So I Ran* The Race for Life
13.7.16Post-run thoughts.
Last weekend, Babybutter and I ran the Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK and we blooming loved it. Although I rarely, if ever, write about fitness and the like on this blog, I wanted to pen a few thoughts post-race to read back on should I ever want to.
A few weeks after our beloved Granny passed away of bowel and breast cancers, we decided that we wanted to raise a hella load of money and take on the Race for Life. It’s a really fun and positive way to make a difference in fundraising for a truly awful disease and we always watch people run it year upon year and now it felt like an apt time to get involved.
Race Day was a rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve never taken part in a race before and had so many race day jitters! I felt more excited than anything in the morning, full of adrenaline as I scribbled in my paper plaque and filled up my water bottle. It was pretty insane to see the crowds at the start line, groups for Running, Jogging (us!) and Walking. The atmosphere is just incredible and the warm-up routine even better. I felt a huge lump in my throat every time I stopped to read someone’s ‘I Race For…’ sign and realised the sheer devastation that cancer causes and the grief left in its wake. We ended up running/jogging around 3k - possibly a hair under - and walking the rest which is pretty good going! And thank God for the marshals cheering us on at every 1k marker! At the time of typing this (Tuesday night), I’m still pretty damn achy.
Did we train? Yes and no. We both run short distances (usually 1k or 2k) but had never really taken training ‘seriously’ by changing our diets, etc. and in hindsight, I wish I had. I know from experience that I can push myself to run 7k and can often manage 2.5k in little effort, but? I simply didn’t get time to towards race day.
What I’ve learnt is that the human body can do impressive things, given time, nurture and opportunity. I’m so motivated to continue running regularly and hopefully run a complete 5k next year and raise more money! Plus, this Pokemon GO life, amirite?
If you have any pennies to spare, Louise and I would be ever so grateful for last minute donations to our JustGiving page just here. It’d mean the entire world.