Update 28 Sept 2010....

I did it!  Feels amazing, and my time was 2 hours 39 minutes, not bad for my first half marathon.......thank you all for your love and support. 

Update 23 Sept 2010....

Ok, three days to go - outfit, check, running pack, check, training done, check - all set to go!!!!

Updated on Sep 20th 2010 at 12:53 PM using the JustGiving iPhone app

Six days to go and getting very excited. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me!

Thank you for coming to see my page.  For those of you who know me very well must think I am completely bonkers for throwing myself into a half marathon, as exercise is not high on my agenda. However, you also know I can't resist a challenge, and now I've made my mind up I am going for it.  I have the outfit and trainers sorted (high on a girls priority list of course), as I have to look the part, and my training started the end of July...!

In May this year we lost a family friend, Steve Avery who was diagnosed with Bowel and Liver cancer in 2009.  Steve was young and fit and very well known in the windsurfing community, attending the World Championships in the Bahamas as part of the British Team in 1980 and again in Japan in 1981.  His diagnosis and death came as a real shock to everyone.  On speaking with him in January I told him of my plans to do a run and his wish was for it to be for Bowel Cancer UK.  Sadly Steve will not be there to see me in person but I know he will be looking down whilst windsurfing the clouds.  

Rather ironically, I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in February, just a month after looking into doing a run, which for obvious reasons was then put on hold.  Having now endured two surgical procedures, one being a groundbreaking new technique called T.E.M.S. and with my final results due in August, I am pleased to say I am doing really well.  The bonus for me was it was caught early, and although I had to do a bit of chasing appointments and challenging the odd doctor from time to time, I now have a great team of people looking after me, all at Kings College NHS Hospital.  Had this happened to me 4 years ago, the T.E.M.S. procedure would not have been available and my only option would have been a major bowel resection which is high-risk surgery and has a huge impact on day to day life.   

I hope that in fundraising for Bowel Cancer UK I will help in raising awareness, and that money raised can go towards more campaigning for best treatment and care (at the moment only 6 hospitals offer T.E.M.S. with a handful of Consultants trained to use the equipment).  This will in turn reduce major surgical risks and improve quality of life for patients.  I also want to raise awareness to those nearest and dearest to me.  It's not just something the over 60's get, it can happen to us younger ones too so please check out the symptom checker at http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

So, that's why I am doing this - if you can give a just a little or a lot, any amount will make a difference.  Before you get the next round of drinks in, download your next album from iTunes, buy that new handbag (or shoes if you are like me!) perhaps think whether you could spend your money a little more wisely, and support me in my moment of madness!  

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Run to the Beat starts and finishes by the O2 stadium in London, with 11 music points and 5 live stages playing a range of music from rock, pop, dance and urban.  To see the route, click on this link  http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/event/route

Thank you so much for reading my page, and for your support - I am already blown away by all those who have sponsored me and your kind words. 

Tracy