Janey's running ramblings: Team Ali's Race for Life Part 1

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.