FUW staff go the extra miles for challenge
FIRST-TIME
FUW staff managed to combine a marathon with a sprint to win a long-distance walking and running challenge for Wales.
The country was the first of five “national” teams to reach the 1,000-mile goal laid down by the #Run1000 trial.
The challenge was organised to inspire rural communities to improve their mental health.
In January staff from the FUW and FUW Insurance Services contributed 1,156 miles to the total for Wales, the first country to reach the 1,000-mile target.
Longest single effort came from Gwenno Davies, who alone added 178 miles to the FUW Meirionnydd total. Also contributing to the county effort was CEO Huw Jones (43.80 miles) and Haf Puw (15 miles).
Longest combined effort was by
Mark and Angela Williams from the FUW Carmarthen branch, who together managed 302 miles.
Another sterling effort came from FUW’s Caernarfon Heledd Teleri Williams, who with her dog Twm chalked up 92.3 miles. She was assisted by county CEO Gwynedd Watkin with 20.66 miles.
On Anglesey female staff again led the way, with Alaw Mair Jones contributing 76 miles and colleague Euros Jones 54.4 miles. “This has been a remarkable challenge and an amazing effort from everyone involved, “said FUW president Glyn Roberts.
En route FUW walkers also raised funds for mental health charity the DPJ Foundation. Between them, the five teams involved – Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland and the rest of the world – recorded 64,785 miles.
Bird Dog
Start in a box position with your knees and hands at hip – and shoulder – width apart. Inhale as you lift opposite arm to opposite leg, creating a long straight line from fingertip to toe. Exhale and engage your core as you bring your hand in to touch your knee.
Do all of the repetitions on the same side before switching. If you’re struggling with pelvic girdle pain or keeping your balance, keep your foot on the ground and slide it along the mat instead.
Side plank twist
Lay on your side with your forearm flat on the floor, bottom elbow lined up under the shoulder, both legs bent, with feet together, and then lift your hips off the floor. Raise your other arm and then bring it down and twist it under your body. If you notice any doming in your core, make sure you’re bending both knees, and exhaling to engage your core as you twist gently. Repeat on the other side. Always check with your own doctor and midwife if you have any concerns about your health and before making any big changes to your exercise routine.
■ Throw on a jacket, woolly hat and gloves and step out into the garden as there’s plenty of winter debris to be cleared up. Remove twigs and leaves from ponds, lawns and beds; wash down patios and clean them; and make sure drains aren’t blocked with leaf litter.
■ Inject a little colour into your pots and containers with some winter pansies and primulas.
■ In the greenhouse, take dahlia tubers out of storage and coax into growth in a light, warm place. You can also get overwintering fuchsias back into growth by repotting, watering and feeding.
■ Deadhead winter flowering heathers as the flowers start to go brown.
■ Prune autumn-fruiting raspberries right down to ground level.
DOUBLE
DAD OF TWINS
MORNING, I trust you slept well, what would you like for breakfast?’, I enquired, as Thomas and Emma took their seats at the table.
‘Toast, peanut butter, jam,’ Emma curtly replied, while Thomas stated, ‘toast, honey, no butter’.
I rushed off to prepare the order, only to hear Thomas hollering ‘milk’ from his seat, followed by Emma barking ‘Shreddies’.
While the toaster did its magic, I busied myself emptying the dishwasher and pondered exactly how I’d unwittingly signed up to a life in service.
Meal served, I awaited my next task, like an eager
waiter hoping for a tip.
Emma was happy to fill the lull and demanded a green bowl, in preference to the blue one I’d used to contain the Shreddies.
Breakfast service finished and it was time to brush their teeth, which they agreed to, on the provision I did the brushing. Presumably because they viewed it as beneath them.
I was starting to feel I’d found myself as a footman working at Downton Abbey, devoting my waking energy to scuttling around after his Lord and Lady.
Only I wasn’t even getting paid for this and I’m not sure my employers fully appreciated the top-class service.
Next up was potty-time. Thomas completed his business, stood up and simply bent over for me to wipe his bottom, without uttering a word.
‘I’m not sure even the staff at the Palace have to put up with this’, I thought, as I reached for some wipes.
For lunch, Victoria had prepared a cheese salad involving avocado, which Emma was eating with her fingers. I attempted to politely persuade her to use a fork.
She looked at her green avocado-ey hands in disgust, lent towards me and wiped them on my trousers, despite the perfectly good paper towel right next to her.