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28th June 2012
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Monday, 25 June 2012
Midsummer Poole Party
RACE FIVE: POOLE - 24TH JUNE 2012
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| The Poole Panthers (from L to R): Emma Dowinton, Wendy Knight, Kim Hide, Lucy Hide, Gemma Richmond, Kate Bone |
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!
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| 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
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Ladies of the Night Set Blazingsmoke Alight!
RACE FOUR: BASINGSTOKE - 20TH JUNE 2012
On Wednesday evening 17 members of Team Tonia donned their pink t-shirts and arrived in Basingstoke - our one and only mid-week evening event. We then began a very long walk from the make shift car park (a field) to the event start, which seemed 5km away....
Dad had left Kate with the big responsibility of erecting the banner as he was going to be late. However, very soon after beginning the task, Kate was told off by event staff for not "aligning" the banner with the other stands....(Dad should have given me the job.....!)
As 7.30pm drew closer we all began to worry that Bryony "I ran 13 miles yesterday/I have a hangover" Mitchell would not arrive in time. She had told us just a few days before that she had a meeting in London at 5.30pm but was confident she would get to Basingstoke in time. With the assistance of facebook we were kept up to date with Bryony's journey and her undressing antics on the train! I'm sure she provided amusement to many commuters as she wiggled her running kit on underneath her work clothes!! However, just in the nick of time she came running across the field in time to join us all for a Team Tonia photograph.
Our elite runner Katy, was joined by her mum Jo and sister Tamsin; both hoping they also had the "nearly winning" White gene!
Our sponsor, Fostering Solutions was represented by Judith and Joyce who brought along their supporters ready with bottles of water for the end of the race.
Kate and I were delighted to be joined by one of mum's closest friends and her daughter (even though Lynne ignored my merry shouts at her half way around the course!). Sheila continued her race attendance accompanied by the loyal and very excitable Keswick (possibly the only man in the race!)
One of our runners Sue, began competing in the Race for Life events in Basingstoke in 2004 and has run every year since. She has assured me that I will manage to run 5km in under 30 minutes by the last event!
Jadine and Annette both romped around the course, both looking glamourous as ever and like they had just gone for a stroll when they returned to base camp, and the equally glamourous Gemma (who I had in my sights all the way around the course!) chatted and smiled when we eventually caught up with her, cool as a cucumber!
I was tickled pink to be running the route with one of my oldest friends Emma. Emma and I have been friends since we were babies; our mums were friends, having been in hospital together having Kate, and Emma's brother Paul on the same day. It felt all the more poignant to be accompanied by Emma for this race as her mum Polly lost her fight with cancer just last year. As we ran the route we spoke about when they met and how they lost touch for a year before meeting up again after the births of their second babies - both called Emma and born just days apart!
We felt that our lovely mums were looking down on us, ensuring the weather stayed fine for us all, as well as laughing at our continuous gossiping around the route!!
It seems that Katy may have some competition.....as Kate is taking after Dad with her ability to "run Forrest run!" as she stormed around the route in a cracking time of 23.43 mins......!! Dad was delighted to be able to inform Kate that she is almost as fast as him now - now in his sixties and having just had an operation on his knee!
Well done ladies, we all had a fantastic evening with lots of giggles and just a little bit of sweat!!
Emma x
21st June 2012
On Wednesday evening 17 members of Team Tonia donned their pink t-shirts and arrived in Basingstoke - our one and only mid-week evening event. We then began a very long walk from the make shift car park (a field) to the event start, which seemed 5km away....
Dad had left Kate with the big responsibility of erecting the banner as he was going to be late. However, very soon after beginning the task, Kate was told off by event staff for not "aligning" the banner with the other stands....(Dad should have given me the job.....!)
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| The Basingstoke Beauties (from L to R): Tamsin White, Joyce Cook, Judith Sotes, Lynne King, Kate Bone, Sue Dobbins, Jane Lowe, Emma Powley, Jo White, Katy Ross, Sheila Oldacre, Annette Hender, Sarah King, Jadine Catt, Gemma Richmond, Bryony Mitchell, Emma Dowinton |
As 7.30pm drew closer we all began to worry that Bryony "I ran 13 miles yesterday/I have a hangover" Mitchell would not arrive in time. She had told us just a few days before that she had a meeting in London at 5.30pm but was confident she would get to Basingstoke in time. With the assistance of facebook we were kept up to date with Bryony's journey and her undressing antics on the train! I'm sure she provided amusement to many commuters as she wiggled her running kit on underneath her work clothes!! However, just in the nick of time she came running across the field in time to join us all for a Team Tonia photograph.
Our elite runner Katy, was joined by her mum Jo and sister Tamsin; both hoping they also had the "nearly winning" White gene!
Our sponsor, Fostering Solutions was represented by Judith and Joyce who brought along their supporters ready with bottles of water for the end of the race.
Kate and I were delighted to be joined by one of mum's closest friends and her daughter (even though Lynne ignored my merry shouts at her half way around the course!). Sheila continued her race attendance accompanied by the loyal and very excitable Keswick (possibly the only man in the race!)
One of our runners Sue, began competing in the Race for Life events in Basingstoke in 2004 and has run every year since. She has assured me that I will manage to run 5km in under 30 minutes by the last event!
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| Jane storming to the finish line |
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| Team Tonia Champion Katy |
Following the race Jane, (pictured above) was heard saying "I've just remembered how much I hate running!" Hats off to you Jane for agreeing to enter!!
I was tickled pink to be running the route with one of my oldest friends Emma. Emma and I have been friends since we were babies; our mums were friends, having been in hospital together having Kate, and Emma's brother Paul on the same day. It felt all the more poignant to be accompanied by Emma for this race as her mum Polly lost her fight with cancer just last year. As we ran the route we spoke about when they met and how they lost touch for a year before meeting up again after the births of their second babies - both called Emma and born just days apart!
We felt that our lovely mums were looking down on us, ensuring the weather stayed fine for us all, as well as laughing at our continuous gossiping around the route!!
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| The 'Emma-Gemma-Emma' running combo cross the finish line |
It seems that Katy may have some competition.....as Kate is taking after Dad with her ability to "run Forrest run!" as she stormed around the route in a cracking time of 23.43 mins......!! Dad was delighted to be able to inform Kate that she is almost as fast as him now - now in his sixties and having just had an operation on his knee!
Well done ladies, we all had a fantastic evening with lots of giggles and just a little bit of sweat!!
Emma x
21st June 2012
Monday, 18 June 2012
Sun, sea, sand and sweat-absorbing socks.....
RACE THREE: BOURNEMOUTH - 17TH JUNE 2012
Our third Race for Life event took place on an unexpectedly sunny Fathers Day in Bournemouth. Had we known the weather would take a turn for the better we would have come prepared with swimming costumes and a picnic - instead we had pac-a-macs and wellies, none of which, thankfully, were required.
As our team convened by the Team Tonia banner at the foot of Bournemouth pier, we watched excitedly as the concourse filled with pink ladies, once again adorned with tutus, cowboy hats, glittery wigs and inflatable horse costumes. Our ever faithful support crew supervised the children as they played on the sand, then searched for dry clothes for those little ones who managed to break free and enjoy a dip before the race had even begun.
The atmosphere was building as the MC from Heart FM hyped up the crowd; we were all enjoying the moment until suddenly we heard his booming voice over the microphone ask "Team Tonia - are you out there?" Karen, Sarah and I ran (this was our warm up) to the stage to make our presence known, and as the MC thrust the microphone into my face I suddenly became aware that around 5,000 people were watching me and waiting for me to speak. You'd think that Emma and I would be used to our new-found fame - what with our 3 second mention on Breeze FM and our picture in the window of the Cancer Research shop. However it is fair to say I wasn't entirely prepared for this 'live' interview, and as our Team Tonia marketing guru Sarah pointed out afterwards, I probably should work on my press statement. After bumbling my way through a short interview and making a complete fool of myself, we made our way back to base camp to wait for Bryony, the only team member who had yet to arrive.
Two of our team members were celebrating birthdays over the weekend, Sheila - whose sister arrived at the race with an amazing birthday cake in the shape of a sandcastle, and Bryony - who arrived with a hangover. Not only was Bryony feeling 'slightly fragile', but she admitted to celebrating her birthday by running a 5km race on the Saturday morning, a 10 mile race on Saturday afternoon and was using the Race for Life event as a 'recovery run'! Personally I prefer to spend my birthdays doing as little as possible, but each to their own I suppose! Bryony had planned to run alongside her park-run companion Marley, but was slightly concerned she had almost broken the black labrador during the 10 mile run the day before. Not one to let the team down, Keswick the red labrador stepped up to the start line and accompanied Sheila on the race down the promenade.
We had been warned that the recent high winds had blown a lot of sand onto the course, resulting in the 10km race later in the day being cancelled. As we approached the start line we could see that this terrain would not be easy; either dodging the sand banks that covered the road or trudging through them. The route was straight forward - we ran to Boscombe Pier and back - but the running was hard. On the way out we had to negotiate the sand, and with the vast numbers of people around us it was not always easy to find a clear route. On the way back we had to dodge the Sunday morning strollers, who continued to walk four-abreast along the promenade seemingly oblivious to the sea of runners, joggers and walkers all around them ("There's one or two more joggers out today, isn't there Norman?"). We also had the strong head-wind to contend with as well.
Despite this, the Team Tonia runners came storming across the finish line. Particular mention goes to Karen 'I-don't-think-I'll-be-able-to-run-the-whole-way' Walsh, who confidently completed the race with Emma. Obviously the sand caused the local resident no concerns...it's almost as if you live on the beach Karen! Rumour has it she may try and join us for the Poole race (or at least come along to watch), when we will finally be able to welcome Kim to the team, who missed the Bournemouth race due to a broken toe. The race was concluded with a well-deserved dip in the sea (which Bryony used as an ice-bath to soothe her aching legs!).
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A big thank you goes to the fathers that came to support us on their special day - Martyn, Nick, Darryl, Ian and Ray, and our thoughts were with a team member whose father couldn't be there, having lost his battle with cancer just last year.
Kate
18th June 2012
Our third Race for Life event took place on an unexpectedly sunny Fathers Day in Bournemouth. Had we known the weather would take a turn for the better we would have come prepared with swimming costumes and a picnic - instead we had pac-a-macs and wellies, none of which, thankfully, were required.
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| The support crew suddenly realising the sea was very cold! |
The atmosphere was building as the MC from Heart FM hyped up the crowd; we were all enjoying the moment until suddenly we heard his booming voice over the microphone ask "Team Tonia - are you out there?" Karen, Sarah and I ran (this was our warm up) to the stage to make our presence known, and as the MC thrust the microphone into my face I suddenly became aware that around 5,000 people were watching me and waiting for me to speak. You'd think that Emma and I would be used to our new-found fame - what with our 3 second mention on Breeze FM and our picture in the window of the Cancer Research shop. However it is fair to say I wasn't entirely prepared for this 'live' interview, and as our Team Tonia marketing guru Sarah pointed out afterwards, I probably should work on my press statement. After bumbling my way through a short interview and making a complete fool of myself, we made our way back to base camp to wait for Bryony, the only team member who had yet to arrive.
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| Keswick proudly wearing his Race for Life medal |
We had been warned that the recent high winds had blown a lot of sand onto the course, resulting in the 10km race later in the day being cancelled. As we approached the start line we could see that this terrain would not be easy; either dodging the sand banks that covered the road or trudging through them. The route was straight forward - we ran to Boscombe Pier and back - but the running was hard. On the way out we had to negotiate the sand, and with the vast numbers of people around us it was not always easy to find a clear route. On the way back we had to dodge the Sunday morning strollers, who continued to walk four-abreast along the promenade seemingly oblivious to the sea of runners, joggers and walkers all around them ("There's one or two more joggers out today, isn't there Norman?"). We also had the strong head-wind to contend with as well.
Despite this, the Team Tonia runners came storming across the finish line. Particular mention goes to Karen 'I-don't-think-I'll-be-able-to-run-the-whole-way' Walsh, who confidently completed the race with Emma. Obviously the sand caused the local resident no concerns...it's almost as if you live on the beach Karen! Rumour has it she may try and join us for the Poole race (or at least come along to watch), when we will finally be able to welcome Kim to the team, who missed the Bournemouth race due to a broken toe. The race was concluded with a well-deserved dip in the sea (which Bryony used as an ice-bath to soothe her aching legs!).
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A big thank you goes to the fathers that came to support us on their special day - Martyn, Nick, Darryl, Ian and Ray, and our thoughts were with a team member whose father couldn't be there, having lost his battle with cancer just last year.
Thank you team, yet again you were amazing.
See you on Wednesday night in Basingstoke and again on Sunday in Poole - no rest for the wicked!
Kate
18th June 2012
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Leopard-Skin Lark in Lydiard Park
RACE TWO: SWINDON - 9TH JUNE 2012
So....I'm laying on the chiropractor's bed and she tells me the pain in my hip is not an injury (thank goodness) but a problem with my sacroiliac joint!?!? Umm, great....so can I run or not?!!!!........
With only 1 race completed, this week has been a little fraught with one attempted (and failed) training run and lots of worrying that I wouldn't be able to complete our crazy challenge and that Kate would have to go it alone!! However, after two visits to see the chiropractor the Swindon race arrived....
17 Team Tonia members rocked up at the beautiful Lydiard Park on Saturday morning with the sun shining!! Team Coach (Dad) set up camp with the Team Tonia banner as we all made last minute decisions as to who was walking/jogging/running! We were joined by a very tearful but smiley Vikki Bealing who was due to be running but had sprained her ankle the evening before playing basketball. She, hubby and the girls arrived to support us, all wearing their Team Tonia T-shirts and hobbling (Vikki that is!).
Bryony arrived looking surprisingly fresh and rested considering she had completed the Andover Park run that very morning....."...but I needed to run Marley!!" Seriously Bryony, most people just take their dog for a walk....
The elite runners warmed up; Bria leading the way, whilst the rest of us queued for the portaloos and applied our lip balm and/or deep heat.
We were grateful for having the Team Tonia doctor running with us, Sarah Bruen, however, she left us all for dust with no consideration of any of our medical needs!
Kate and I had no idea that there were actually pink leopards out there, but Michelle Bowen (Mim) proved that there were by donning a beautiful pair of pink leopard skin leggings.....the rumour is that she had seen someone wearing the very same pair on her way to the race so she left the children in the car and hot footed it into Primark just in time for us all the enjoy the splendour!!
It was a great day and as we all know taking part is definitely what counts.....however.......KATY CAME FOURTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Out of 1700 competitors, our very own Nell McAndrew, KATRINE ROSS, actually beat 1696 other people......now that's what it's all about!!!!!
Emma xxxx
So....I'm laying on the chiropractor's bed and she tells me the pain in my hip is not an injury (thank goodness) but a problem with my sacroiliac joint!?!? Umm, great....so can I run or not?!!!!........
With only 1 race completed, this week has been a little fraught with one attempted (and failed) training run and lots of worrying that I wouldn't be able to complete our crazy challenge and that Kate would have to go it alone!! However, after two visits to see the chiropractor the Swindon race arrived....
17 Team Tonia members rocked up at the beautiful Lydiard Park on Saturday morning with the sun shining!! Team Coach (Dad) set up camp with the Team Tonia banner as we all made last minute decisions as to who was walking/jogging/running! We were joined by a very tearful but smiley Vikki Bealing who was due to be running but had sprained her ankle the evening before playing basketball. She, hubby and the girls arrived to support us, all wearing their Team Tonia T-shirts and hobbling (Vikki that is!).
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| The competitors |
Bryony arrived looking surprisingly fresh and rested considering she had completed the Andover Park run that very morning....."...but I needed to run Marley!!" Seriously Bryony, most people just take their dog for a walk....
The elite runners warmed up; Bria leading the way, whilst the rest of us queued for the portaloos and applied our lip balm and/or deep heat.
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| The girls |
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| The runners |
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| Our elite runner (and Briallen!) |
Kate and I had no idea that there were actually pink leopards out there, but Michelle Bowen (Mim) proved that there were by donning a beautiful pair of pink leopard skin leggings.....the rumour is that she had seen someone wearing the very same pair on her way to the race so she left the children in the car and hot footed it into Primark just in time for us all the enjoy the splendour!!It was a great day and as we all know taking part is definitely what counts.....however.......KATY CAME FOURTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Out of 1700 competitors, our very own Nell McAndrew, KATRINE ROSS, actually beat 1696 other people......now that's what it's all about!!!!!
It was a cracking day and everyone did brilliantly, from the youngest in the buggies, who slept all the way round, to the fittest WHO CAME FOURTH!! (Did I say that already?)
On Sunday, two of our team also completed the Winchester race - Thank you Amanda and Maryann!!! The hats looked ace!
11th June 2012
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