Last Wednesday 18th May I squeezed into my tutu and attended a very rainy Battersea Park where we awaited the arrival of 4000 women to take part in a 5k run/walk for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life. They arrived slowly but soon the field was filled with a sea of bright colours, costumes and smiling faces. There was also a crepe stall which I avoided. Jane Michell, my diet guru from JanePlan was there and I didn't want to her to feel I was a lost cause…besides…it could have been a trap!
Toby Anstis from Heart FM was presenting onstage, there were performances from local dancers, a very moving speech by the inspirational Leanne Grose who had lost a leg due to a tumour and chose to use her story to give hope to others. Paula Radcliffe made a speech and I performed a little comedy set including my 'top tips' for the race, the benefits of a 'snuggy' and reassured Paula that I wouldn't overtake her around the course. There were a few celebrities around (Including some orange Essex ladies!) but I was very pleased to see a lot of youngsters with their numbers pinned to their chest getting ready for the challenge.
Despite the rain we set off on our way with gusto. I walked with Lynne Parker and Karen Rosie and we had a lovely time chatting around the course and admiring the costumes and messages of our fellow fundraisers. All of the people had in some way been affected by cancer. There were ladies still receiving treatment who braved the weather and one woman in a wheelchair proudly wearing her medal at the finishing line.
Nell McAndrew finished first in an astonishing 18 minutes! It took us slightly longer….ahem. If anyone is thinking of signing up and hasn't yet then please do. It's such a good feeling to cross that line and a tremendous sense of achievement. I met some great ladies and had a laugh with them. I even wore my medal on the tube home (just in case I couldn't get a seat! ha ha) and I wore Sulina's picture on my back and was very proud.
Next race for me is Sunday 5th June in Glasgow. Wish me luck!….fingers crossed I won't have to call Jane and say 'Help…I ate all the biscuits at once!'
