Well that was unexpected! Thank you very much for the person who gave a very generous donation on Saturday. I was hoping for lots of little ones and got one big donation. I would love it if you could private message me so I could thank you personally - it blew me away when I saw the message come up on JustGiving.

Thank you for the bottom of my heart 💕💕.

This was to be my first event I have entered in 8 years plus, so I really was i really out of practise. It didn’t  matter that it was for fun there was still the matter of being prepared and the stress of getting to the venue in time. As mentioned in my last blog the venue was in Battersea Park, starting point The Millennium Stadium.

It was a great venue full of everything you need to get organised for an race. Most importantly nice facilities for a last minute stop to the loo. Nothing is more important than that, and nice to not have to queue for a portaloo. I don’t miss that part of large races!!

The atmosphere was really nice, it felt very Christmassy. As I parked in the car park, stressed that I didn’t have enough time to pick up my Santa suit and number and so on... two people roller bladed past me in Santa suits. I did think I’d entered the wrong race, but later found out that they where the helpers for the wheel chair race. This led me to the next and best surprise.

After plonking myself somewhere less busy to put on my Santa suit and accessories, off I went to the bag drop which was in the stadium. After managing to squeeze in a loo stop and grab a quick photo to post on Facebook, I looked to the left of the start line and spotted three people in wheels chairs. Nothing major about that, except that one happened to be the one and only, David Weir. 

I’m not often star struck but when you see a Paralympian that you have followed at all of his events, you can’t help but feel a big sense of excitement. I have seen him race at the Olympic Park and at two marathons, as well as seeing him in the Victory Parade in 2012, but this felt more real. After everything thing he has competed in, he still travelled up from Wallington to Battersea to start this race 💕.

I could not have asked for a better start to what was going to be a run like I have never experienced before. In-between trying to tighten my Santa trousers and keeping the belt from coming off, my last concern was what time I could finish the race in. Which was just as well!

Everyone was really friendly and there were quite a few lone entries like myself, so I didn’t feel like a billy no mates, not too much anyway. There  was a lot of groups of girls and quite a few families, which was really lovely to see. Once I settled into a very slow jog whilst holding onto my trousers and trying to keep my race number on display, I really did enjoy the event. The weather although very cold, was perfect.  Seeing around 2000 people in Santa suits adults and children with the odd rudolf and Christmas pudding thrown in was really funny too. There where quite a few groups singing Christmas songs on the way round and it definitely beat Christmas shopping.

The course was 6k spilt into two laps. The first lap seemed long but knowing I was on a home stretch after lap one spurred me on. Nearing the end and remembering where the official photographers placed them selves from end of lap one, I put my Santa beard back on and tried to look as smart  as possible for the end of the race photo.

Apart from the fact I had over heated from the hat and the trousers where half way down my hips I’m sure the photo will come out just fine 😄.

The fundraising event coordinator from Marsden requested photos to be sent to her for the Marsden website. I have no expectations on the outcome on this, so I will just have to wait and see. Anyways, I had completed the distance and along with many others, and as we crossed the finish line we were lead to the table to collect our medal, snack and water. I was told to head to the right as the left side was too busy.

Well I was stunned… there just by the medal table was David Weir again. Handing me my medal and congratulating me on my race! This is a man who is a six time Paralympic champion out in the cold, taking time out from his family to be part of a big charity event. It is a crying shame his career ended on a low after everything he had achieved.

I would have loved a photo with him but my phone battery ran out half way round the race where I had my running app on. Never mind I keep telling myself, shaking his hand and talking to him for one brief moment was enough.

Feeling a sense of relief and joy that I had finished, I headed back to the bag drop and back to the car. One event done, many more to follow.

My next charity event is The Marsden March on the 4th March 2018. The team consists of one of my besties Jill, along with her some of her family members and some of her close friends. We will be walking 14 miles from The Royal Marsden Chelsea to the Royal Marsden Sutton.

Training is underway and we will be launching our group just giving page late January, with our fundraising target set at £150 per person. 

Something to look forward to for 2018!