Hello!

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I will soon start to make diary entries. At the moment I am concentrating on the Race for Life which I am running on 3rd June in Bradford. Then I will update this page.

Please visit:

www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/judithdalby2007

for the latest news. 

27.5.07. - I have just added a photo, it is of me just finishing the Cancer Research 10k at Harewood House last September. That was a VERY hilly course. The Run for All is a lot flatter I think!

7.6.07. Hi

I will start keeping this diary now up to the Run for All. I completed the Race for Life on 3rd June at Lister Park in Bradford and managed to run all the way in 28 minutes - 3 minutes faster than last year! I was really pleased. Last years Race for Life was my first ever run, and I've kept up running since then. As you can see in the photo my second race was the Cancer Research 10k at Harewood House in September 2006. As I have said this was a very challenging course - very hilly. I completed it in 75 minutes, but I did manage to run all the way, even though at times I was almost in slow motion!

I was really excited when I heard about Jane Tomlinson's Run for All on the local news and entered it straight away. It gives me another challenge and enables me to raise money for an excellent cause at the same time. I chose to run for Jane's Appeal which supports various cancer related projects including children's hospices. I have terrific admiration for Jane Tomlinson and all she has done to raise money to help people with cancer. She has motivated me to run and I shall think about her as I run the Run for All.

I was really pleased when I got my race T-shirt because it had a lovely letter with it from Jane's husband saying that Jane had signed a limited number of T-shirts and mine was one of them! I will try to post a photo of it on here soon.

8.6.07.  No running today - but did walk up to the park with the children. My cunning plan for the weekend is to go to the caravan tomorrow morning and at some stage to run along the dismantled railway track from Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay. I think that will be about 6 miles (just short of 10k). I am really keen to give the Run for All my best shot as I want to do my best for Jane Tomlinson. She has been through so much that I feel I owe it to her. Her husband was on the local news the other day, talking about the run. He says Jane's not so well at the moment...

Cancer really is a terrible disease and I keep hearing of more and more people suffering from it.

10.6.07. Just back from the caravan. Lovely weekend except there was a lot of sea fret so didn't see much sun. Did the run I planned - from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay along the old railway track. Found from the sign post that this is 6 miles, so only 0.2 miles short of 10k. I found the first 2 1/2 miles quite hard and had to walk for a couple of minutes. After that I got my second wind and ran the rest of the way! I was really proud and the best news is I did it in 65 minutes! Game on for the Run for All!

The only downer was that today a woman asked me if, "I was having a little one?". Still I suppose I should be flattered that so thought I was still young enough, and I was wearing a smock dress... perhaps I will have to continue with my sponsored diet for the next 2 weeks!?

To find out more about Jane Tomlinson look at:

www.janesappeal.com

13.06.07. Thank's to Claire for being my first on-line sponsor!  No running on Sunday or Monday, needed to recover from my 6 mile run on Saturday! Plus Monday is Tesco night.

Was on a training course at St. Peter's House in town last night so did a tempo run (faster paced run) there. I didn't feel like running at all, but was glad I did as I felt much better after and it was a nice night too. Luckily there are some nice toilets at St Peter's to get changed in, it just meant I had to run with a back pack. The course was very interesting, all about doing circle time with children. Picked up quite a few ideas. Maybe I'll find some time in between childminding, paperwork, training courses and running to try some!! 

My next cunning plan is to do another longer run on Saturday. I am at another training event all day then am going to my mum's at Horton Bank Top. I plan to run from there home. I thought it would be about 6 miles, but according to Robin's Sat Nav it's about 4 1/2 miles. Any way, I'll give it a go. Most of it is downhill apart from the bit home from town. Will be ready for my Saturday night wine by then!

15.06.07. Well. where has all this rain come from? Was going to run last night but it was far too wet! I don't mind running in the rain so much, I just can't stand it when my glasses get covered, I need wind-screen wipers! In the end we went to the new Subway and then the new Costa in the Forster Square retail park! My thought about Subway is - why have a six inch when you can have a foot-long (yum-yum). Also discovered a new Frescatto at Costa, Strawberry Shortcake (double yum-yum!).  Well I will need some energy to run this race! (someone will be asking me if I'm having twins next!).

My race pack arrived this morning. I am number 6240. Also in the pack was information about the day (I will read that after doing this) and a chip. No - not a potato snack for the day, but a gizmo you tie on your shoelace prior to starting the race and it gives you an exact finishing time - very clever! I am getting so excited...

I even braved the rain tonight and went for a run. It wasn't raining too heavily. Went up to Peel Park. The lake had been cordoned off because it must have flooded over. Part of my run is round the lake so I sneaked through, then I nearly went a-over-t in some mud, that'll teach me to be clever! I'm afraid afterwards a footlong and a strawberry shortcake frescatto called...  

17.6.07. Well, what a busy weekend. Attended the childminding training day at the Midland Hotel yesterday. Great venue and a free lunch too! Attended 2 very interesting workshops - Music in the Early Years and A Sensory Approach to Books and Rhymes. Got some nice freebies too - books, a story sack and props and an musical instrument.

Then as planned I went up to my mum's and then ran home from Horton Bank Top. It took me 50 mins so not bad. It was very strange running through the town centre though - I thought it would be quiet but as I approached Centenary Square I realised loads of people were sitting outside the Lloyds bar there! I thought someone was bound to hurl some abuse, but luckily no one did. Perhaps I don't look as wierd running as I imagine?

Today I have been busy most of the day updating children's record books - it's surprising how long it takes to do them.

Only One Week now to race day!!!!!  

18.06.07 Saw Jane Tomlinson on TV today. She is not running on Sunday but will be there to support the runners. The 2 presenters from Calendar are running too - their race numbers are 2 and 3! 

19.06.07. I have changed the photo today - that's me wearing my race day t-shirt and holding my number. I am pointing to Jane Tomlinson's signature on the shoulder. Unfortunately you can't see it that well in the photo but it says 'Jane' then either 'T' or '7'. 

Went out to do some speed training tonight. I was really tired and really would not have bothered if it was not the run on Sunday. Speed training is really hard and I hate it, but I have set my mind on doing my best so I did it. Running as fast as you can is really weird  I end up feeling like one of those old cartoons where they're running and their legs go round in a circle! I never really know if I have run as fast as I could as I always feel I have to hold back a little in case I throw up or end up in a tangled heap on the floor! Oh, the joy of running!

Jane Tomlinson was on tv again tonight. She didn't look too well. but smiled the whole way through the interview. She is really looking forward to Sunday and seeing the 8000 people taking part. She says it has been very hard work helping to organise it all, but feels it is well worth it. She hopes that lots of people will come along to support the runners. I just admire her so much for all the things she has done - I know how hard it is to run when you're feeling well...  

20.06.07. In a dilemma tonight - Robin said are you running or shall we go to Subway, now there's a hard decision! I'm afraid a foot long won! But later I decided to run as planned, so at 9 o'clock (in between episodes of Big Brother) I did my 2 mile run up to 109 Wrose Road and back. The poeple at 109 must have been saying, "That strange woman is outside again". They must think I'm casing-the-joint!. I ran as fast as I could, which is hard all up hill - 11mins and 30secs it took me. Coming back down I did it in 8mins and 45 seconds - that's my fastest mile yet! I did have to walk for a few seconds unless I would have see my Sub again! Felt really tired when I got in. Should sleep well tonight, hot flushes permitting!!

Tomorrow will be my last run brfore the race - I think I will need 2 days off to rest and build up my strength. Somewhere in one of my running magazines there is a plan on what to do on the weekend of a 10k race, what to eat etc - I will dig it out and read it . There will be no Saturday night wine I'm afraid!

P.s. I am really pleased to have gone over my target of £50. I am so grateful to people for sponsoring me as I know I have already been sponsored for the Race For Life. Thank you everyone!  

21.6.07. Didn't manage to run today as I said. I was very tired and it seems to have been a long, hard day. We have had bad news in that the tax office want to investigate our accounts for last year. It's not a problem, we've just been picked at random apparently and we keep detailed records, but it's still a worry. Don't think they believe how much we spend on resources - they'll have to come and have a look!  Was just going to go to bed feeling very grumpy when I thought I'd have a quick look at my page - I was very overcome to see I have been sponsored for £50 by Georgia! Thank you so much!!! I don't feel quite so grumpy now! 

I will run tomorrow now, then Calendar are going to have some tips on running the race so I'll be watching that.  

22.6.07. Did my last run before the race tonight! I managed to dodge the rain too which was great! Up to peel Park & back. Had to be careful though cos it was really slippy in places after all that rain. Lots of slugs out too - think they were out to get me, if I'd have slipped on one of the little beggars it would have been slug pellets at midnight! Lucky escape for both of us then.

Jane Tomlinson's husband, Mike, was on Calendar. He again said that Jane is quite poorly, but that's she's hoping to be well enough to start the race. I'm sure she will if she possibly can because she's just one of those sorts of people. Fingers crossed! Not many tips given for the day other than the weather will be rubbish - but good for running. It's due to be overcast with possibly some rain, and quite cool. No wind though (unless I have beans for breakfast!). Jane's daughter is running and she is number 1, a big-wig from Leeds Council is number 2 and as I said the two from Calendar are 3 and 4.

Found my running magazine with the article about preparing for a Sunday race. Starting on Friday evening it says: relax and don't run tonight - thats that plan scuppered then! At 7pm I was supposed to make a plan for race day, but it's 8pm already! At 8pm I'm supposed to have a high carb, stomach freindly meal - wonder if the foot-long sub and Strawberry Shortcake frescatto I had an hour ago count? Not supposed to have any alcohol tonight either, then have an early night - might as well tear it up now, will try and do better tomorrow!

Will let you know how the plan is going tomorrow and will write down details of race day. Off to write my plan now...only an hour late. 

23.06.07.  Thanks to all my sponsors, now up to almost £130 so beaten my target. Thank you all so much.

Well only 12 hours to go now and I'm really nervous. Pre-race plan was a bit of a disaster. I was supposed to relax & have my feet up as much as poss. We ended up driving to Otley to look at a Smart car Robin had seen on ebay. It was not very good. We decided to go on to Ilkley, but Robin drove along a road that was so narrow and dangerous that I thought he was trying to get my race adrenaline up so I would take off like a rocket tomorrow! In Ilkley I decided I could do with some new running socks - I went in one shop and asked and the girl said there was a running shop about 1/2 a mile away. Off we set walking - over 1/2 a mile and no sign of the shop. Bear in mind I'm supposed to be resting. So we walked all the way back to the car. My legs and back were hurting - I'm sure it's all phsycological, but I was fed-up. We drove to the shop, which was like a tardis - bigger on the inside. A nice young lad served us, but it was very hot in there and I had a massive hot flush, sweat was dripping off me! He must have wondered how I could ever manage to run any where without drowning in my own sweat! Plenty of choice of socks so got 2 pairs and an energy bar and left quickly! 

Back home and on to updating children's record books again. I sat for 6 hours doing them. At least I was sitting down, but the plan said that I should not do any thing to challenge me physically or mentally! So as you can see the plan was not a success! Back on track at 7pm with a meal of pasta, sauce, vege-mince and chick peas to give me energy. 8pm packed bag and got clothes ready for tomorrow. Have drunk plenty of water as well. No wine tonight and will be in bed at 10.30ish.

The race starts at 9am tomorrow. Have to be there at 8.45 at the very latest. Would like to get there at about 8.15-8.30. It starts and finishes on the Headrow. We all have to meet in Millenuim Square. The elite runners go to the starting pens first (those who will do it in sub 40 mins). The rest of us then get led to the starting line. And that's it..off we go.

Prizes for the winners are given out at 9.45 at which time I will hopefully be almost 3/4 of the way round! We all get a t-shirt at the end which has been designed by local schoolchildren. Photographs will be taken of us crossing the finish line.

So thats it ..off to put my feet up - wish me luck!!!  

24.06.07. DONE IT- RAN ALL WAY IN 67 MINS ! THATS ME IN PHOTO AFTER THE RACE HAVING AN ENERGY BAR - no photo crossing line cos Robin, Oliver & Danielle never spotted me. Must have been going lightening fast!!!! More later - check out local news at 6.25pm, they're going to show the run. 

If you look at www.raceahead.net and click on results service, then on Janes Run for All and 'go', then type in runner number 6240 you'll see my full results!  

26.06.07. Finally recovered from the run, was a bit tired yesterday. Pleased to have done it 8 mins faster than the last 10k I did. It was a great day and a fantastic atmosphere. Jane Tomlinson was there and waved us all off which was great. The weather forecast was wrong again (no surprises there!). The sun shone a lot of the time which was nice, but it was very hot at times. Did have a few problems with my back hurting - that sometimes happens when I run in the morning, think in needs easing into the day a bit more.

2.07.07.  Have sent in my sponsor money for both the Race for Life and the Run for All. Raised £195.50 from Race for Life and £130 from Run for All. Thanks again to everyone who sponsored me. I am happy to have raised so much. It took me to Thursday to fully recover. Was quite run down. Think it was a mixture of training hard, running on the day and the excitement of the build up and the day itself. I had a week off running last week as a break.   

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL MY SPONSORS!  

Thanks so far to: Georgia, mum and dad, mum, dad and Adrian, Julie and Paul, Clare and David, Claire, Sarah, Matthew and George, Robin, Eugene and Liz, Lynne and Stuart and Diane and Steven

Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Jane's Appeal will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.