The day started with a few last minute updates to the downhamweb website and Facebook page, (annoyed at myself not to have done it sooner, oh well) trainers on and quickly off to Morisons with Dan to collect the donated items for the Fairyland Trust hot drinks stall - including Baileys, hot chocolate and squirty cream. Store manager Jason Savage has been brilliant in supporting downhamweb and Fairyland, so it was a shame he wasn't in...bit of confusion on the customer service desk, (was I just a random lady blagging free drink) but thanks to ace staff it was sorted quickly. Despite wondering if we could just run off with the booze and disappear for the day, we dropped the goods off to Ian, Abbie, Caroline and Jim in the town square where the already had the stall set up for the day- and were looking in fine form!
Quickly we headed back to Lingo and met up with Jenn, (our lingo office lovely) who, despite being told by the doctor that her trachea infection meant she shouldn't participate, was still determined to at least walk the circuit...then we all headed at pace to the centre of town to pick up our running numbers and Santa suits!!
The run/walk was only 2 laps of the town's one way system, a total of 1.2 miles, enough to still be fun, but enough to also still feel like a significant challenge in personal terms, having never entered anything even vaguely sporty, and not being in the greatest of shapes, fitness wise. But there's nothing like a challenge to motivate you, is there, and I am pleased to say my recent dalliance with the Downham Dollies running group gave me the firm footing I needed to set off on. (more on that very shortly).
It was a great turnout, and it was thanks in no small part to the shouts of encouragement along the route that I actually managed to make it all the way around at my new found pace of a slow, plodding jog! And, without any sign of the infamous shin splints that have stopped me in the past.
We stopped to wave at the downhamweb webcam on each lap, Jenn and Dan armed with their camcorder and phone, filming the whole event, and we later found out we were watched by many, far and wide. Crossing the red and white tape finish line, at the town clock held taught by Pete and Cath Duhig and then getting a medal for finishing was a genuine thrill!! As a finishing touch, Abbie even held out a space blanket for me to run into!
The event was organised by Winning Ways along with the Downham Rotary, Downham Lions and was in aid of the Robert Foot Leukemia charity.
Thanks for reading :)
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