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| Meet the Ambassadors 2024
Veena Tokachichu
Program: half marathon
"Over the last year I have been working on improving my health and fitness levels. The first year of my 2-year plan for a “healthier me” focused on eating better and have reached halfway point of my healthy weight goal. Second half of the plan is all about upping my fitness.
Running a half marathon is not something I ever imagined myself capable. When I read about Sofico Ghent Marathon it felt like the perfect challenge. Finishing a half marathon will be a MASSIVE achievement for me and the additional guidance received through the Ambassadors program I hope will be the extra boost to succeed."

| Meet the Ambassadors 2024
Follow Veena's journey
February 19, 2024
The ups and downs - part 2
Previous update I wrote about the challenges I had with a bad run of colds and flus. 2024 has brought more highs than lows. But, after a candid discussion with my trainer I had to accept that I had lost too much time. Laura advised that I would be placing myself at a higher risk of injury if I pushed to run the half marathon. We agreed that it would be more realistic and beneficial for me to target 10K.
Although it is very disappointing, I have come a very long way since Oct 2023. Very first training session I could only manage running intervals of 40secs. I am now able to jog 30 mins continuously and finish 5k runs. The ambassador’s program has had a lasting impact on my health and fitness. I have learnt how to train smart. I have experienced a runner’s high, and I know I will be chasing the next one and the next for a very long time.
Veena
December 26, 2023
The ups and downs
Hi All
December training has been bit of a mixed bag. I had to sit out a week of training again on doctors’ orders due to another bout of bad flu.
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Sydney also had some extreme weather with periods of very high temperatures alternating with storms and wet weather.
As I do most of my training outdoors, I need to work around the weather of the day, which means sometimes I have to change my running schedule for the week.
On a positive note, I have made good progress with my running. Week 1 of training, I was only able to run/jog for less than 1 min at a time. Now I am able to run 10-minute intervals, alternating with short periods of walking. I have joined a local exercise group. I attend a Yoga class twice a week and strength training on the weekends. My fitness level has significantly improved since my last update in November.
I still have a very long way to go to be able to run 21km on 24th March 2024. Despite the many speed bumps along the way, I am still very motivated and determined. I look forward to my next update and hope the new year has more ups than downs to report.
Happy new year to all!
Veena
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November 10, 2023