Every January, conversations and thoughts turn to New Year’s resolutions. For years, I’ve considered these but never actually adopted any. This year is different though. On 1 January, I was delighted to launch the President’s Challenge. I’m aiming to participate in this year’s VHI Women’s Mini-Marathon.

I’ve never been a runner but I’ve always wanted to cross a race like this off my bucket list. But holding myself to account and remaining committed to a training programme when you hate running is difficult.

And so the President’s Challenge was born – aiming to unite members, promote positive mental and physical health, build a renewed sense of community within Macra and continue to foster personal development, one of the original cornerstones of our organisation.

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The aim for members participating is to challenge themselves to train and participate alongside me in the Mini-Marathon. As part of our training regime, we’ve hit the ground running (literally!) by registering for the Run 62K in January challenge, raising funds for Breast Cancer Ireland.

With over 100 members now registered to participate in the challenge, our participants are running laps of pitches and roads around the country. There’s such enthusiasm shared within the group, it’s a welcome support which has encouraged us all to get out and move (almost) every day.

Running can be quite an isolating experience, especially when you’re struggling for motivation, breathing is laboured and legs feel like jelly. To combat that, I’ve joined some members for social runs and the aim is to visit members, clubs, counties and regions around the country to train together, encourage each other and create a social and supportive environment for all.

So whether you’re a seasoned sprinter or starting from scratch and you’d like to join us, please reach out. Everyone is welcome, there’s no pressure in terms of times or ability.

If running really isn’t for you, there’s other ways to support us – for the month of January, we’d appreciate any donations to our fundraising effort with Breast Cancer Ireland.

I’d like to thank those who have already donated. And I would especially like to thank and congratulate all those members who’ve joined me so far as part of this President’s Challenge.

I’m already so proud of my Macra team and I’m excited (and only slightly nervous) to run across the Mini-Marathon finish line with you all!