Monday, June 25, 2007

My Race for Life

You can still show your support and donate to my successful Race for Life in support of Cancer Research UK here.

This will stay at the top for a bit longer, read down for newer posts.

Here I gave an overall perception of the Race for Life in Swindon, this post is all about my personal Race.
We arrived in sunshine, albeit a little cold, and I had high hopes that the weather would hold off, but black clouds started massing on the horizon as we waited for the whole shooting match to kick off.

There were women everywhere; fat women and thin women, old women and young women, women in shorts and women in trousers. With all the women there were men; husbands, fathers, brothers and sons.
By the time the aerobic warm-up started there had to have been 4,000+ people in the paddock. The rain held off until the nice athletic man started taking us through the aerobic warm-up (that was fun and energetic!) and the rain started......and it bucketed down. Before long the event had become the biggest wet t'shirt competition in the world with 2,000 women prancing around in soaking clothes.....and laughing! Yep - laughing.
Some were trying to do their routine under umbrellas and others, like me, threw caution to the winds and let themselves get soaked and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I threw a glance over my shoulder and all the men were huddled under the Sun Smart pavilion (I love the irony of that!) sheltering from the downpour.

Then the race began in earnest. Women gathered around the start, runners in front, walkers behind, saying farewell to loved ones - reminiscent of families being parted by war or illness....and this is when the whole emotion of the day hit me. I had no husband to say goodbye to - or to wish me luck. When given the option, MB elected not to accompany me, so CK came instead. There was no less support - in fact, probably more. CK hugged me tight and wished me luck and I left with his final words ringing in my ears 'Remember - DON'T RUN!'......

As I quick-marched around the course, I had little chance to admire the grounds of Lydiard Park. I couldn't look up for too long because in front of me were a forest of back plaques, with names of those loved and lost enscribed on them. So much heartbreak. I also noticed they started to come loose and fall off after the first kilometre. About half way around I felt for my back plaque and found it had also come off in the rain and exercise.
The route was spotted with pink back plaques like mine, with names and dates on. They weren't litter, so much as memories proudly carpeting our route. Even though they have probably been cleared by now - the names of family and friends are indelibly engraved into the grounds of Lydiard Park by the feet of 2,000 women desperate to help rid the world of the evil that is cancer and keen to ensure their loved ones didn't die in vain.

As I crossed the line, the clock showed 54 minutes and 26 seconds. I wanted to complete in less than an hour, and I did it. I just marched across the line, walked straight into CK's arms and burst into tears.

Prego asked if the tears were emotion or exhaustion - they were definitely emotion....after a cup of coffee and a five minute sit down I was still wired and ready to go again........ :-)

cq

26 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

How truly touching and wonderful and exhilerating, ALL at the same time! You must be very proud of yourself dear CQ...you should be. What you did was awesome! Truly.

And I know this day will stay with you forever. Having done some other things like this, one never forgets. Congratulations, my dear, for a job well done! And, how wonderful that CK was there with you to cheer you on and hug you when you crossed that finish line!

Lazy Daisy said...

Ok, I'm an emotional mound of goo now! Good for you girlfriend. I'm so proud of you.

ribbiticus said...

whoa! what a feat! kudos to you, dear cq! nothing feels more wonderful than sharing triumphant times with those you love. ;)

Jean-Luc Picard said...

What a shame there was little publicity on the media.

MaR said...

You are a wonderful, although a bit crazy, queen...

Minerva said...

That was really moving.. I feel so touched that you did it CQ and thanks to your efforts and the efforts of all those women around you, another poke in the eye for cancer...

Thank you, thank you so very much,

Minerva

Bobkat said...

Well done you! [hugs] You should be proud of yourself :)

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I'd have a hood. You go girl! I and michele think so.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Hope your okay my dear....I've been off the radar myself....But I finally returned to the blogesphere and you can read all about it---if you have the time---over on my blog....I truly do hope you are okay, dear CQ!

rashbre said...

Great recounting of the event. Well done and worthy.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing the memories hon, and thanks for making me cry.

What a wonderful wonderful feat! You did so so well and you should be proud of yourself!

Way To Go!

Ladybug Crossing said...

Sounds like a wonderful albeit emotional time. Congrats on your finish time!!
xo
LBC

Prego said...

tears of exhaustion or emotion?

very nice... and commendable for you to participate.

i don't know if i'd give myself a time limit such as 'under an hour'. i'd just be content not to come in 'last'.

p

here via michele

Anonymous said...

Hello, Michele sent me.

Pat said...

Just reading about it makes me feel emotional. All walks and runs make me cry. I don't know why. I hope you feel proud of yourself. BTW thanks for the email and Michele says hi!

Anonymous said...

What I wonderful post. I can picture it perfectly. There is nothing like getting "soaked" in a downpour from time to time. Congrats on beating your time of 1 hour!!!!!

Michael K. Althouse said...

What a wonderful experience it must have been. And that CK has always some good advice, lucky for you to have him on your team! Here's to hoping your efforts and those of untold thousands of others have an impact.

Michele sent me,

Mike

YellowRose said...

You have me all choked up!! I'm so proud of you!! You make me very proud to call you friend!

Unknown said...

The description of the placards littering the road, the names of so many victims of cancer brought tears to my eyes Bless you for running this race!

Michele sent me today.

shoeaddict said...

Congrats! I can't wait to read more of your blog. Michele sent me. Come over and see me sometime

Claire said...

Hello from Michele!

Pat said...

S'mee again - from Michele. Did you see The Glastonbury today at 6pm? It was Shirley Bassey and she was sensational. It's been a miserable wet day. Hope it was better for you.

sage said...

It sounds like that rain was drops of blessings--you do a wonderful job describing the emotions, congratulations on beating your goal. Here from Michele's

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

That is something great you have done. Very few women could do this. I take my hat off to you.

David Edward said...

minerva posted again