul and I had the opportunity to go to London and stay with a friend for the weekend. We were both excited to go as neither of us have spent time in the city or seen any of the sights that 30 million people a year go to see! We were also fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Sarah Ezekiel who has inspired and supported me throughout my fundraising for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Sarah has become a great friend to both of us online over the last couple of years and it was wonderful to meet her and her family.

After spending some time with Sarah we headed back into the city. We didn't set off with the intention of sightseeing that evening but once we saw the London Eye and Big Ben lit up we couldn't help but walk around to see as much as we could!

Sunday was a beautiful day with clear skies and sunshine so we spent the day doing a lot of walking, sightseeing, picture-taking and train-riding!

We also (somehow) made time to visit the Natural History Museum and Science Museum in the afternoon (both of which are like a maze of rooms that could easily swallow you up for a few days... or even weeks!).

This was a great weekend to finish Paul's time in England with and a great experience for both of us. When we got back to York we had just a couple of days to spend with my family and pack our things before flying to Houston.  I've loved having Paul in England with me and I'm happy he could spend so much time in York getting to know my family and friends.

So as his travels come to an end for now, mine are just beginning again.... For once though, neither of us had to travel alone and we could enjoy the journey together :)