Team Ali's Race for Life - Part 2 the 5K

With the 10k finished Team Ali 5K runners began to appear at the tent. The tension was equally the same as it was for the 10K with many team members taking on this challenge for the first time. 10K runners had stayed behind to say hello to the 5K members and there was a lovely feeling of camaraderie. Everyone was there for the same purpose to raise as much money for Cancer Research as possible.

After the one minute silence the dancing started again! And did Jill enjoy her dancing...

 Even Sam decided to join in with his brother - excellent moves Sam!!

Warm up done, down to business - a 5K to run!!! Off to the start line with you all. See you in a bit, come back for cake...

And the prize for first Team Ali 5K runner back is... drum roll... Nikki Van De Kerkhof! well done Nikki, excellent run. And Linda too, not so far behind Nikki!

Everyone else came back safetly with fantastic stories of their journey around the hill. Well done to everyone who took part. Particular thanks and well done to Jill. Jill was first to sign up to Team Ali and has worked really hard training for this despite never having done anything like this ever. She even gave up her high heels and her bling for the day, although did sport a rather lovely pair of pink and white trainers...

You were amazing Jill (and I know you weren't feeling well and have ended up off work all week not well) I can't thank you more for your support and kindness at work and in this race for life. You were absolutely awesome!!!

Also want to give a big shout out to my Fetchie mate Carolyn in Brunei, she couldn't make the Holyrood run, bit far for 3 miles, but went for her own Team Ali 5K on the beach...

So everyone safely home, cakes eaten, and medals shown off time for the tent to come down. The running may have been easier...

There was a lot of larking about and great fun. What struck me most was the amount of sadness and hurt that brought everyone to that field had turned into an amazing amount of hope, laughter and positivity. If only to raise enough money to stop cancer affecting other families. I love my running and I would rather not have to be doing this event under the circumstances we find ourselves in but if we can raise just enough to fund research then I am happy to have done it...

So far to date Team Ali has raised £3,540 and I know there are loads of you still to upload your fundraising efforts. Amazing guys - what can I say? We are blooming amazing and Alistair would be very, very proud of us and just a little embarrassed that we did it in his name.

Always in my thoughts my love. x

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 

Jane

x

Team Ali's Race for Life Part 1 - 10K

All the training had been done, final preparations made, nerves building and race day was upon us.

Andrew, Hazel, Catherine, Rhona and I packed the car full of goodies and the tent. We drove to the park and set up our wee green tent. First runners to arrive where Rhona's pals. 

As the morning rolled on the rest of Team Ali's 10K contingent arrived at the tent all excited and up for their challenge.

Some of Team Ali but not everyone!!

Team Ali Fetchies

My two best mates.

There was a very sad one minute silence where we all had a chance to think about those who are ill and those who we have lost. It goes without saying that Alistair was absolutely there with us all, probably thinking "not another hang around in the rain for Jane to come back"! I am sure we all miss his loveable smile and warm personality, I know I do.

Soon the sadness was replaced by lots of great fun, the warm up. Not your usual pre-race warm up - more of a dance really. What a lot of fun we had...

 

Warm up over, off to the start line. Nerves building, a few tears, and lots of chatter. And there does appear to be the start of a brand new Race for Life Team Ali Boy Band - nice looking guys!!!

Everyone ran their own race, had their own experience and spoke to lots of people on the way around. My experience was amazing. I have been around this route more times than I care to remember, in fact 3 weeks previously I had ran a 10 K in the park for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. But never had it held so much emotion, fun and happiness. My Fetchie buddy Kate paced me to a sub 1 hour 10K, first time in a long time for me. I had really wanted that sub 60 to show Alistair that after all these years I was still capable of pulling out a fairly fast race and thanking him for all his love and support over the years. I think he always knew that, I always took time at the end of my races to say this to him and I am sure he was there with everyone of us, proud. It was really hard running up that finishing straight and him not being there shouting "Go on Janey" but he was there in my heart and I had Kate holding my hand. I love Fetch and I love Kate for doing that for me. This one was for Alistair. 

Gradually everyone came back to the tent, Andrew was doing a roaring trade in cakes. There was lots of chatter and excitement at the many PB's that had been run and exciting stories of the journey round the park. There were many of us seasoned runners got seasons bests and many first timers who made their debut and aced it! Well done to everyone who took on the challenge and conquered it.

Everyone in the team were athletes, but this pair are real athletes! Pretty near to the front this pair!

So with the 10K out of the way and lots of well earned medals around everyone's necks the Team Ali 5K contingent began to arrive.....

Part 2 - the 5K to be continued...