It never ceases to amaze me how many people take part in these events! Myself and my daughters (aged 6 years old and 21 weeks old) took part in the Race for Life yesterday (16th May) at Saltwell Park in Gateshead and the turnout was incredible. Women from all walks of life coming together for one common purpose...to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
We joined in with the pre-race warm-up and then joined the masses to get the race underway. We were walking it this year, well at least my eldest and I were walking...the youngest was being pushed around the course in her pram!
We set off at 11:05 and managed to push the pram past a few people to make a bit of space to stride out. The weather was good; warm and dry and it didn't take long to really warm up especially when it came to pushing the pram up the hills!
We got just past the 3km mark and it started to rain. It was light at first but then got slightly heavier so we had to stop and put the rain cover on the pram. We didn't bother putting our coats on, the rain wasn't that bad.
We really started to stride out and before we knew it we were approaching the finishing line. I'm not kidding, we were yards from the finish line when the heavens opened. We couldn't really stop because we had people behind us and my eldest wanted to run across the finish line rather than walk. In the few seconds it took to cross the line we got absolutely drenched! We pulled into the side and put our coats on but it was a little too late; our clothes were soaked through!
We completed the course in 1 hour and 12 minutes. We were handed our medals, gift bags and water and very quickly ran for cover to get out of the rain.
Despite the good old British weather, we had a great time. The atmosphere as always was phenomenal and everyone was in high spirits. I always get so emotional when I read the messages that people have put on the backs of their t-shirts, remembering those they've lost to cancer and those who have survived.
I lost my Grandad to bowel cancer in 1998 and have taken part in the Race for Life twice before to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. This year, I dedicated the Race to my parents' neighbours' daughter, Karen. Karen died 3 weeks ago of breast cancer and left behind her long-term partner and their 3 year old son. She was only in her early 30s.
Between my daughter and I we've raised £150 so far for Cancer Research UK. There is still time to make a donation and your support would be greatly appreciated. Please follow this link to my sponsor page.
Thank you.
Monday 17 May 2010
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Cancer Research UK - Race for Life 2010
I first took part in the Race for Life back in 2007 at Saltwell Park in Gateshead. I'd never taken part in a race before (well, not since being part of the cross country team at school!) but my friend, Claire, asked me to do it so I thought, why not. I didn't know what to ex
pect. When we turned up I couldn't believe the hundreds, no, the thousands of people that were there. The atmosphere was electric. All these women and children coming together to remember loved ones they'd lost to cancer, to think of people who are living with cancer and to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
I'd done very little training as I'm not a huge fan of running. We joined in with some warm up exercises then took our place in the crowds of women getting ready to start the 5K race. Then we were off. I remember passing my husband and daughter who were cheering us all on.
For the majority of the run, we were on the flat. But there's one point within Saltwell Park that's quite steep. Considering I hadn't done much (and by that I mean any) training, I was surprised at how well I was coping with it all. To be honest, I think it was the atmosphere all around me that swept me along. I just took it at a steady pace and kept running.
I remember getting near to the finishing line and could see the time ahead and it was coming up to 45 minutes. I wanted to finish in less than that so I dropped a gear and went for it. I completed the 5K race in 44 minutes and 32 seconds. And it felt fantastic!
I was hooked after that and took part again in 2008, this time in Exhibition Park in Newcastle. I managed to beat my previous time and finished the race in 35 minutes and 21 seconds.
I didn't take part last year, although I did have a pretty good excuse...I was pregnant and was advised by my Midwife not to do it. My daughter was disappointed as she wanted take part so I promised her that we'd do it together this year.
And here we are! We've registered for the Race for Life event at Saltwell Park on the 16th May and instead of running it, I will be walking it with my daughter aged 6 and our newest addition to the family, who will be 21 weeks old when we take part. I can't wait! Hubby will be there to cheer us on and to buy the ice creams afterwards!
Why am I doing this? Well, it's quite simple really. I've lost family and friends to cancer and I want to do my bit so to speak to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. And this is where you come in. We'd really appreciate your support and your donations. I've set up a fundraising page and all donations will go straight to Cancer Research UK. You can either donate via my website or via our fundraising page. We are aiming to raise £500 so please help in any way you can.
Thank you, Angela
pect. When we turned up I couldn't believe the hundreds, no, the thousands of people that were there. The atmosphere was electric. All these women and children coming together to remember loved ones they'd lost to cancer, to think of people who are living with cancer and to raise money for Cancer Research UK.I'd done very little training as I'm not a huge fan of running. We joined in with some warm up exercises then took our place in the crowds of women getting ready to start the 5K race. Then we were off. I remember passing my husband and daughter who were cheering us all on.
For the majority of the run, we were on the flat. But there's one point within Saltwell Park that's quite steep. Considering I hadn't done much (and by that I mean any) training, I was surprised at how well I was coping with it all. To be honest, I think it was the atmosphere all around me that swept me along. I just took it at a steady pace and kept running.
I remember getting near to the finishing line and could see the time ahead and it was coming up to 45 minutes. I wanted to finish in less than that so I dropped a gear and went for it. I completed the 5K race in 44 minutes and 32 seconds. And it felt fantastic!
I was hooked after that and took part again in 2008, this time in Exhibition Park in Newcastle. I managed to beat my previous time and finished the race in 35 minutes and 21 seconds.
I didn't take part last year, although I did have a pretty good excuse...I was pregnant and was advised by my Midwife not to do it. My daughter was disappointed as she wanted take part so I promised her that we'd do it together this year.
And here we are! We've registered for the Race for Life event at Saltwell Park on the 16th May and instead of running it, I will be walking it with my daughter aged 6 and our newest addition to the family, who will be 21 weeks old when we take part. I can't wait! Hubby will be there to cheer us on and to buy the ice creams afterwards!
Why am I doing this? Well, it's quite simple really. I've lost family and friends to cancer and I want to do my bit so to speak to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. And this is where you come in. We'd really appreciate your support and your donations. I've set up a fundraising page and all donations will go straight to Cancer Research UK. You can either donate via my website or via our fundraising page. We are aiming to raise £500 so please help in any way you can.
Thank you, Angela
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