The Abbotts Ann Fandango!

RACE TEN: ABBOTTS ANN - 16TH SEPTEMBER 2012

Exactly eight weeks after our ninth race, our tenth and final event took place in Abbotts Ann.  This was not an official Race for Life, but the Abbotts Ann Sports Field Association worked hard to create the well-organised and fun atmosphere associated with such events - with music, a man with a megaphone and medals. 



Fraser studying the route map

The route would take runners out of the Bulbery playing field and along tree-lined footpaths, around fields and out into neighbouring villages.  It is fair to say that the route is somewhat harder than the average Race for Life event, especially for those pushing pushchairs due to the uneven terrain.  Several of our team 'upped the ante' by entering the 10km event, although the word on the circuit is that the route is actually a bit further than 10km! 

Team Tonia had our best turn out yet, with over 50 members taking part.  This time the race was open to men as well, so our loyal Team Tonia ladies denied their husbands their Sunday morning lie-ins and dragged them around the course!  A big thank you must go to Team Coach Ian Oldacre, who marked the route, gave the briefing, provided all the equipment and timed the runners in - he put in a huge amount of work prior to the race despite going back and forward to London to be a gamesmaker at the Olympics.

Emma and I decided to end our series of ten races as we began – by running the race together.  The advantage of this 'buddy running' was that we could offer each other moral support and share the excitement as we crossed the finish line.  The disadvantage was that we could not resist the temptation to chat all the way round, which meant no personal best times – but we did catch up on the gossip!  Our main topic of conversation was our delight at the number of runners and walkers who had turned up, and how thrilled we were that the organisers had kindly agreed to donate a proportion of the takings to Team Tonia.

The Team consisted of a large number of children, some of whom ran the entire distance and even spurred on the adults with whom they were running.  It was quite unnerving to actually have to work hard to overtake my son.   He finished in under 45 minutes, not bad for a 5 year old! 

Angus with cousin, Lewis.

The Team babies in buggies were rattled, bumped and shaken by the time they crossed the finish line, especially 1yr old Alice Ross who I thought was going to be bounced out of her pushchair as her Dad sprinted for the line.  Special mention must go to another Team Tonia Dad, Adam Knight, who crossed the finish line carrying two of his three daughters – Maya on his back and Tabitha on his front. 

Leighton sprints for the finish line

In the canine category, Race for Life regular, Keswick, was joined by his running buddy Marley, as well as superdog Max (ranked 25^th canine home at the Southampton race), speedster Sweep  and cockerpoo Bella. 



Family Bone

As Emma and I made the final turn into the playing field, we approached the finish line to the sounds of cheering, applause, and the chink of glasses, as Emma’s husband Roy held a bottle of champagne aloft!  This was the incentive we needed to sprint for the line, entering the finishing tunnel for the final time.



Amanda and Sylvia Kane-Smith

Once all the runners were home, prizes were awarded to the fastest runners – Team Tonia’s very own Emma Roberts collected the prize for female winner of the 5km race, and honorary male member Rob King collected the prize for the men. 

After the prizes had been awarded, there was one final presentation to make – the moment Emma and I had been waiting for.  We were thrilled and extremely honoured to present Lea Blake from Cancer Research UK with a cheque for £7,000.  We set out to raise £3,000, a target we were not sure if we could achieve.  But to double it and then some…….we never thought our team could raise so much.

But we couldn’t have done it without you.  And Emma and I want to say

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU 

to all of you for running, walking, sponsoring, supporting, and being with us every sweaty, panting (and sometimes painful!) step of the way.  At times it has been emotional - looking around and seeing so many of our friends wearing t-shirts emblazoned with Mum’s name; having to cheerily explain over and over again why we are doing ten races; hearing about other people’s experiences of cancer and how it has affected them; reading out our Team’s dedications at the start of each race.  But it has also been great fun and very, very special, with lots of laughter along the way - a sound that will always remind us of Mum.  So as I end our series of Race Reports, I want to end on a high note, a positive tribute to a mother full of laughter.   

Thank you once again - from Emma, Kate and Tonia (who I know has been laughing with us all the way!)


An Ode to the Inopportune Giggler 

Uh oh….I’ve got the giggles - I don’t think I can stop
This sofa that we’re carrying might be about to drop
I tried to lift and shift and shove the sofa as you said
But now I’m full of laughter and I’m giggling instead!

Uh oh…I’ve got the giggles – I don’t know what to do
One foot’s on the riverbank, the other mid-canoe
The more I laugh the more it moves, I’m going to get wet
But even in extremis, I’ve not stopped laughing yet!

Uh oh…I’ve got the giggles – I really can’t laugh here
In the middle of a meeting, I hope the Boss won't hear!
I’m trying to look professional in front of all the staff
But the Boss has said ‘a funny’ and I’m trying not to laugh.

Uh oh…I’ve got the giggles – it’s not the time or place

As the acupuncture needles are protruding from my face
It wasn’t my appointment, I just brought my aged mum
If they knew we’d giggle this much they would not have let us come!

Uh oh…..she’s got the giggles – even though she’s really ill

In spite of all the chemo and the horrid tasting pills
She finds the strength for laughter and the energy for fun
Even though she’s well aware this fight just can’t be won.

She left us with an order, to live for every day

To be all we could be and have fun in every way
She made us see that life’s too short, it soon comes to an end
So we must make time for giggling and laughing with a friend.

She lives on through our laughter, so we’ll be sure to laugh each day.
So we can feel her near us as we go along our way
We’re left with lovely memories and when all’s said and done,
A legacy of laughter, of kindness, love and fun.


Kate
20th September 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace Will Come to You in Time...

There is a garden in her face

Where roses and white lilies grow;

A heavenly paradise is that place

Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow.

There cherries grow which none may buy,

Till 'Cherry ripe' themselves do cry.

Ten years ago on 6th September 2002 we lost our beloved mum after a very brave fight with cancer.

She was brave and dignified throughout her illness and always thought about others before herself; even during her most difficult times.

Kate and I have nearly finished our ten race challenge.....ten races to signify 10 years.

Dad has supported us throughout the 4 months, as the official Team Tonia coach and as mum's best friend.

On 16th September we will run our final 5km and guess what.....we want you there!!!!

Whether you run, jog, walk with the dog or push a buggy, we want you to join us for the final time.

We were so young when mum died. I was just finishing university and Kate was newly married to Nick. Mum and Dad were looking forward to retiring and spending holidays in their camper van and we all assumed that mum would one day enjoy being a grandmother. This is why Cancer Research UK is so very important. If money can be raised to improve chances for sufferers and one day find a cure for this horrible disease then surely we should all be fighting in every way we can. 

More than 1 in 3 people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime and over 880 people every day are being diagnosed with a form of the disease. 

This challenge has been a very personal one for so many. Every one of the hundred runners in Team Tonia has been directly affected or known someone who has had this dreadful disease. 

We ran in Hyde Park along side a friend whose mother was going through chemotherapy. We ran with a family in Basingstoke whose young cousin has been struck down with an aggressive form of cancer and we walked alongside so many of our friends who have lost their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends. I have run each and every race knowing that one of my friends is fighting breast cancer, she is barely older than me. We were joined by one of mum's closest friends in Salisbury and mum's sister in law and nieces in Oxford and we watched in Salisbury as the Team Tonia balloons were released and our messages of remembrance floated off into the sky. 

We could not have done this challenge without the amazing support from our family and friends who have completed many of the runs with us. It is credit to mum that so many people wanted to get involved. She clearly touched people's hearts and left a memory to which we have all wanted to remember by taking part in the Race for Life events. 

Tonia Oldacre.....she was a loving mum, a wife, daughter and sister. She was a friend to so many, a colleague and an Aunt. She was just wonderful and she didn't deserve to lose her battle. She didn't deserve to miss out on meeting her grandchildren. 

Briallen, Angus and Beau all know who 'Special Grandma' is and over time so will Henry and Barnaby. They have two story books written about her and recognise her in all of the family photos. We tell them she is in heaven and looking down upon us from the stars and Bria and Angus understand she was poorly; too poorly to get better. 

Please help us to help Cancer Research UK on what will be a very special last race for a very special person, who ten years on is never forgotten but very much missed.

Rest your wings my butterfly

Peace will come to you in time                                                   

And I will sing this lullaby                                             

Know though I must leave, my child                                             

That I would stay here by your side  
                                               

And if you wake before I'm gone                                                 

Remember this sweet lullaby                                           

The world has turned the day to dark                                             

I leave this night with heavy heart                                               

When I return to dry your eyes                                                       

I will sing this lullaby

                                                         We love you mum xxx

Entry Form for the Abbotts Ann 5k/10k Fun Run

Race Ten Details - Will you join us one last time?!

As you may have heard, our last race in the series of ten was recently cancelled.  The venue on the Isle of Wight was badly damaged after the Isle of Wight festival, and the seemingly endless bad weather meant it had no time to recover or be repaired.  As such, the Race for Life organisers had no choice but to cancel the event, leaving Team Tonia unable to complete our ten race challenge.

 Emma and I have desperately been looking for an alternative, to ensure that we fulfil our promise to our sponsors and complete all ten races. 

And now we have it:

Race Ten……..in Abbotts Ann!

 Our local village is hosting its second 5km & 10km cross-country fun-run on Sunday 16^th September and Team Tonia will be there!  This will be our tenth and last event and we would love it if you could join us once more!  The event is open to men, women and children, and is accessible for pushchairs and dogs (although pushchairs would be better on the 5km route).  The entry fee will go towards the organiser’s fundraising project which is to rebuild the pavilion on the village sports field, but obviously all entrants would be welcome to raise their own money for Cancer Research via our new JustGiving page: www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/TeamTonia.  Emma and I are thrilled with the sponsor money already raised, so there is no pressure to raise any more (unless you want to!) – we just want to complete our ten races.

So….if you would like to join us in your Team Tonia t-shirt - running, walking, jogging, wheeling a pushchair or bringing the dog – Emma and I would be thrilled!  I have posted the registration form as the next post on this blog site, so please print it off, complete the form and post it with your entry fee to the address given.

Really hope you will join us! 

Love Kate & Emma xxxx

Pretty in Pink in Portsmouth

RACE NINE: PORTSMOUTH - 22ND JULY 2012

From L to R: Val Emery, Janine Baugh, Emma Dowinton, Kate Bone, Sarah & James Ford
Front: Sheila Oldacre & Keswick, Rachael & Aidan Busuttil, Lisa Rawson, Steph Brown, Sam & Tom Yeo
Missing from picture: Rona Mackie, Liz Jones, Liz, Nancy & Maggie Bragg

Race nine took place on a sunny Portsmouth seafront on Sunday 22nd July 2012, and saw 14 Team Tonia members don hats and suncream for the first time in a while! 

Sam and her six year old son, Tom, arrived first, and fiercly guarded our base camp spot next to the Jaffa Orange van.  This was Emma's first race without her children in tow, which meant she did not have to squeeze in a quick breastfeed before the start, nor squeeze herself into her fifteen sports bras in public! 

Getting fired up before the race

Without this necessary but time-consuming welfare issue to contend with, we were able to erect the banner in record time and found ourselves scarily organised and calm prior to the race.  Just then, our calm, collected ambience was shattered by the arrival of four strapping firemen, sending our group of mature pink ladies into a quivering gaggle of giggling girlies!


One of our support crew, James, was able to help pick us up off the floor (after he had taken the photo) and help us to regain our composure, just as his wife Steph appeared from the toilets wondering what all the giggling was about.  A special mention must go to Steph and James, who had flown over from Canada especially to take part in this race (I like to think so, anyway!). 

I want to ride my bicycle

Also arriving in style was Emma's work colleague Val, who cycled to the race venue and cycled home again.  (Really?  Was the race not enough exercise for you, Val?!).

As if one super-keen athlete on the team wasn't enough, we then discovered that Sheila and canine companion, Keswick, had already competed that morning in the 10km Race for Life, when we saw them walking towards us already proudly wearing their medals.  The runners-in-waiting commended the pair on their extra efforts, running the 6.2 mile distance instead of the 3.1 miles.  But then we were stunned when we saw them lining up once more to complete the 5km, only one hour later.  Apparently Sheila is in training for a marathon; I'm not sure what poor Keswick thought of it all!

Our team consisted of four employees of one of our sponsors, Fostering Solutions.  Accompanying them were their support crew, including our youngest supporter, baby Aidan.  Proudly wearing his miniature 'Team Tonia Support Crew' t-shirt, he escorted his mum around the course in his pushchair.

The Fostering Solutions Ladies: Emma, Rachael, Lisa & Val

Rachael and Baby Aidan

As the start of the race grew near, we were growing increasingly concerned for three of our team who had not yet arrived. The traffic into Southsea and the parking was proving to be a challenge, so we feared they would not arrive in time to start the race.  We reluctantly took our group photo without them and made our way to the start line, keeping our fingers crossed that they would arrive in time.  As we became swept up in the sea of runners, joggers and walkers, we didn't see the three missing team members and former University classmates of Emma's, come sprinting across Southsea common, just in time to start at the back of the 8,000 entrants.  The additional warm-up didn't phase Rona Mackie, Liz Jones and Liz Bragg, who ran with her children Maggie and Nancy.

Once the race began we all split up, anxious to achieve our own personal bests in what was to be our last official Race for Life event.  As we turned the first corner, Emma and I were amazed and very touched to see a long-standing family friend and former neighbour cheering for Team Tonia as we passed.  She and her husband had been planning to visit friends in the area and decided to make the visit on the same day as the race, so they could watch us first.  Linda was not only a friend of Mum's, but was also the lady who helped deliver me when I was born, so it was very special to see her there waving a Team Tonia banner!

Although the course was flat, the heat was powerful.  Unfortunately one of our serious team runners, Sarah, was hindered by a shoulder injury along the way, and ended up being escorted by her son as she crossed the finish line.  Another dark horse of the team had a touch of the 'Paula Radcliffes' after the 3rd kilometre, and had to disappear off-piste (no pun intended!) for a short while.  Despite this, both she, and Emma (who used 'Paula's' disappearance to just steal the lead) finished in good times.

As we crossed the finish line, Emma and I felt a pang of sadness that this would be our last official Race for Life event.  The cancellation of the Isle of Wight race due to the recent bad weather means that we cannot complete ten 'official' race for life events, as the Isle of Wight event was the last race in the South of England.  However, with the support of the Cancer Research UK team, we have decided to run our last race in our local village, taking part in their very own cross-country 5km (and 10km) fun-run.  This race will take place on Sunday 16th September 2012 starting at Bulbery playing fields in Abbotts Ann. 

The event is open to men, women and children, and is accessible for pushchairs and dogs (although pushchairs would be better on the 5km route).  The entry fee will go towards the organiser’s fundraising project which is to rebuild the pavilion on the village sports field, but obviously all entrants would be welcome to raise their own money for Cancer Research via our new JustGiving page: www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/TeamTonia.  Emma and I are thrilled with the sponsor money already raised, so there is no pressure to raise any more (unless you want to!) – we just want to complete our ten races.

So….if you would like to join us in a Team Tonia t-shirt - running, walking, jogging, wheeling a pushchair or bringing the dog – Emma and I would be thrilled!  Please contact me for more details and I will forward you the entry forms.

Kate xxx

31st July 2012

Tree huggers go wild in the undergrowth....!

RACE EIGHT: OXFORD-

15th JULY 2012

Our eighth race saw seven grown ups and four little ones travel to Oxford to be a part of an 8000 strong event,  all 'pretty in pink'. As organised as ever, we left Andover at 7.30am thinking we would be in plenty of time to get to the venue and erect the Team Tonia banner....However, as we arrived at the Oxford park and ride we realised that the other 7989 participants had also had the same idea and we joined an enormous pink queue to await our bus ride.

Kate and I were excited to be joined at this race by our Auntie Carole and cousins Madelon and Rebekah who had travelled from Sheffield, Bristol and the Wirral to be with us.

(L-R) Rebekah, Vikki, Emma, Madelon, Kate, Barnaby, Carole, Fran, Diane
Beau, Angus, Henry, Bria

As we arrived at the venue we set up our base camp and were stunned at the vast numbers of women (definitely the biggest race yet) then were mortified to see that all of the 7989 women appeared to be queueing for the conveniences! So with a quick check for tigers and snakes we jumped into the undergrowth in preparation for race number eight (Bear Grylls eat your heart out!).

Kate and I decided to walk the race as I had Beau and Barnaby (with no hubby) and Bria and Angus also wanted to take part. We waved off our only runner Vikki and all made our way to the very long queue to start....so long in fact that people were finishing the race before others had even started!

It was a great day and as the sun shone down on us we quickly forgot how bad the weather had been the few days (and weeks!) before. Madelon and Rebekah did their best to keep up with their mum during the race and Vikki got another fantastic personal best!

Whilst Fran, Nick and Dad waited at the finish line for the Team Tonia 11 to return, Diane and I plodded around the course with my Dowie boys both awake/asleep/awake/asleep! The buggy board immediately became redundant (although we were asked by many who wanted to jump on it!) as Beau ran for a few hundred yards then was carried. His chicken pox had clearly beaten him and Diane was fantastic as she pushed the buggy whilst I carried Beau on my shoulders!!

The most amusing part of the day came when Kate decided that a team photograph was in order.....up a tree! After an initial failed attempt to climb the tree by Rebekah, Madelon set about to show up her sister by 'shimmying' up the branch after Vikki, followed by a determined Rebekah and finally Kate.

It was, yet again, a fab day, with a family reunion to make it extra special.......only two more to go!

Emma xxx

"We want to run with Common people like you...."

RACE SEVEN: SOUTHAMPTON COMMON -
8th JULY 2012

While Andy Murray paced nervously around the grounds of Wimbledon, twelve equally well-primed and energetic athletes prepared themselves mentally and physically for the seventh race of the Team Tonia series.  Just as Murray was receiving last minute advice on technique and positive mentoring from his coach and support team, so were the Team Tonia athletes as our very own fitness guru Emma Roberts led us in our first, and only, proper warm up!

Our team consisted of nine runners and four walkers (including one canine); unfortunately a prolongued injury and a double-booked diary meant that two of our team were unable to make this race. 

The Southampton Sizzlers: (from L to R) Mandy Cowie, Emma Roberts, Georgia Cook, Amanda Kane-Smith, Vikki Bealing, Katy Ross, Kate Bone, Emma Dowinton, (front) Ellie, Rose and Superdog Max
Missing from picture: Gemma Richmond (dealing with poorly son), Jo White (on a warm-up jog)

Our venue was a very muddy Southampton Common, and we set up our base camp not far from the stage and on the driest patch of grass we could find.  The heavy rain of the previous day (and previous month) meant that conditions were bog-like; trainers were beginning to let in water before we had even begun.  The support crew came prepared with pac-a-macs and wellies, but when the hot July sun did get to shine, the little Team Tonia-ites shed the waterproof gear and spent the rest of the day 'Glastonbury style' in bare feet.  The Team decided to embrace the joys of nature and adopted a 'muddy mien' in the form of war paint.  Whether the idea was to intimidate our fellow runners or benefit from a free facemask I am not sure, but it certainly gave us a very small taste of the forthcoming Hell Runner race in November (google 'Hell Runner Down South' if you are intrigued, or if you fancy joining us?!!).  By the time Gemma joined us, she had no choice but to don the facial decoration, only to hear from a passer-by that the puddle (from which Emma had extracted the mud) was where her dog had just 'been'.

The event was larger than some we had undertaken, and as such it was unclear exactly which was the start and which was the finish line.  Any confusion would soon be clarified when Katy bravely jogged off to seek assistance.  Unfortunately, Katy came across her two biggest celebrity heroes, 'JK & Joel', who were manning the nearby Heart Radio gazebo.  Totally starstruck and in awe of the former Radio One duo, Katy forgot the directions given to her by the handsome two and came back muttering something about CCBC's 'Hider in the House'.  As a result, when it was time to stride proudly towards the start line, we were actually making our way to the finish.  A quick change of direction and we were amongst the crowds, itching to get to the front of the runners wave.  We had waved goodbye to Amanda, Rose, Ellie and Max who went to join the walkers, and soon we were proceeding to the start line to await the countdown.  This was a race with a phased start, just like the Hyde Park race, but this time, with determination and lots of 'elbows', we managed to get fairly near the front of the group.  Despite the clearly marked starting positions for runners, joggers and walkers, we found ourselves, once the race had begun, stuck behind walkers only a few feet from the front of the group.  The 'elite' athletes in the team had to grit their teeth and recite their mantra "It's only a fun-run", but it was mildy irritating all the same!

There was no doubt that this route was a more accurate 5km distance.  Not only did we all 'feel' that it was 5km (and boy, that long incline up the Avenue was hard work) but two of our Team were equipped with the very latest in hi-tech gadgetry to calculate their every tired footstep.  Vikki was able to track her pace, distance and overall time via some kind of 'chip' attached to her shoelace - and not the kind that I find stuck to my shoe after Henry has thrown his dinner from his high chair.  And Mandy had an i-phone app that recorded the same; but also encouraged her family and friends on facebook to send her encouraging cheers and whoops as she made her way round the course.  The rest of us received our cheers and whoops from the friends and family that again came along for support - and once again we are extremely grateful.

The Team Tonia Toddlers

25th dog home: Max Kane-Smith

Each Team member finished the course in a respectable time, and even Max the Superdog was 'placed', coming a triumphant 25th for the canine finishers.  The mother-daughter combo of Emma and Georgia raced round together, while Katy once again led Team Tonia home in style.



Katy's dodgy arches held out and Jo's back seemed to be holding too, Gemma's nausea subsided and my knee(s) just about kept going.  Unfortunately Emma's back gave in half way round the course, seeing her struggle from the 3km mark.  Determined not to stop however, she kept running and made it across the finish line, wondering whether her chiropractor would be working on a Sunday.

There was no time for a picnic after this race due to the Wimbledon Mens' Final.  The children had to make do with a quick ice-cream for lunch which they ate, back in their waterproof clothing, as the heavens opened. 

It was another great day, and the mud didn't put us off.  The children had a brilliant time; I don't think I have ever seen a child actually try to swim across a puddle before......yes that's right, Beau was lying on his front in the puddle, arms and legs going a-pace, he even tried the back-stroke before he was hooked out by his father!  Priceless!

"Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud"

Kate xxxx
9th July 2012

Salisbury Journal - 6th July 2012

Sophie Warner (far left) - her mother obviously couldn't keep up
so she found some other nice ladies to run with!

Georgia, Briallen & Ruby crossing the finish line

"...44 pink balloons, floating in the summer sky...."

RACE SIX: SALISBURY- 1ST JULY 2012

Sunday 1st July saw the biggest turn out yet of Team Tonia 'athletes' - 44 pink ladies arrived at Hudsons Field in Salisbury to take part in the sixth Race for Life event in our series of ten.  Just two days before, Emma found herself lying on the chiropractors bed again, but this time due to a Toddler Group related injury!  Emma was not the only injured member of the Team; a broken toe, plantar facilitis (dodgy arch), recent hospital admission and another bad back accompanied us around the course!

Beau with the Team Tonia wagon (or possibly ambulance?)

Once again the team were aided by their loyal support crew; husbands, children and parents all turned up to help erect the banner, inflate balloons, tie ribbons and look after the little ones.  A certain godson of mine made us all very proud when he stepped up to volunteer after a request over the tannoy.  He quickly donned an official Cancer Research UK volunteers' t-shirt and was later seen handing out medals and water at the finish line. 

The Salisbury Massive

The group, ranging in age from 3 to 63 (and maybe even older!), were all given a balloon on their arrival and a pink tag on which to write their dedications. 

Becky with her balloon

Once the team had scribed the names of loved ones onto the tags, we were all ushered towards the stage for another Team Tonia 'moment of  fame'.  The Cancer Research UK events management team had asked us to step up on to the stage and say a few words about our challenge and the large group that formed Team Tonia.  Thankfully after Emma's recent radio interview, a live 'Q & A' session did not phase her at all; I, however, stood nervously at her side, waving my balloon at the crowd and looking at the floor!  Never in a million years did  Emma and I think we would ever stand up in front of so many people wearing lycra; I guess fame does strange things to people.    Once the paparazzi had had their fill (look out for a group photo in the gazette!) we made our way back to the Team Tonia base camp and together released the balloons. 

Anita lapping the walkers!

As the Team consisted of nine children, several of us decided to walk this race, which followed a route around the field, past the Five Rivers Leisure Centre and along the river.  The children did so so well, never complaining and actually asking to run whenever a gap appeared in the crowd ahead.  Bria and Ruby marched on in their matching tutus, and Bec found she ended up running nearly the whole course just to keep up with the enthusiastic youngsters (not bad for someone who recently had a c-section!). 

Yummy Mummies

Anita joined the walkers at the start, then left us for dust, only to reappear as she walked past us in the opposite direction on the way to the finish line, while we were only just re-entering the field - how did she get so far ahead?!!  The 'senior' group enjoyed their experience around the course - despite a minor 'cycle-path-rage' incident with a fellow 'senior' cyclist asking "don't you realise this is a cycle path?"




One of our team was carrying some extra weight for this race (no, not Emma's milk bar).  Seven month pregnant Sam made it easily round the course looking as stunning as ever, even after her hormonal outburst during our speech!

Youngest athlete Megan

Jo White and the seven......White ladies took part in this event, spanning three generations.  Dopey, Bashful, Sleepy........oh sorry, I mean Katy, Sarah and Tamsin were accompanied by their daughters and nieces and all finished in very respectable times.  At the sight of their mothers striding towards the finish line, youngsters Megan and Angus broke free onto the course, just in time to each receive a medal of their own (clearly their fathers were not paying enough attention!)

Keswick was joined by fellow canine Woody, who accompanied Sarah around the course.  The fast pace was clearly too much for the spaniel however, who bolted towards Sarah's husband Martyn at the first opportunity, leaving Sarah to complete the race on her own.  Our elite runner, Katy, ran/walked with her daughter on this occasion, handing the elite crown over to our very own professional dancer, Louise Paterson.  Louise (minus tutu) surprised herself by gracefully pirouetting around the course in an amazing time of 25 minutes. 

The presence of so many people, several of whom were mum's very close friends, made the day extremely special for us both. Mum was very fond of Salisbury and for this reason it was where her ashes were scattered.

The threat of rain had been looming all day, but the sun shone right up until the picnics had been eaten, before the rain began to fall.  The strong wind, which dishevelled hair and tied knots in the balloon ribbons, helped our balloons (eventually!) soar to the sky, carrying the dedications to loved ones celebrated and remembered.  Once again Emma and I were honoured to be standing alongside our family and friends, and as we watched the balloons disappear into the distance, we remembered mum; her infectious smile, her endless love and the warmth she gave to everyone who knew her.

When a person you love passes away
Look to the sky on a clear day.
The star that to you, appears to be bright,
Will be your loved one,
Looking upon you during the night.
The lights of heaven are what shows through
As your loved one watches all that you do.
When you feel lonely for the one that you love,
Look to the Heavens in the sky above.

Kate xxx

02/07/12

Emma's Interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire!

 

Click here to to listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qV5t7nsSrs&feature=youtu.be

28th June 2012

Midsummer Poole Party

RACE FIVE: POOLE - 24TH JUNE 2012

The Poole Panthers (from L to R): Emma Dowinton, Wendy Knight,
Kim Hide, Lucy Hide, Gemma Richmond, Kate Bone

It's late June, just four days after the summer solstice, a time of year that conjurs up images of increasingly warm daytimes, balmy evenings, pleasant temperatures even in the shade.  But not this year.  The weather forecast was not for sunshine, but for showers.  The night before our fifth race of the series there was a downpour, leaving the route and most of the starting area wet and squelchy underfoot.  As we arrived at Poole Park, the six Team Tonia competitors surveyed the area nervously, as runners were warned about the slippery conditions and puddles we would meet along the way. 

Still, every cloud has a silver lining, and the soft terrain meant that Nick and Roy had no problem banging the supporting posts for the banner into the ground.  This came as great relief to them, as, in their father-in-law's absence, they were under a great deal of pressure to live up to his exacting technical standards!  The job was slightly complicated however by the instruction from the Event Management Team to ensure the posts were not banged into underground wires running very close to the surface.  The wires were only carrying power to the nearby hospital - no pressure then!

The six Team Tonia 'athletes' consisted of three runners and three walkers.  Always one to do things properly and follow Dad's very specific advice, I suggested a gentle warm up run to ensure that any pre-race stretching was not inflicted on cold muscles.  This was met by a crude guffaw from Emma, followed by a torrent of abuse and more laughter.  Getting the impression that perhaps she wasn't keen, Gemma and I set off on our own, to the nearest (almost submerged) park bench and back.  As we jogged, we discussed our times at the Basingstoke race just four days before, speculated on the difficulty of this course and the potential weather conditions.....when suddenly we realised everyone around us had stopped and were in the middle of a moment of silence.  Oh the shame!

We returned to basecamp, thinking how lucky we were that we had so far escaped the showers - when suddenly the heavens opened.  Babies were thrown into pushchairs and under rain covers, picnics were hastily packed away and pac-a-macs were speedily donned.  But no sooner had we 'waterproofed-up', the rain stopped and sun came back out, to shine for the rest of the afternoon.

A smaller number of runners at this event meant that Gemma, Emma and I were able to start relatively near the front.  Kim, mum Wendy and daughter Lucy started with the walkers, and our loyal support crew waited until we were all out of sight before heading to the ice cream van.  Wendy and Lucy only entered this race at the last minute, to accompany an injured Kim around the course.  Kim had planned to be running several of our races, but unfortunately incurred a serious injury of the phalange not long before her first race.  A broken toe must be common for sports teachers, due their physical daily routine and energetic lessons.  In actual fact, Kim's husband Kevin disclosed that this injury had been caused by Kim stubbing her toe on the sofa - not quite so glamourous!  Clearly one fracture in the family wasn't enough, as Kim's six year old daughter, Lucy, made it round the course with her arm in plaster.  Whilst Lucy was very keen to embark on her first Race for Life, Wendy admitted she had been somewhat hoodwinked into taking part, having been asked by Kim "Mum, what are you doing on Sunday?".  When she replied "nothing" (assuming she was to be asked a babysitting favour), Kim promptly entered her into the Team Tonia group! 

Wendy, Kim and Lucy cross the finish line

The runners finished in commendable times, each of us achieving another personal best.  Gemma had her headphones in and was clearly 'in the zone', the music driving her on until her battery died half-way round the course.  This didn't stop her completing the race in a time of which she should be extremely proud - and despite her protestations at the thought of running just a few months ago, it is quite possible she has caught the running bug, as she left Poole Park muttering something about entering the last of our races on the Isle of Wight........

Five races down, five to go.  At the half-way point of our running challenge, we have already smashed our fundraising target and hope to exceed it by a long way.  Thank you to those of you who have joined us for the first five - and we look forward to seeing the rest of our team in Salisbury, Southampton, Oxford, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Kate xxx
25th June 2012