Race for life!!

[Sylvev]

Anybody else run the 5km race for life today? I ran, with over 2,900 other women, at Worcester racecourse. It was great fun, a wonderful atmosphere and a there was a real sense of camaraderie. I am fairly new to running and was pleased to finish just within 30 minutes. I have known several people whose lives have been touched or taken by cancer, and I felt it was a good way to celebrate and remember those people.(Also, provide funds for research by being sponsored). Anyone take part? Will you continue to run as a hobby/ means to keeping fit? I intend to, though my body is aching from head to toe and I'm off in search of paracetamols and a long soak in the bath!

Congratulations Sylvev! You should be very proud of yourself. Didn't do the Race for Life, but trained up to do the Flora Women's Challenge (3 miles) last year, and then couldn't go due to illness! I loved running outside if it was sunny, otherwise it was the treadmill at the gym. Well done, and do you think you'll keep running now you've started?

Mooma. Thanks for your message. It was a great experience and I intend to do it again next year. I hope to carry on running. I find it is the only time I am truly alone and able to think. That probably sounds a little melodramatic but I've come to value that time. Also I find it is cheap, takes little planning (unlike going to the local gym) and I can vary the routes if I get bored. Are you planning to run any other races? A pity you missed the Flora race, I think 3 miles is a good starter, I don't think I could run much further yet!

Since my brush with TSS over Easter, I am not quite up to running yet, but I have started walking every day in an attempt to regain my lost stamina. In fact, the experts say walking is just as beneficial as running, but there's nothing like running for getting the old heart working hard! Also, I know just what you mean about thinking time. I sort out loads of stuff in my head because no-one is there chatting to me.

Well done Sylvev. I did the Race for Life a couple of years ago when my daughter was about six and a half months old and loved it. Do they still encourage people to pin signs on their backs, with dedications in memory or celebration? I found that so moving and inspiring - just when I was flagging I'd see some woman running in memory of her 14 year old daughter or in celebration of some other friend and it just spurred you on. I ran in memory of my mum who died from breast cancer and was all proud and tearful when my little daughter cheered me over the finishing line. I'd love to do it this year but am heavily pregnant - but am determined to train for next year. I agree it's a perfect distance - training doesn't take up more than half an hour and it doesn't completely ruin your joints like long distance running does. Hope you can keep it up - I'd recommend it to anyone (you can even walk it and lots of women did)

Carriel, Hi. Yes, many women had notices on their backs, in "celebration/memory of" someone. It was very humbling to read some of the messages and I felt especially sad during the 1 minute silence prior to the race. I intend to go for a run at the weekend again and try to fit in 2-3 runs per week. Good luck with the pregnancy. Best wishes.

I did it yesterday too - at Stamford. Was a bit of a nightmare for various reasons, but still well worth it because of the cause, because of the cameraderie, and because it is a great way to get fit.

Definately doing Cambridge instead next year though. Did it last year and it was much easier ;)

The course at Stamford is a bit of a killer compared to Cambridge (big hills and very narrow sections plus no-one took any notice of the 'joggers' and 'walkers' signs which meant I got trapped behind about 3000 walkers.)