05 March 2013

Job Done! Still Standing!

Jogged the whole way. Didn't walk! Beat expectation 3.36, not 3.59! Tortoise not Hare.

·   High points: the End and seeing my wonderful Family waiting 3 hours through the cold March day for me!

·   Reading the latest messages donations from all of YOU!

·   Low points: when the real runners lapped me-they were at 11 miles, I was at 5 miles-and then tortoises sent to left and hares to right! Grim another 7 miles to get through, grim even in beautiful Bath.

·   Inspiring point: keeping ‘Kerry’ (another Tortoise) company: Kerry lost her husband Iain Jonhstone to brain cancer 4 months ago, she ran the Bath Half 5 months after giving birth to 2 child-Kerry personified courage; this was so hard for her.

Thought yesterday: The difference between a mile and the half marathon is the difference between burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals!

I hope to have proof photos and the finishing video on-line tomorrow - I think they will make you smile. Thanks so so much for your support and for keeping on giving!

Team Jackie have now raised over £60,000 for Pancreatic Cancer

 

February 2013

They say miracles never cease. Well there’s always a first time for everything! On Sunday 3 March I will be taking part in the Bath Half-Marathon.

Now, bearing in mind that I have not run for so much as a bus since I was sixteen, this will give you some idea of the enormous challenge it will be. My motivation is that I will be one of a team of over 300 people who were connected on some way to a wonderful woman called Jackie Orme.

Jackie was mother to 2 girls and wife to David, as well as an extremely successful business woman. Last August she lost her battle against pancreatic cancer, just under a year after being diagnosed. David felt that building a team of 50 people to do the Bath half would be a great tribute to her fight against pancreatic cancer. 

My father and life-hero, Jack Farley, also lost his life to pancreatic cancer, 14 years ago. He lasted 3 months from diagnosis to death. And yet even since then, advances are being made through targeted research. When dad was diagnosed, chemo wasn't an option; there are now new regimens available and a pipeline of products coming through pharmaceutical research. A way will be found to prolong not only the quantity, but also the quality of life, for people with this cancer.

I started training for the Bath Half on October 29 last year, 3 times a week with a personal trainer. Since then I have experienced pain in every muscle, bone and tendon in my body-the highlight of each training session is getting in the shower at the end! I can now run for an hour with only 1 or 2 stops-honestly I would never have believed this little miracle! I finished planning my final 4 weeks of training this morning and so now the next challenge - Sponsorship.

Would you be good enough to sponsor me to jog; trot; stagger the 13 miles around Bath? I will be the Turtle rather than the Hare, but I am determined to finish. If you feel able to make a difference, to what is a real Cinderella Cancer, by sponsoring me that would be really appreciated.

To learn more about the cause and Jackie Orme do please visit www.teamjackie.co.uk