Friday 5 July 2013

Race For Life


The “wobble” came out of nowhere on Saturday evening. I pulled out my Race For Life number and back label, together with my trainers and running gear and fell apart. Just over a year ago life was healthy, no cancer. May 2012 I had run the Edinburgh half marathon and raised £650 for our local cancer centre. On Sunday I was racing for life with my own name on my label. It seemed impossible. Underneath “MYSELF” I added the names of those friends and family who have had or are on their own cancer journey.

Surrounded by a sea of pink, an ocean of faces who had been affected in some way by cancer – I Race For Life For “My Nanna, my Mum, Grandpa, my Uncle” “Kick Cancers Butt, Cancer we’re coming to get you, Cancer get outside” if only it were that easy. It was overwhelming and was the toughest part of the race. A raw awareness of the impact this disease has on everyone.
 
The air was warm with a blustery sea breeze as we ran along the esplanade. We jogged our way through the maze of walkers, buggies, dogs and runners. I was very happy to have my fellow running companion and good friend Jackie at my side, sharing the event and providing hugs and laughter. Cheering us on and snapping with the cameras at the start and the finish were both our husbands.