Yarrow River Splash 10k and Fun Run

The weekend after my half marathon debut we headed over to Chorley to take part in a trail run organised by Mad Bull Events. Andy signed up to the 10k (there was a 5k option too) and I had signed the boys up for the 1 mile fun run.

We arrived at Chorley in good time to collect running numbers from the HQ in the Flaming Grill pub. We had at least half an hour to wait before heading to the start area in the park down the road so we had a sit down in the pub and watched everyone else come through. William, as usual, managed to make friends with another little boy whilst we were waiting and they were happily chatting to one another.

We headed to the start a little before 9am as that was when the children's run set off. I was running with William and Andy ran with Sam. The run started and William flew down the path through the park. We reached a gate that we had to go around and that led us onto a section of grass. It was very wet and our feet were soaked in seconds. William kept running though, having been reassured that we had spare shoes and socks in the car! A sharp turn half way in saw us head back the way we came but through the woods this time. I just caught sight of Andy and Sam a little ways behind us and it looked like Sam was having a fab run.

William flew through the woods and loved it when we came across a huge fallen log that we had to climb over. He soon picked up the pace again and all of a sudden we were back out on the path and headed to the finish. He received his medal and immediately asked if we could go round again! We walked over to the path and cheered on Sam as he came in shortly afterwards. I think the trail element of the run must be very appealing to little boys!

Shortly after the children's run it was Andy's turn to set off.

He already had wet feet from the grass so wasn't too worried about the river crossings that were coming up! One ended up being only ankle deep but the other was up to his knees. He arrived back in 1hr 5min and collected his medal and tech t-shirt. He said it was a hard run but fun. The only possible drawback for him was that there was no water station (although from looking at the photos afterwards it's entirely possible that a few people had a mouthful of river water when they fell over at the crossing!).

Needless to say we all had a change of shoes when we got back to the car, feeling strangely satisfied peeling our socks off! We all agreed it was well worth the trip to Chorley, the run itself was great and the medal and tech t-shirt made it extremely good value for the registration fee. The boys absolutely loved the fun run so I can see us heading back for next year's run!

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!

SSAFA Saunter 10k at Holker Hall

Sunday 21st June was not an early start for a change! We left the house at a reasonable 9am and managed to hit two car boot sales before arriving at Holker Hall for 10.30am. We did this run last year and had the most epic picnic afterwards with the Walney Wind Cheetahs. This year they added on a children's run as well so the whole family could get involved. The weather had been looking iffy all week in the run up to the run and picnic so we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was only overcast and the rain stayed away!

The fun run was up first, 2km long, and the organisers kindly moved it to start half an hour before the main race which meant that parents were able to watch before heading off themselves. Andy ran with Sam and since the run was around the grounds of Holker and traffic free, we let William run independently. Both boys did really well, 2 laps round the course and then back to the finish for a medal and a goody bag! William of course finished before Sam did but ran back out to cheer his brother into the finish.

The main run started at 12pm and as usual, I set off too fast. My ankle was sore from running hard for a parkrun PB the day before and I could feel it through every foot fall. After 1km or so I was beginning to think that the 10k was a bad idea and that I'd have to walk the majority but after about 4-5km the ankle really loosened up and I was able run without pain. The route was last year's route in reverse, with a short section through woodland to finish. A few bits of gravelly path here and there, but mostly on paths. Was hoping to spot a dear here or there, but wasn't to be!

I managed to finish with a time of 1.05.01 which for me was quite reasonable, especially with the dodgy ankle! Got a lovely new medal to add to the collection and a goody bag too.

After the runners were all back we had a huge group picnic and we managed to eat a lot of cake as usual!

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!

2015 Challenge Update and Other Good Stuff

Well, I missed the chance to write up about how our challenge was going at the end of April, thanks to the Dalton and Liverpool 10k races! Thought I would take the opportunity to update now and post about other fab things that have happened recently.

As of this post, we have run a total of 607 miles this year between us, leaving 1408 miles left to run! So far for the month of May, Sam is beating the rest of us in terms of mileage, probably helped by the fact that he has been going to his school running club on a Friday afternoon! He's running 4-5 kilometres up to 5 times a week and loving it.

Sam was also picked again to run for the school's cross country team in a competition that took place last week. It was a relay this time so I was even more nervous than before as he'd need to hold and pass over a baton as well as try and run the whole thing. I needn't have worried after all, he did fantastically. Kept hold of that baton and kept running, even when he wasn't holding my hand.

William followed us round the course as well to cheer him on. I heard this little voice about 3/4 of the way round shouting 'I'm still behind you mummy'! I think he is already planning on taking part in cross country when he reaches Sam's year.

We are still taking part in the Walney Wind Cheetah cubs sessions on a Monday and Wednesday evening. The boys are loving the running and the games. Sam has been taking part in the games as well more this year and is even starting to do one of the stretches after the run....progress!

And of course we love parkrun on Saturdays. William got a fantastic PB of 37.14 last Saturday. He worked really hard for that and showed a lot of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude!) which we were really proud of. He's only 5 minutes off my own PB now so I had better get faster, and quickly!

Our final organised race of the month will be the Crazy Cow 10k at Preston where Andy is running the 10k and there is a fun run for the boys to take part in as well. I'm very jealous he'll be rewarded with a cowbell!
 
Loads of good runs coming up in June as well, in fact every weekend in June is taken up with a race! The Grasmere Gallop, Liverpool Rock and Roll Half Marathon, SSAFA Holker 10k and the Walney Fun Run. Hopefully they will all get us nearer to completing our challenge!

2015 Challenge - March Update

Ok, I know it's now April, but the kids have been off school and we had the autism run at the weekend so I've only just had time now to write a March update for our 2015 challenge of running 2015 miles this year!

As of the end of March, we are now down to 1712.5 miles left to go! We've run a total of 105.5 miles this month, managing just a few more miles in March than we did in February.

We've had a great month of running, including Andy and Sam's 50th parkrun, the Port Sunlight runs and the Jacob's Leg It 10k. And not forgetting of course our virtual 5k Run for Autism.

We have an interesting month ahead for running and we should be increasing those miles now, not least of all because we'll be back running on Walney on a Monday and Wednesday night with the Walney Wind Cheetah Cubs group! Can't wait! Light evenings running along the beach path with friends... you just can't beat that! And the games section in the middle of the session makes it even better.

We've got other events coming up this month too. Andy is taking part in the Ulverston Sprint Triathlon on Easter Sunday, I am running the St George's Day 10k at Great Langdale whilst the boys run in the fun run and we're all taking part in the Kendal Colour Dash too!

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!