VLM 2010 - Seems like a good idea???? by ChrisBrad

Well, here we go.........

Thursday 1 October, received confirmation that yes I'm in!!!   It's a charity place (pcrf) and fundraising is already underway.  I decided that as a P/T Sports Therapist (I have a F/T occ as well!!) I could use my talents, rather than tramp round with a sponsorship form, so have already arranged head/shoulder massage events, as an opportunistic fundraiser.  I have some more ideas later....

My running history........... began back in the 80's, I have my father to blame!!  It was dad's idea to take me along to Swinton JogFit club in order to get me moving, following an fight with an articulated lorry when I was 12 (I don't do things by half :-)).  This had resulted in serious injury to my leg, and the threat of possibly not walking again, uuummm we'll see....  Thanks to Reece Thomas and other members of Swinton JogFit (and dad of course), I managed to contend with the Swinton Rugby Stands and then venture out onto the roads with the other JogFitters.....

Interests changed, well I was a teenager ;-)  However, my interest in jogging, raised its head every so often, usually when I was trying to lose weight and deciding to push my body to its limits (my limits were usually easily reached - I was a very laid back jogger/walker).  A few years ago I had another fitness spate, encouraged by father, once again, when we decided to do a 10k each month, I joined Ilkley Harriers.  Harriers were great, in true Yorkshire dales style, I was frequently rounded up (just like those sheep on t'moors) during the weekly session - this time I was pushed beyond my limits, I did see improvements, but still came last or thereabouts in most of the 10k's I did!!  I also did Great North Run (cousin Sandra's fault - and I told her in no uncertain terms never to ask me to do anything so stupid again!!!)

In between I've played squash - re-ignited my interest in swimming and participated in 2 Great North Swims (in very chilly Windermere).  And witnessed the Nice Ironman 2009 this year on holiday in France - well, now there's a challenge.

So, London Marathon - why? you might ask? Well I've always watched it in admiration to those participants from all walks of life, seen the courage, pain and pure joy they experienced and wished and wished I could do it too.  Entered the ballot a few times, with no luck.  So this year have decided to pluck up the courage, train seriously and raise lots of money for a great charity.  VLM 2010 are you ready???? 

My charity - Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund:-

Sadly lost my mum to this terrible disease 6 years ago - I'm not sure she'd approve of the stress I am going to put my body through, but do know that she'd be proud of what I'm doing (as will dad, I think we'll both be emotional wrecks at the finish...) 

A few sad facts about pancreatic cancer:

• Only 3% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive 5 years or more (this statistic has barely changed in 30 years)
• Each year 7000 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
• It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death and has the highest death rate of all the cancers
• There is no early detection test and treatment is limited. Because symptoms are vague and generally don't appear until the disease is well advanced, the average survival time after diagnosis is 6 months
• Despite the especially lethal nature of this disease, research is underfunded compared with other types of cancer

So, here goes - seems like a good idea - I believe it is and I can't wait till April 25th 2010.  Training is underway, have done a bit of benchmarking at the gym yesterday and managed a 3 miler today (today's supposed to be an easy day - also massaged several heads earlier (another fundraiser)).  I can see my spare time is going to be very easily consumed in the next six months.

Oh, as for further fundraising events........  I have several in mind: bacon butties in work (not for me of course), Father Christmas and the Alpacas (its about time those pets of mine earned their winter feed), more heads and shoulders to massage, hoola hooping, birthday draw, music in the workshop, Silsden Moor quiz night, and any other ideas people might have.

To all who have read my blog, a great big thank you, maybe I'll see you at one of my events?  And to colleagues, friends and family who have already offered to assist me in various ways (though no-one has offered to run it for me yet :-) )  massive thanks and lets enjoy the next six months and help change the dramatic odds of pancreatic cancer.....

Might not have run today but have set up my Just Giving Page.... YAY!!!!

http://www.justgiving.com/Christine-Bradley