Walney Fun Run 2015

Last Sunday was the Walney Fun Run, our running group's event of the year, not to be missed! Last year both boys did the Disability Mile run with me and Andy ran the 10k. The picnic afterwards was unbelievable and we all had a thoroughly good time.

Imagine then our dismay last Sunday morning when we got up to heavy rain (blowing sideways!). Hopes were slightly dashed, but the forecast promised that the rain would leave at 10am in time for the Disability Mile to start. Sam was running it again this year with me for company.

We arrived at the registration/finishing field as set up was still going on. Andy signed up as a running marshal helping to keep an eye on the WWC cubs this year (including William) in the 5k event. As soon as William was given his running number by our run leader I took him over to the registration tent to collect his timing tag. Meanwhile, Charlie and Chicky Cheetah also made an appearance, much to Sam's delight.

10 o'clock came and went and the rain stayed unfortunately! The Disability Mile start got slightly changed due to a flood at the gate so Sam and I headed out on the road to start there instead. The rain was still coming down so he ran in his raincoat. The mayor of Barrow set us off and we headed up the road. Sam was right at the back for most of the road section, with me steering him round the huge puddles. We reached the turning point and headed towards the beach path. No sooner had I got him round an enormous puddle but he ran straight through two more! Kids!! At least he was running I suppose! We actually overtook some of the other runners and he didn't stop until we reached the finish. We turned into the finishing field and headed across it to the sound of the 5k and 10k runners cheering Sam on. As usual it was a wonderful feeling and Sam received his medal when we crossed the line and had a photo taken with the mayor.

We couldn't stop though, as I had to get back round to William and Andy as they had our bags and we had to get William ready for his 5k run. Running shoes on (brought him in wellies), number pinned, hoody discarded, pep talk from the run leaders and a warm up later, and he set out with the cubs to the starting point. The 10k runners went first followed by the 5k runners. I was waiting with Sam a little further down the road ready with the camera phone! Saw William and the other cubs head off up the road then we moved down to the finishing gate to wait for them to come back in. The weather improved eventually and it started to feel warm! 

Spotted William coming in and we gave him a cheer. He looked very determined and his running watch showed a definite sprint finish when we looked at his times later. I grabbed Sam and we dashed to the back of the finish to collect and congratulate him. We didn't find out till later but his official time was 37.36 which is fantastic! We also heard some lovely comments about how well he was running so I was a very proud mum. Andy came into the field with the last of the cubs and we headed over to get a hot dog for William who had been promised one by Andy.

After the run was finished, we all got our things together for the picnic. I didn't think it could get any bigger than last years, but oh my, as a group the WWC outdid themselves in the goody department. The picnic was enormous, the sun absolutely shone for us and all the kids ran around giddily playing with hula hoops. Perfect end to the day!

Pearl Izumi Fun Run

Last Friday we were given a brilliant opportunity. The Pearl Izumi Cycling Tour event came to Barrow for the second year. It was a huge success last year, with the roads around the town centre blocked off and lots of spectators. This year, due to a gap in the afternoon's proceedings our run leaders worked their magic to fill that gap with a children's running event, to showcase our local running groups and also a disability run as well. We were very excited for the boys to take part, running as WWC Cubs in the primary age event. They were even given fabulous new WWC running shirts with 'Cubs' on!

We decided to bus it into town for the event due to road closures and possible parking panic, but the boys love taking the bus so it added to the excitement. We got dropped off just outside the course and went to wait for the group. The sun was out but there was a brisk wind about so it wasn't the warmest but everyone was in a fab mood and the children were very excited. After a lot of pics were taken it was time to watch the disability cycling set off, then the secondary school and disability runners. Those at secondary had to run two laps and the primary schoolers had to run one lap of the 1.2km course.

Once they had finished it was time for the primary school children to run. I lined up with Sam at the back whilst William chose to be on the front starting line! Sam held my hand for all of a few seconds before letting go and that was it then, he just kept on running. He wasn't the fastest but he was definitely taking the atmosphere (and the changes to the town centre) in. William stayed well ahead and didn't stop either.

On the approach to the finish I could hear the commentator welcoming William into the finish and Sam and I weren't far off ourselves! When we did reach the end, the commentator welcomed Sam as well and offered a high five, which Sam gladly gave him. Judging from his expression below I think he was a little amazed at the clock on the arch!

All in all, a very good afternoon. Really proud of both the boys and quite excited to have been able to run the course myself! And what a fabulous opportunity to give our community's young runners, an experience they won't forget!

Virtual 5k Run for Autism

Well, Sunday was the day we ran the Virtual 5k Run for Autism that we'd organised to raise funds and awareness for the National Autistic Society - Furness Branch. We only had 100 places in total to offer as we weren't entirely sure how well the idea would go down. As it turns out, whilst I write this we only have 5 or 6 places left, so I'm considering it a success! We had a fabulous response from our running group, the Walney Wind Cheetahs and loads of them signed up. The WWC mascot, Charlie Cheetah himself, decided he'd give the 5k distance a go and that's exactly what he did on Sunday with a little help from his friends. The timing was perfect as it was in the middle of World Autism Awareness Week too!

The forecast was not pleasant for Sunday and I really wasn't sure if it would put people off coming out for a run. The Sunday morning runs split into two, some doing the cubs run of 5k and a longer run for those who wish to. Some of the virtual runners chose to do their 5k as part of the longer run but many came along on the shorter course. That's the beauty of a virtual run, you can do what's convenient for you! As it turned out, the rain didn't put anyone off and we ended up giving out 38 medals that morning which was fantastic.

The rain wasn't quite as bad as I had expected it to be as we headed down the path with Charlie. We stopped at the start for a photo then carried on. Poor Charlie had a little trouble seeing where he was going (he would choose to wear sunglasses on a cloudy wet day!) but was kept on track by WWC friends.

As we got to the end of the path, we decided against our usual play in the playpark on the other side of the road. The equipment would have been soaked and Charlie's fur was getting wetter and heavier by the minute. So we turned back with thoughts of hot chocolate and toasted teacakes from the Abbey Mill Cafe (who also donated to our fundraiser, many thanks!).

When we got to the end, William helped us hand out medals to all those who had earned them...and they definitely had in that weather! Charlie was very pleased with his medal and we got some photos with him before he had to leave. This is what he had to say about it on facebook afterwards:

Well after being such a nervous cheetah and getting in a panic for a few weeks it's all over and .... "I DID IT, YEAH !! " .... My first ever 5km!! 

and all for a brilliant cause helping my buddies Andy & Laura and their boys Sam & William. 

A lovely medal to mark the occasion and a heap of happy memories.Thanks to all of you who turned up to either run with me or take part in the usual Sunday Run ..... Top team effort by the WWC.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed the run and the medal! Thank you all so much for taking part and supporting a cause very close to our hearts.

We've had several other people completing their 5k as well over the weekend, a few on the road, on the treadmill, at parkrun and walking as well.  We will try and get your medals to you as soon as we can!

 

Sam and Andy's 50th parkrun

It was a cloudy and windy morning on Saturday, but I was happy it was windy! It was due to be Andy and Sam's 50th parkrun and Sam isn't the most predictable person when it comes to running so we turned up with our cake, brownies and our fingers and toes crossed that he would be happy to give it a go! Sam loves windy weather (a fact that several Barrow parkrunners mentioned having noticed as well) and it looked like he'd be a goer.

 

I was hoping William would want to stick near his brother for this one then we could all help make sure Sam got round the course. Luckily we managed this for the most part!

Sam looked positively cheerful going round the whole way. I love seeing him smile when he is enjoying something as his whole face lights up. He did his usual sprint/walk/sprint routine and made it into the finish in 51.23, not a bad time for him! (His current PB is 47.42 which he ran last August)

After the run, we headed to the cafe for cake. There was a lot of it that morning as 3 other people had run their 50th parkruns and our friend had also run her 100th! It was great to see so many milestones being reached. Sam tucked into his cake and brownies and probably wondered what all the fuss was about!

I remember having a conversation with Andy about whether or not we should try Sam with parkrun, panicking that he wouldn't stay on the paths or that he might not even run but it turns out he's doing just fine. He may be distracted by wanting to sprinkle cut grass and fallen leaves sometimes but essentially he loves to run around the park and that's what matters. I'm so proud of what he's achieved.

I would like to give Andy a big shout out on here. He is a terrific dad who only got into running in order to take Sam round parkrun 15 months ago (little did he know he'd catch the running bug!). He's also done brilliantly to get to 50 parkruns. He's tirelessly taken Sam round every week and has only actually run 5 of his 50 parkruns by himself!

I'd also like to thank everyone at Barrow parkrun for their support as well. The inclusiveness is amazing. It's lovely to be able to access a mainstream family activity on a Saturday morning and have Sam completely accepted. He is a parkrunner first and foremost and no one is phased by any of his difficulties. Looking forward to him reaching the 100 club now!

William's 50th parkrun!

It was an exciting morning yesterday as William joined the parkrun 50 club!

We were umming and ahhing beforehand about whether or not to go ahead on Saturday due to the horrible weather forecast. I checked it every day last week and saw no improvement to the 30+ mph winds and rain showers predicted. We explained about the weather to William and amazingly he wasn't put off. Andy baked the traditional milestone cake along with brownies and welsh cakes so we were really hoping that William would manage to get round the course.

We heard the wind howling outside first thing Saturday morning but the rain seemed to have died down. Checked the forecast one last time which was now showing no rain so we headed off to the park. William was very excited and told several people it was his 50th as soon as we arrived at the bandstand. He got called up to the front during the usual pre-run announcements and received a huge cheer from the crowd. Couldn't have been prouder..... but he still had to complete the run!

We set off at a brilliant pace for William, in fact I had to work quite hard to keep up with him climbing the hill to the cenotaph! He ran the first lap brilliantly, the second a little slower, but still with determination. On the last half lap we were joined by some of our cheetah friends at different stages and William soon had a bit of an entourage with him! They ran with him till the start of the finishing straight and then it was down to him. He finished in 47.04, so 3 minutes off the PB he had wanted but in that wind I think he did extremely well!

Heading to the finish!

Sam also had a good run (his fastest since September), and he was a happy boy the whole way round, especially in the areas with high winds!

After the run we took our cakes down to the cafe to share. William looked so proud and happy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported him, not just today but at every parkrun since he started 14 months ago.  I was amazed when he joined the 10 club and I'm even more astounded that he's come this far, especially considering he's only 5 years old! Here's to the next 50!

New and improved countdown, now with Skylanders!

Sport Relief 2014

What a great day to start a blog about being active as a family! We (that is myself, Laura, husband Andy and our boys, Sam and William) have just had an incredible afternoon at Barrow Park, taking part in the Sport Relief 3 Mile Run. The weather was lovely and sunny, a proper Spring day. The boys were excited, especially my youngest, William, who is 4. The prospect of gaining a new medal for this run was very exciting for him!

We started off at the back, as we usually do on a run. (We are not the fastest but we get there in the end!) We had incredible support from the back markers as well as all the marshals we passed who were cheering the boys on. The sweets offered at the top of the biggest hill in the park were a great motivator for getting the boys up it! With jelly babies clutched in both hands, the boys flew round much faster than we were expecting. William was amazed to see a teletubby running as well at Batman and Robin on bicycles!

Photo taken by the lovely marshals at the top of the hill! 

William and I finished together and received our Sport Relief medals from the Mayor and Mayoress of Barrow. A few minutes later, Andy ran in with Sam. I think we all came into the finish in under 45 minutes, a time we were very pleased with! And of course, it was a charity run for Sport Relief and as a family we managed to raise £98 in sponsorship which was much higher than our £50 target!

Sam sporting his new medal whilst polishing off his jelly babies at the finish!

We'd gladly take part in this run again, the community atmosphere was brilliant. I'm still on a high several hours later! Thanks to all who organised, marshalled, sponsored and took part. You are all amazing!