Hello again!

Thank you for visiting my Race for Life fundraising page for 2007! This will be my second time of entering the Race for Life. I enjoyed it so much last year that I entered the 2007 race on the first possible day and ended up as runner number 3!

Since the last Race for Life I have continued with running regularly, although over winter I have only managed to go out once or twice a week. Now the better weather and light nights are here I am hoping to get out 3 times a week again. I did start following a 10 week training plan which included what are called 'speed sessions'. This involves running as fast as you can for short periods - this nearly saw me off so I haven't tried it for a couple of weeks! We'll see how it goes. I am rather a plodder when I run and would like to be able to go faster...

I have completed one other race since last June - The Cancer Research 10k at Harewood House in September. I did this in 75 minutes and raised over £100. This was a hard race as the course was VERY hilly, but I managed to run the whole way even though at times I was almost in slow motion!  

Once again I am running in memory of Robin's uncle, John Hudson, who sadly passed away of cancer 2 years to the day.

I will keep updating this page so check back from time-to-time to see what I've been up to.  

20.4.07 - I have just had a moment of madness! I have signed up to the Leeds 10k Run for All on 24th June. This is being organised by Jane Tomlinson who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2000. Since then she has gone on to run the London Marathon, complete a triathlon, cycle from John O'Groats to Landsend, cycle across America and cycle 2000 miles from Leeds to Rome - a truly inspirational woman! She comes from Leeds and the race is part of the city's 800th anniversary. It should be a good day. The race is on the flat (which makes a change for me!). More training coming up...

I have managed to run twice this week so far and hope to go out tomorrow. I have been struggling a bit with a dicky knee - a peril of my job where the knees take a lot of strain! On Thursday I did my 3 mile route up to the Bold Privateer at  Wrose (no..I didn't go in!) and back. I did it in about 32 mins, so not too bad.

26.4.07. I'm really happy to have received my first on-line sponsors. I have also had several sponsors on my sheet too - £80 in total so far!

I managed to run 3 times last week and have been out once this week - I will be out again later this evening. I have been trying something called 'fartlek' (no, I haven't been on the beans again!). Fartlek is Swedish for 'speed play'. The idea is that you pick a point in the distance like a tree or post box and then run fast to that point. You then slow down and when you're ready to run fast again you pick another landmark to run to. This is supposed to increase the overall speed of your running. I must look very strange suddenly taking off running very fast...still it's all for a good cause... 

I forgot to mention that when I was running on Tuesday I met a fellow runner as I turned into Bolton Road. I ran along side her for a while, but I'm afraid my competitive spirit crept out and I shot off in front and never saw her again...she was a lot younger and slimmer than me too! There's life in the old dog yet!!

29.4.07. Off to the caravan for the weekend. Nice to get away for a rest but I had promised myself I would run on Saturday. There's a nice run along the dismantled railway track at the side of the site. However, it turned out to be quite dull and chilly at the coast and after double chips during the day it was a struggle to go out in the evening...but I did it! There were some lovely lambs along the way, they all stood watching me pass in a bemussed sort of way - probably not seen a sight like it!

When I got back tonight I was really pleased to see I have now reached my target of £100! Brilliant, thanks everyone! Please find the time to sponsor me if you haven't already done so, it is for such a worthwhile cause. Thanks.

10.5.07. Can't believe it's 11 days since I last filled in this diary! Had a couple of good runs last week. I have two types of run - what I call my 'Elephant runs' and my 'Gazelle runs'. Most of my runs are elephant runs sadly i.e. I plod around feeling very slow. However, I do have an odd 'gazelle run' where I almost feel like a 'proper' runner. On these rare occasions I feel that I run faster and more confidently. I had a good run up to and around Peel Park last week and I felt really good but the clock said I didn't run much faster than usual! Also I'm sure I look nothing like a gazelle - but dreams are sweet and free!

I slacked a bit over the Bank Holiday weekend as decorating the living room took over. What a nightmare, we seemed to have bought some new 'on/off' paint - paint it on with one stroke and off with the next!  Anyway, it's all done now, but I did miss a couple of runs (and also had too much wine - but it was a Bank Holiday!).

I have a new running partner this year. Some of you will remember last year I had David? Well, this year it's Lily. I am totally obsessed with her. I love Lily Allen's album 'Alright Still' and proceed to sing it loudly when noone except poor Robin is around. Oliver, Ben and Robin very kindly bought me an Ipod Shuffle as a surprise for Mother's Day. It was really funny when I opened it because I was like one of those children on 'You've Been Framed' who open gifts and get really excited and then say 'what is it?'. Anyway, it's been fantastic for running with, but Robin insists I use my old black earphones as the white ones that come with it give it away that I've got an Ipod - forever the pessimist, he's convinced I'll get mugged!

I have just looked to see if last years fund raising page is still active and it is. If you want to look at that it's the same web site address without 2007 on the end. I raised £330 last year - I'd forgotten how much I'd raised.

3 1/2 weeks until race day! I've already beaten my target of £100 which is brilliant! Thanks again everyone! 

14.5.07. Had a brilliant run tonight! I thought I would see how fast I can run a mile. We have measured a mile in the car. It is from our house to 109 Wrose Road! I ran as fast as I could there and did it in 11mins 15secs. It was hard because it is all up hill. I had to walk for a bit then I timed myself running back. Now I know it's downhill so it's easier...but I did it in 8mins and 49secs! This includes having to slow to a walk for a while as I was running so fast I thought I was going to be sick! I was really proud of myself. Apparently though you're not thought of as a serious runner until you can run a least a 7 minute mile....there's a way to go yet then!!! (I'll have to stop reading these running magazines).

P.S. I'm sure the people at 109 Wrose Road must wonder why this strange woman keeps hanging about by their house!  

16.5.07. Had another run last night, don't usually go out 2 nights in a row but am upping-the-ante (no idea if that's how it's spelt, but you know what I mean!) now on the 'run-up' to the race.

Watched a very inspirational programme on TV last night - Is It Worth It? - about Jane Tomlinson. It's unbelievable but she gets abusive phone calls from people saying she's a liar (with more than a few choice words in) and that they don't believe she has terminal cancer because she wouldn't be able to do all the things she does. Jane said although she may be smiling in all the events she does, she is constantly in pain. She feels it's important to help people who are, or who may become, in a similar situation to herself, which let's face it could be any one of us. She also said that she has found it hard to loose her privacy by unwittingly becoming a media star. She seems such a nice and genuine person and what she does makes you feel very humble...it has certainly spurred me on not to be a wimp and to try as hard as I can with my running.

I am pleased to say my friend Claire has also entered the Bradford Race-for-Life. That will teach her to come over and drink wine with me!! When we got together at Christmas I 'persuaded' her what a good thing the Race-for-Life was. Now she is training hard and doing very well - she's even been and bought proper running shoes now too. Her sponsor page is:

www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/cjwhitaker 

Claire told me about an interesting article on the front of the Target newspaper. It says that:

Bradford's Race for Life is set to be extra special this year as a surprise is in store for the hundreds of women tackling the run.... the event...has been selected as the One Big Weekend, where runners are treated to something a little bit different from the other events across the country.

Sounds very intriguing! Can't wait to find out what it is...hope it's not just 'someone from Emmerdale' as often happens at local events! (What are the chances of someone from Emmerdale reading this...very slim I think, so I'll leave it in!). Apparently even the Bradford race organiser says it's so top seceret even she doesn't know (it's someone from Emmerdale then).

By the way - there are still places in the afternoon place in Bradford if anyone's interested.... 

17.5.07. Out for a speed run session tonight in the fields at the back. In theory I was supposed to be running as fast as I could for 4 x 400m (about 1/4 mile) and then easy running for a further 400m in between. In practice I discovered I couldn't manage 400m so just ran as far as I could. I ran two fast sessions and was between sessions as I approached 2 teenage lads sitting to the side of me. I didn't want the embarassment of looking at them so I pretended to be looking across the fields behind them. I then took off at speed and just saw them both look over their shoulders shocked - they must have thought something terrible was bounding across the fields the way I took off! It was quite funny really!

I felt much better after running because I had not had a good day...here's for the moaning bit, stop reading now if you can't stand it...

In 2001 I started the menopause. I know you're thinking I'm far too young for that - and indeed I am! My mum's to blame for that one, she had hers in her late 30s. Anyway, I don't know if it was sparked off by the fact I had a breast cancer scare, I started a new job, I started to learn to drive all at the same time, or if it would have happened anyway. It's not been too bad apart from the hot flushes. When I used to hear women talk about hot flushes I used to think "Get a grip!". Not anymore! Some days are worse than others...today was a 'worse than others'. I get so hot the sweat just drips off for up to 10 minutes. It's really hard to try and carry on, especially when I'm in the middle of something with the children such as singing. Today I was changing a nappy and was sweating so much I was in danger of drowning the poor child so Robin had to take over. The good thing is the children don't notice at all! The hot flushes also wake me up 4-6 times a night- it's years since I had a good nights sleep (other than when I had a good night at my friend Claire's and she filled me with so much wine I slept right through - one minute I was sitting outside her house by the chimera (? sp) and the next I was waking up the next morning in bed! Not a cure to be taken regularly though!)

Anyway it was good to get out to run my frustrations off - and the good thing is if you have a hot flush when you're running - no-one knows!

That's enough moaning from me for now ... 

19.5.07. Very excited today because I have just received my T-Shirt for Jane Tomlinson's 10k Run for All in Leeds (see above). You could choose your charity to run for from about 6 (all Cancer Related). I chose to run for Jane's Appeal - she raises funds for 5 charities:  SPARKS, Macmillan Cancer Care, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, Martin House Children's Hospice and Yorkshire Cancer Care Centre. These are all local charities.

My T-shirt is therefore for Jane's Appeal, and it came with a nice letter from her husband, Mike, saying that a limited number had been signed by Jane herself - and mine is one of them! I'm really chuffed!

This linked in with me meeting a fellow childminder in town who told me about how ill her grandson had been with cancer. He was only four when he was diagnosed (he's five now) and they have gone through a year of hell. He has had to have a kidney removed and will have to have more chemo and radiotherapy, but he seems to be recovering well. Apparently this kind of cancer often occurs in four year olds, it is not known why, but has been linked with the child having a growth spurt.

When you hear stories like this it makes you realise how important it is to continue raising funds to fight this disease. With this in mind I now have a fund raising page for the Run for All. It is:

www.justgiving.com/judithdalby

I have not customised the page as yet, but will do when I get chance.

If you would prefer to sponser me for this race rather than the Race for Life then please use the link above. Of course you could sponsor me for both .... 

Later that same day... just been out for a 4 mile run. Most of my runs are 21/2 - 3 miles, but need to up the mileage ready for the 10k. Did ok, and ran all the way, but it was a bit of an 'elephant run' (see above). My son, Oliver, came with me which was really nice. Of course after a while he went off in front - well he is half my age and men can run faster (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). He did have to walk some of the way though ...

Talking of sons - Ben has moved back from university today. Oliver moved back in February. So, the house is full of men. I will need to go out running to escape the testosterone overload! 

Thought you might like to know that a parent of one of the children we care for is doing the Race for Life. Her name is Sarah and her web site is:

www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/slbarnes

That's it for now cos Saturday night is wine night and Oliver is making us a curry (so there is an advantage to the boys being back in town!). 

23.5.07. Out for a run last night - up to Peel Park and back , not too bad but feeling a bit tired this week. Tesco on Monday as usual but had some excitement because they were selling some running clothes at half price and then 20% off as well! Bargain! I got 2 pairs of cropped pants, a t-shirt and a zipped hoodie.

I have two cunning plans for this week:

1) I am trying to loose some more weight in order to be more aerodynamic for running (that's the theory anyway!). I still carry quite a lot of weight for a runner - although most of it is pure muscle now   (I don't think!).  So... that means no treats for the next 2 weeks, no take-aways, eating sensible portions and only having water in an evening (except for weekend wine ...that doesn't count!). The sad thing is that I've realised I'm on holiday next week so it will be difficult. I am sponsoring myself £2 for each lb I loose and will donate this to cancer research, and Robin has said he will match it. So far I have lost 5lb!

2) Tomorrow I am on a course called Grow Something Different (don't think this includes marijuana...it's things to grow with children!). This is in town so I will run there. Pity the poor person who'll be sitting next to me...let's hope there are some smelly plants there I can blame!

Last night I watched one of by favourite programmes - Look Good Naked with Gok Wan. I just love the way he makes us curvatious women feel proud of our bodies - there's way too much emphasis on the size zero thing at the moment (says me dieting - but that's a means to an end, and I'll never be size zero in a million years!) Anyway, I was thinking it would be funny if the surprise for the One Big Weekend in Bradford (see above) meant we were all going to do the race naked - now that would be a sight to behold! Would that mean more sponsorship...or possibly less!

27.5.07. You are looking at a very narky (sp?) woman, or would be if you could see me, which it's a good job you can't!  This morning I got up and decided to update this page. I changed the photo (that's me just starting last years race) and wrote loads in my diary, then I wasn't able to save it and I lost it all! I was soooo cross! Any way I will try again below. Plus we've spent all day spring cleaning our bedroom, very boring!

Yesterday I got some new running shoes. I've had my others almost a year and I got them off ebay so I didn't know if they were the right sort. You need shoes that are right for your kind of feet and running style. I decided to go to Sports Shoes Unlimited as they fit you with the right shoes. Well, what a performance that was! First I had to take off my shoes and stand on a heat sensitive pad which showed my foot shape (luckily I had washed my feet), then I had to put on a pair of neutral running shoes and go on a tread mill. Prior to this I had to roll my trousers up to the knee, a very glamerous look! I haven't been on a tread mill for years so had to hold on, especially as I'd had a huge calzone pizza (diets going well then). As you run a camera films your feet to see how you run. I should have known all was not well when the girl said she had to get a second opinion. A guy came over and looked then told me that my feet land in different ways because I twist at the right hip! Great. That made me feel a whole bunch better about my running! Therefore I need supportive/ controlling shoes. They  found me a pair which I really liked, "fine" I said, "I'll have them". But no, it was not as simple as that! Back to the tread mill, hanging on for grim death again. This time the guy comes to watch too, he suddenly shout, "Did you run like that before?" I thought my style had miraculously changed - but oh no - apparently you shouldn't hold on as this affects your running style. So now for the next humiliation - I had to run the whole lengh of the shop and back, with my trousers rolled up! Must have amused the other shoppers! Finally the guy decided the shoes were ok. I was so glad to leave that shop...  

Later I went on a run with them and they seem great - just spent the time trying to look at my twisted running style! Oh joy!

Oliver came on the run with me and of course he left me behind again...

As for my two cunning plans for the week:

1) Have lost another 1lb on the diet but it has been a bit half hearted at times...

2) I did run to the course on Thursday. It was at St Peters house in town and only took me 15 mins to get there, so not bad. The course was interesting and I'm now growing ginger, tumeric, Bangladeshie beans and a Mexican Hat Plant!  

28.5.07.  Still here...was supposed to go to the caravan today, but the grotty weather put us off. We are going early tomorrow instead. Caught up with a few jobs and then went for a run tonight. Did some speed sessions and have found I can now run fast for longer, but all I can say is this running lark aint easy...

Will probably not write this diary now until Thursday when we come back. Only 5 days to go to the Race For Life - I am really excited about it! 

1.6.07 Into June already - where does time go? Only 2 days until the race now. It'll be a brilliant day, I can't wait.

Had 3 days at the caravan, and the weather was very good despite the forecast.

Ran to Robin Hood's Bay and back - just over 4 miles - quite a good run. Met another couple who were running in the opposite direction. They were quite funny really as the woman didn't seem to be dressed for running at all. She had huge hair and a chiffon scarf tied around her head in a bow. He was wearing a raincoat and a wooly hat. He shouted, "How far have you run". I replied, "To Robin Hood's Bay". Then I realised that as he didn't know where I started out from that told him nothing! Anyway, none of his business! During that run I also almost swallowed a fly! It went straight into my mouth to the back of my throat. Now, I hate it when people spit, but I'm afraid I spat for England to try get the fly out, and I'm not convinced I did either. What's that song, "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly..." (cut the 'old' bit!) ..."perhaps she'll die". 

I also attempted a 'tempo' run - a shorter run where you run faster, that went ok.

We managed quite a bit of walking too, which is good as the diet went to pot! Got weighed this morning though and I've still lost 6lb in total. I will weigh myself on Sunday before the race and sponsor myself for the amount I've lost.

Another interesting fact for you. When I was buying my new running shoes (see above) the guy who was hanging about suddenly shouted at the girl who was fitting my shoe, "Lace lock!". I thought they were going to try and sell me some fancy contraption for doing my laces or get me in a wrestling hold. The girl then said, "Put your foot on my thigh". More embarassment - I did as requested, feeling like a child having my shoes fastened. Any way, have you ever noticed in trainers there are two smaller holes at the top of the lace holes? Well, you're supposed to make a loop through those with the lace on the same side, then put the opposite lace through it. You then pull down to tighten the loop and then pull up to tighten the lace. That gives your foot more support. Don't say you don't learn anything from this diary! 

2.6.07. They day before the race and I've already got butterflies! I am really intrigued to find out what the 'one big one' is going to be (see above), it's probably still 'someone from Emmerdale'! 

Up bright and early because I'm doing a Food Hygiene course today. Just noticed I have to take my own lunch - probably no would would cater for a food hygiene course (they're often run by environmental health officers)! Found I lost another 1lb, making 7lb in all. I'm surprised. If I have put on any weight tomorrow I will take today as weigh in day, which means I am going to sponsor myself at least £14 and so is Robin.

Had my hair cut very short yesterday, that should keep me cool tomorrow and make me more 'hairodynamic'!

Had my last training run yesterday too, went through the fields behind us. It was a very pleasant summer evening.

Later that same day... the exam after the Food Hygiene course was quite stressful, proper exam conditions, just like school! Came out feeling like I'd run a race and I thought doing training would be physically restful! Would you believe that as I sat and ate my lunch a maggot was crawling at my feet - I'm sure the guy running the course had let a few go as a test - I could see another crawling around on a different part of the floor, very bizarre.

Well, tomorrow is the 'big day' and my bag is packed and my running clothes and special t-shirt are ready. I've had my pasta for carbs for energy. No wine tonight even though it's Saturday!  (will make up for it tomorrow, well it is the last day of my hols too!). Oliver is kindly going to get me some alcohol free larger.

GOOD LUCK TO CLAIRE AND SARAH TOO - they're both running in the morning. Claire is coming to pick me up at around 9.15ish. Robin, Oliver and his partner Danielle are coming up later.

Will update tomorrow to say how the day went. 

3.6.07.  Done it! That's me in the photo crossing finish line with exactly 28 mins on the clock - 3 mins faster than last year!  Congrats to Claire who finished in 30 mins! She's done brilliantly. More later - off to chill now.

Later... so I finished 3 mins and 13 secs faster than last year (we set of 13 secs after start time)! I can't believe it. Especially as I had a really bad stomach ache - thought I was going to be sick or have the squits! Carried on though, and it was VERY HOT too. My running mags say never try any new food/drink before a race. I tried this fantastic electrolyte caffeine/energy drink - never again, pure water from now on!

Claire will woop-my-ass next year if she runs, what a fantastic first result! Trying to talk her into 10k next - she'll do it easy!

The so called 'one-big-one' was 'one-big-flop' - nothing happened at all! Not even a wiff of one celeb - last year we had Nell McAndrew. Not even 'someone from Emmerdale' - very disappointing! Will have to complain to someone about that. Last night in bed I was even imagining to Robin it migt be 'Take That' with a Robbie re-union! And the DJ/MC was very patronising I think...  

3 weeks now to the Run for All in Leeds! Please sponsor me for that if you haven't so far...thank you! (see link above) 

As you can see from Robin's sponsorship of my weight loss - it's our 24th wedding anniversary tomorrow! Can't believe it! (would have got less for murder as they say - only joking - 24 VERY happy years). I have a wiff of silver for next year... 

Sponsorship seems to have dried up at the moment  so if anyone would like to sponsor me that hasn't then please do. It is for a very good cause. I have trained hard and kept this diary up-to-date because I feel I owe it to people that sponsor me to try my best. Thank you.

5.6.07. Changed the picture again today to me and Claire after the race - we both look remarkably well considering! We are wearing our Race for Life medals.

Been feeling a bit down the past 2 days - not sure if I have a bug or something. Robin is not feeling well either so it could be. I suppose my poor body might just be getting it's own back for being pushed too hard. Sometimes after an event like that I think you can feel a bit down as the adrenaline etc settles down, I think it causes a bit of an anti-climax. I have not been able to run and so am panicing now about the Run for All in less than 3 weeks, not sure I have enough time to do it justice...

The good news is that sponsorship is now almost at £200, so that's brilliant. It makes all the hard work worthwhile. Thank again everyone!

6.6.07. Back on form again today so will be training tonight again. Spoke to Sarah today and she ran all the way in 31mins. That's brilliant! We'll have to get our own little team up-and-running (pardon the pun!).

7.6.07.  Didn't get out to run last night as felt awful by the end of the day. Today I had convinced myself I would never run again - the power of negative thinking! I forced myself out and actualy did quite well, just had a run around the fields at the back. Will try to do a longer run at the weekend, ready for the 10k!

Speaking of the 10k I will now be putting most of my diary on my other web page:

www.justgiving.com/judithdalby

Please check in from time to time to see what I've been up to. Just over 2 weeks to the Run for All!

Thanks again to all my sponsors!

Thanks very much to my sponsors so far: Robin, Oliver, Ben, Grandma, Cath and Andrew, Liz and Eugene, Danielle, Claire, Sarah, Mum, Dad and Adrian, Mum and Dad, Lynne and Stuart, Julie and Paul, Amanda and Richard and Kay.

Events like Race for Life are an important way in which Cancer Research UK is able to fund its life-saving work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. By sponsoring me now you could help more people survive cancer.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me - Cancer Research UK 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.