Race For Life

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be able to run, but never found a reason to get started. Then two things happened. We got a dog, and my Mum got breast cancer. (Mum is fit and healthy now, and the dog needs loads of exercise), so what better activity than running?

A group of us decided train together with the goal of doing a Race for Life 5 km run. We started in February 2006, by walking fast, then introduced some jogging, until, little by little, we could run further, and by July we were ready for the race.

The National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, was our chosen venue, as there is a caravan and camping site adjacent and we could take the motorhome, set up base camp and make a weekend of it.

The morning of the Race was clear blue skies and red hot and as everyone gathered at our pitch, we were concerned about the heat. However, armed with water, sunscreen and sunglasses, we made our way to the gathering area. Wow! Thousands and thousands of women and their families all waiting and chattering excitedly and apprehensively. Many, like us, had trained hard to get fit enough. Others were seasoned athletes, but every woman was there to make a difference.

The atmosphere was amazing, and extremely emotional. Reading the notices on the back of everyone's tee shirt was both upsetting and uplifting, but the feeling that collectively we were doing our bit was tangible.

We inched our way down to the front, and were off in the first 50 - a little too fast. After we’d found our pace, we completed the circuit in 39 minutes – not the fastest time – the winner took just 17 minutes – but WE DID IT! and were so proud.

We raised nearly £700 between us for Cancer Research UK, and enjoyed it so much that we are entering again in 2007. This year, we WILL finish in 35 minutes (crowds permitting) to beat last year’s time.

Please click here for my sponsorship form - all donations are very welcome, no matter how small.

Meanwhile, if you see us out training (Tuesdays and Thursdays, along the Nottingham Canal), please give us a wave!

.