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May has arrived! We are inching closer to summer, the GDPR deadline is looming, but for Senior Designer Becca, it also brings a month of running.

Across the next 31 days, Becca and two others will be running 110 miles to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Research Centre.

We thought we would sit down with Becca to see how she is getting on so far, and why she chose to do such a great thing for charity.

 

Who is running alongside you this month?
My boyfriend and his sister.

 

Why this particular charity?
It is a cause close to all our hearts. My boyfriend and his sister lost their father three years ago. We are doing it in memory of him and to help support other men and their friends and family who also suffer a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer. We would like to help support research in this area so perhaps at least one less family loses a loved one.

 

How have you been prepping for your run?
I haven’t really prepped … I did a couple of half marathons last year and have done a few runs since but that is about it! I think I underestimated the mileage!

 

How many miles?!
110 miles in 31 days. Every year 11,000 men in the UK die because of Prostate Cancer and so we decided to run 110 miles. Because of our daily commitments, we decided to split the mileage between us. 36.6 each. 1.2 miles a day.

 

How do you keep motivated when you’re out running?
A good Spotify playlist! And finding downhill routes!! The reason for running is always at the forefront of my mind. When I feel like I want to stop or I struggle to put my trainers on in the morning, I remind myself who I am doing it for and all the kind donations we have received already!

 

How do you relax post run?
A good bath and bath bomb!

 

How are you planning to celebrate when you’ve finished?
I can’t wait to tell PCRC how much we have raised! I might give up running for a month too …

 

Do you have a favourite running playlist?
There are a couple of Spotify ones. ‘Every UK Number One: 2018’ and ‘Feel Good Friday’ … you should check them out!

 

Would you rather run a mile in heels or run 10 barefoot?
100% barefoot! I can’t walk 110 yards without my feet hurting in heels.

 

Where can people sponsor you?
You can sponsor us here. Please donate if you can. Every donation helps us towards the achievable target we have set.

All three of us seriously urge any male aged 40 or over to go and get checked! If that is your donation to the cause, then that is enough for us!

Here’s to the rest of May!

Keep your eyes for Becca’s progress updates here on the blog and over on our social media!

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

We all know by now that a healthy body equals a healthy mind. And with the growing wellness trend that’s flooding our social media feeds, gyms and supermarkets, it’s hard to escape the dawning reality that maybe those mid morning digestives might be better replaced with a banana...

We’ve put together some ideas for how you and your team can implement some healthy habits into your working day!

Nutrition

Office fruit bowls.

Dot fruit bowls around the office and top them up weekly, or twice weekly with a variety of fresh, colourful fruit. If it’s there, you’re more likely to grab a piece of fruit rather than head for the biscuit tin.

A communal blender

In your shared kitchen (as long as cleaned properly after usage) is a great way to encourage staff to have a healthy breakfast or snack. Some people can’t stomach a solid breakfast first thing, but skipping breakfast leads to a dip in concentration and a slow, sluggish metabolism.

A smoothie

Maker is a great option.

Swap things

Like crisps and chocolate for raw veggies. Not doing for ya?

How about adding a nice dip

Such as organic peanut butter, hummus or cottage cheese. It’ll fill you up much better and keep blood sugar levels steady until your next meal.

Sweet tooth

If you have a sweet tooth, dried fruit and dark chocolate are great substitutes for sweeties.

Water!

Make sure you constantly have a large glass or bottle of water at your desk that’s regularly topped up throughout the day. Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger, but keep hydrated will ensure you’re not just eating for the sake of it.

Exercise

Exercise Walk, run, cycle to work (if you can). This is the easiest option. And by strategically fitting exercise into the time you’d usually take the commute to work, it makes it much easier to keep up the habit. You’ll feel revitalised and refreshed afterwards, and it’s a great way to wind down at the end of your working day, and better for you than that large glass of Pinot Noir… If that’s not an option for you, try parking further away from the office than usual, or if you take the bus or train, get off at an earlier stop and walk.
Take 15, 20, 30 or even 60 minutes at lunch to go out and walk!

Explore

Explore your surroundings, walk around the shops. Just get up and out of your chair.

Sitting at a desk all day

Sitting at a desk all day is extremely detrimental towards your overall physical health.
Take the stairs. Avoid lifts and escalators at all costs. If you have working legs, use them – you’re lucky! Set a timer.

30 minutes

Every 30 minutes get up from your desk and walk about, do the tea round, go to the bathroom. Anything to stretch your legs and get your blood pumping.
Get up, and talk to other colleagues rather than calling them, particularly if they’re only in the next room!