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The Big Day – London BUPA 10K had arrived!  With mounting anticipation, the Royal Star & Garter runners arrived at the meeting point in Green Park, with Jane Hawes our Events Marketing Co-ordinator greeting us enthusiastically whilst borrowing a mallet from another Charity to secure the Royal Star & Garter’s sail banner into the grass to mark our spot. We had arrived!  It was a great opportunity to meet with ‘the team’ which included Khalifa from the Richmond Housekeeping team, Myles an ex employee, a number of fabulous supporters, myself and my personal trainer Jacky Stokoe and her husband David.  Jacky and David were running the race literally with me, Jacky on my right and David on my left – so I felt incredibly lucky to have such committed support to help me through my very first 10K event.

 

A photo call prompted some heroic poses and momentarily distracted us from the mounting sense of excitement as we waited  to be called to make our way to the runners start area.  Having wished all the runners a great run, and said goodbye to Jane, family and friends Jacky, David and I headed through Green Park to the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.  The sheer numbers of people (11,000 people participated in this event) were converging in waves and the atmosphere had me catching my breath with excitement and I felt part of something really amazing.  I thought about all the people who have so kindly supported me and of our residents, and why we were there taking part in this incredible event.  Massive speakers pumped out loud, fast paced dance music and there was a really buzzy atmosphere as we filed through to find a spot in the middle of the Mall!

 

We heard the countdown at 10.00a.m for the elite runners to set off, and we all joined in counting from 10 to Go! And clapping as the top athletes set off down the Mall towards Trafalgar Square and the open road ahead.

 

Eventually it was our turn to be next, and we loudly counted down to Go!, and then we were off!  Quickly we settled into an easy rhythm and comfortable pace and the crowds along the Mall cheering , smiling and waving was wonderful.

 

As we ran past Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column David asked if I had ever run past these iconic landmarks in the middle of the road before, and this truly brought home how special this event is!   By the time we got to Victoria Embankment, the elite runners were on the return leg of their run, a phenomenal and inspiring achievement and they make it look so easy!

 

At various points throughout the run we were treated to the most wonderful music, from steel bands, jazz and drums which was such a treat and really helped to keep the motivation levels high.  In fact we had run 5K before we really knew it!

 

It was around this point that the effects of the heat started to take hold.  It must have been 26 plus degrees, with little shade and virtually no breeze to cool us down.  The past 4 months of training with Jacky in Richmond Park and at the gym really paid off.  But the heat we were not accustomed to and David decided to periodically pour cold water over my head to help cool me down, which under normal circumstances would have elicited some choice words from me and perhaps a sharpened elbow, but he is more than forgiven as this prevented me from over heating in the sun.

 

So many different Charities were represented by runners going the distance for a good cause; all the famous names plus some smaller Charities we had not heard of before.  We spotted runners for Blind Veterans UK, SSAFA, RAFBF, Help for Heroes and the ABF.  We exchanged good wishes with our fellow Service Charity runners where we could.

 

Along the route a pace now and turning to run by the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and with huge crowds of people lining the streets, calling out, waving and wishing all the runners well I had several 'goose-bump moments' and felt so proud to be part of it.  Finally, the 9K marker came into sight and without consciously intending to, I lengthened my pace, put my head right up and started to stride out with Jacky and David comfortably adjusting to this new running rhythm.  At the final bend before the Mall, and with this new all breaking loose speed, we hear my husband and children calling out and just look around in time to see them in the throngs.  The 400 metre marker came closer and closer at which point David rallied us  into a really strong, fast run, hell for leather to reach the finish line.  What an incredible run, and we felt euphoric, emotional and somewhat hot and bothered!  The crowds were cheering and the atmosphere was incredible.  It was a day I will never forget and as it was so much fun, Jacky, David and I have already signed up for next year!