We recently ran a competition in which a lucky TopCashback member would win an endorsement from Under Armour. To be in with a chance of winning, entrants had to comment below the blog post with their next sporting challenge and explain why, out of hundreds of athletes, they deserve to be endorsed by this fantastic brand. (You can review the competition blog post here.) With over 30 applicants, Eva was one of the lucky winners and can now conquer her sporting event with Under Armour behind her all of the way! Here’s her story...
See Part 4 of Eva's story here
See Part 3 of Eva's story here
See Part 2 of Eva's story here
Eva's Story Part 1 - In training for 70 mile multi-day run
'When I wrote the entry for the Topcashback / Under Armour competition I didn’t think about the impact that winning would make for me and the community in which I coach athletics, it’s a small club in a small North Wales town but with a massive heart and lots of support. I love being part of a town that pulls together in times of need and shares all that is good about the people.
That’s why I wanted to do a big challenge that would benefit the athletes at my club but also the local High School so that each generation of kids can also use the facilities. The first part of my challenge is to complete the Chester Marathon in October in preparation for the next stage which is a multi-day run across the North Wales part of the Welsh Coastal Path, approximately 70 miles.
The money raised will go towards re-surfacing the long jump runway, adding extra sand in the pit, an outdoor high jump and part of the money will also go to a charity of the school’s choice (TBC).
I’m not a natural athlete, I’m a 40 year old Mum of 2, work full-time and love running.
Right best foot forward! Ev x'
Eva’s Story Part 2 - Accidents, Aeroplanes and A hot run
It's been a random few weeks which started with me being involved in a car accident (not my fault ??) which left me without a car and a banging headache for a few days.
So since then it's been a bit of catch up, lots of new kids coming to club after a local athletics competition so that makes me more determined to raise the money for equipment for them.
This week I'm in Kefalonia on my family holiday, lots of cross training being in the pool everyday but have managed to get out running, it was hot but beautiful as the pics show.
Eva's Story Part 3 - 6 Weeks to go until the 70mile challenge!
At the weekend I received an email from the Chester Marathon team (everyone mind you not just a special one for me!) stating that it is now 6 weeks until the marathon, the time has gone quickly and still plenty of training to fit in. Does anyone ever feel ready for an event? Still 6 weeks is plenty of time to fit in some additional miles and that’s what it’s all about at the moment just working through the miles, it doesn’t matter that they are slow or fast but just being consistent and putting one foot in front of the other.
It does help if you’ve got a great support team, today my kids came along for my run, they ride their bikes, supply me with a drink and then when home straight to get me a cool glass of water and put their bikes in the shed. That’s organisation for you!
So over the next 6 weeks I will be continuing to put in the miles and will also be gathering momentum in terms of setting the 70 mile North Wales Coastal path schedule, putting up an online fundraising page and getting in touch with the local media to promote the fundraising.
Lots to do, it does help that my kit provided by Under Armour is superb and is technically great to wear on all my runs, having the right gear to make you look and feel good.
Ev x
>Eva's Story Part 4 - 1 Week to go until 70mile challenge!
It’s just over a week until the Marathon, I’m nervous but actually quite excited as everything is starting to come together. There’s still lots of hard work to do after the Marathon as my training will become more in depth to get stronger and hopefully a little bit quicker. It’s cross country season and my juniors are inspiring by coming with me on extra training sessions, it’s only right that I show my loyalty to the senior club and take part in the series to help the team score points. Training has been going really well, I'm feeling strong and healthy and it just shows that if you put in the effort you will be rewarded. Sometimes the drive wanes but you quickly remember why you are putting yourself through the hours of work, I am fortunate to be able to do this and a few hours of tiredness and aching muscles is small in comparison to the reward at the end which will benefit so many others.
My fundraising blog and page are now live so after the Marathon I will be contacting the local press to promote the next part of the challenge across the Welsh Coastal Path you can see the stretch of the path that I'm going to run from Bangor to just near Queensferry, due to work this will take place during the February half term which gives me time to get in the hills and trails to work hard and also get the message out to raise lots of money. I have to say that I think North Wales is absolutely beautiful so it will be a pleasure to run between the sea and the hills. My blog is
https://runningnorthwales.blogspot.co.uk/ and my fundraising page is https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/eva-brewer
I heard news that the lad who had the Spinal Stroke, which the High School will be giving some of the money to, is taking some steps and making progress. It's still a long journey for him and any money raised will support him and his family more.
My job this week is to decide which bits of the lovely Under Armour kit to wear on Marathon day, I think that’s going to be the hardest part of my challenge!
How to keep track of your Fitness Challenge
If you’re taking on a challenge like Eva’s you’re no-doubt going to want to track your progress as you get closer and closer to your fitness goals.
Just as technology has helped to shape how we carry out our day-to-day activities, such as watching TV, shopping, travelling and more, advances in sport science mean that we have a better understanding of how to get fit, stay fit and be happier as a result.
And with the help of IBM’s Watson technology and HTC, Under Armour have taken those advancements and applied them to Healthbox – Under Armour’s innovative suite of technological wizardry.
The Healthbox includes everything you could possibly need to track your fitness, including scales, fitness band, heart rate monitor and 1-year FREE membership to top apps; MyFitnessPal Premium and MapMyFitness MVP.
At the heart of Healthbox is Under Armour Record – which allows you to keep an eye on all of your activities, 24-hours a day – all in a simple app.
By syncing with your UA Band, which records your heartrate and all your activities – whether you’re sleeping, resting, walking or running – UA Record gives you a greater understanding of all your activities and allows you to compare them with friends and fellow athletes.
And if you have weight goals or want even greater insight into your daily exercise, the UA Scales and UA Heart Rate band are integral additions to your exercise regime – giving you more ways to understand how to achieve your fitness aims.
Follow George's challenge to become a pro tennis player
