{Macmillan Cancer Support}

As many of you will know, I ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon a few weeks ago and I was raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support (the total raised at the moment is in the region of £4600!!).

Anyway, I was asked if I would participate in some PR for Macmillan, so on they day I had my photograph taken and I had to answer some questions after the event too. I think they are going to use my story for some advertising for the 2013 campaign!

I thought I would share the photographs and 'interview' here with you all, perhaps it will inspire some of you too?

1.      How did you feel before the race/at the start line?

I was a little nervous at the start of the race. This was my first ever race, and I didn't know what to expect. There were a lot of people! The music from the radio station was blaring throughout the crowds and there was such a buzz of anticipation in the air! As we started crossed the starting line my nerves calmed down, I plugged my earphones in and I started the long jog to the finish.

2.      How did it feel when you crossed the finish line?

I felt brilliant! I had paced myself throughout the run (particularly due to the hot weather that day!), and by the end I still had enough energy for a little sprint through the finish line with a massive smile on my face. I was so pleased that I had made it to the end!

3.      Why did you decide to run for Macmillan?

My mum died of ovarian cancer in June 2001. I wanted to raise funds for a cancer charity, and so selected Macmillan.

4.      What kept you going when it got tough?

I knew that my mum would have been so proud of me, so thoughts of her kept me going. 

5.      Were you impressed with the Macmillan cheer-points?

The cheer-points definitely kept me going. It was such a buzz to hear everyone shouting my name and words of encouragement. 

6.      What was the support like that you got in the lead up to the race?

I had plenty of support in the run up to the race. The Macmillan newsletters were brilliant and I knew that I could call upon someone from the team for help if I had needed it.

7.      Was it proud moment?

I am so proud of myself for finishing the Edinburgh Half Marathon! At the end of the race I made my way to the Macmillan tent and the cheerleaders shouted out my name as I walked up the red carpet for my leg massage! I was beaming. Such a great feeling!! I was also really pleased with my time - I had wanted to finish in under 2.5 hours, and my time was 2 hours 12 minutes. Result!

8.      Have you been involved with other Macmillan fundraising events before?

No

9.      Do you think you’ll do it again?

Yes, definitely. All going well I'm hoping to run the full marathon next year!

10.  What would you say to encourage someone thinking of running for Macmillan next year?

Do it! With the right training it's certainly achievable and with Macmillan you will be running for a fantastic cause. 

 

{Result... Half Marathon - Done!}

I took part in the Edinburgh Half Marathon on Sunday, as many of you will already know from either reading my blog or following me on Twitter.

I was rather nervous - it was my first ever race!

I was totally disorganised, which I have to say is not like me at all. Literally a few days before the race I managed to finalise my travel arrangements! I think it had been adding to the stress, because once that was sorted I did feel a bit more confident about it all.

My running number hadn't arrived in the post though, so I had the added hassle of having to collect it in person in Edinburgh the day before.

So on Saturday afternoon I dropped the children with my in-laws and headed off on the train for Edinburgh. My lovely neighbours were kind enough to let me borrow their daughter's student flat for the night, which just happened to be empty at the time. The location was ideal - just a 5 min walk from the start of the race.

The night before I laid out all my running gear, just like you would before the first day back at school!

In the morning I was awake super early (5am!!)... this time it wasn't because of the children, it was my nerves! I was paranoid that I was going to sleep in! I also needed to be up early so that I could have my breakfast and then have plenty of time for the food to settle before the race started at 8am. So at 6am I was sat having porridge and a banana, in my running gear and all set to go! 

Here I am at the race start... (yes, I'm wearing make-up but I was having my photograph taken for Macmillan Cancer Support so I wanted to look good!)

Thankfully on Sunday the weather was a little cooler, in the morning at least. I was a bit chilly at 7.30am waiting for the race to start! There was such an atmosphere, and even writing about it now it brings a smile to my face. The radio DJ was shouting out motivating messages, the music was blaring and everyone was lined up ready to go... then the race started! I was running alone as my sister had injured her ankle, but I just plugged in my music and off I went. 

I ran a consistent 10 minute mile. I was using a Nike+ GPS app on my iPhone and it told me my pace every 0.5 miles, so I knew if I was going too fast or too slow. I didn't want to overdo it in the heat (by 9am it was getting hot!) and so I just kept a steady pace and kept on running!

At each Macmillan cheer point I passed my name was shouted and it encouraged me to keep going. What a buzz!!

At around 12 miles I saw a young-ish guy collapse and someone was putting him in the recovery position. I'm guessing he collapsed because of the heat and that he hadn't been taking enough fluids. I personally don't know how the marathon runners managed, as their race started at 10am when it was even hotter! I drank a lot of Lucozade Sport on Saturday (thanks @ScumMum for the constant reminders to drink!) and during the race on Sunday and I actually managed ok. I have to say, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. I completed the race in 2 hours and 12 minutes - I'm pretty chuffed with that.

I picked up the pace at the end and I ran through the finish line with a massive smile on my face.

...and here I am at the end with my medal! (Hair & make-up still in place!!)

At the moment, the total amount we've raised for Macmillan Cancer Support is £4,323. Thank you to everyone for your support and donations - I couldn't have done it without you.

{Half Marathon}

Tomorrow I will be running (jogging!) in my first ever race... the Edinburgh Half Marathon. My sister, her work colleague & I have been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and to date we have raised over £4000. I am delighted!! I know my mum would be so proud of us.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me... the race starts at 8am tomorrow morning. Eek!

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