This year, I decided to run the Race For Life. I decided that I wanted to do something different. I went online and did my research and found the Pretty Muddy Race For Life. I signed myself up there and then! I wanted to do this to raise money for Cancer.
I never explained but on 1st August 2015, my nanny died of Carcinoma, a very rare type of cancer. She did her best to fight the cancer but it took the better of her. She was at home, with my grandad Bobby (as we call him - long story), my mum and my cousin Christy who was a nurse and helping a few nights. Within a couple of hours, my whole family were there, aunties, uncles, cousins to say goodbye. It was a horrible day. About two weeks later, we had the funeral - they were a few issues which is why the funeral took longer than we liked but the funeral definitely celebrated her life and who she was. Everyone was there, patients she had cared for, friends, family, neighbours, hairdresser. She was an amazing, popular lady within the village and everyone loved her.
Family was her life. She would do anything for her family and loved spending time with us all.
Unfortunately, I will never get my nanny back and that I find difficult because she was such a huge part of my life and I know it will never be the same. Everytime we eat oat cookies, mars bar cakes, Christmas pudding, amongst other things, I will always think of my amazing Nanny.
I want us to beat Cancer and that's why I decided to run the Race For Life.
I hate running. I'm not sure why I decided to RUN but I did. When it came to running, I was out of breath, running to the end of the street! How was I going to do this? This was going to be a challenge. I decided the best way was to build it up and lose weight at the same time - this is something I wanted to do anyway. I use music to help me. I decided to set my running schedule in stone, I chose to do my runs on days when my hair needs washing. This may stupid but it meant that I would do it because I know I would get sweaty and this was the easiest way.
I started running on my own. I was struggling to start with. I would drive to a local park and run/walk around - roughly 2K, using the health app on my iPhone - this worked well. While running, I would carry music, quite fast music to keep my pace going. If the music was slow, I would slow down. I decided not to carry a jacket or water as this would slow me down.
After a few runs, my friend decided to do the Race For Life too and would sometimes come running with me. This I did find difficult to start with as she was running at a slow pace and I would find myself running on ahead.
After running for about 3/4 weeks, I decided to run/walk 5K. I timed it. I managed 6.5K in 45 minutes. I was very pleased with this. It was the quickest I had ever been.
After that, my friend and I would run 5K together. I slowed my pace down and my friend sped her pace up. We were now running together.
My friend and I took the running very serious and even ran when we stayed in Bath to see my boyfriend. The weather has been lovely, when we have been running - sometimes very hot, which has made it very tough but we made it and ran/walked.
At the end of the race, once I was cleaned off and ready to head home. I treated myself to a '99'.
In total, I ran/walked the race in just under 45 minutes, which did include waiting in small queues at each obstacle. I had an amazing time and I would love to complete it again and beat my time.
I even managed to raise £293. I am so proud - that's an amazing amount of money which will help beat cancer.
Running is now a hobby I have mine. I have kept the running going, since the race. I actually now really enjoy it. It gives me time to myself, to think, to calm down about everything and to enjoy the outside world, animals, wildlife, flowers, trees. Everything. It makes me appreciate the world that we live in.
Does anyone run? What hobbies do you have? I'd love to take up some more and would be interested to hear some stories.
Also has anyone ever competed in a race? (Race For Life, Half Marathon, Marathon, Tough Mudder). I would love to hear you stories.