Day 1

How my challenge came about......
I took part in the 5K race 4 life events for the past 2 years to raise money for Cancer Research UK, it's a cause close to my heart and wanted to do my bit for the charity.  However after having seen how much pain cancer causes, my only criteria for finishing the races was that I had to run the full distance without stopping, no matter how slow.  After having the initial bug for both fundraising and running I stepped it up to the 10K races and thought if I did the full series of 3 races I could ask for more money off people.  However that bug keeps growing and now i'm signed up for a half-marathon, which is a massive step as it's double the distance and it also has a minimum raise of £400 for the charity. So this summer, i'm hopefully going to complete my half-marathon (without stopping) raise upwards of £700 (including the sponsors from the 10k races) and hopefully take off some weight while i'm at it, to try and make it a little easier on myself!!

 (that's me in the Hull 10K....the worn out mess nearest the camera!!)

Previous races;
Race 4 Life 5K 2009 (Bradford) ~35minutes
Race 4 Life 5K 2010 (Hull) ~ 33minutes
Jane Tomlinson 10K 2011 (Hull) 1.05.50
Jane Tomlinson 10K 2011 (Leeds) 1.08.54

Training for half-marathon (following Nike training program);
3.02K (18.57 minutes)

Starting weight;
13st 13lb (following Tesco Diets)

Money needed to raise;
£400 (by 18th Sep '11)

So the journey begins, although not an ideal start with a very 'sociable' weekend and no food in the cupboards.  However I am determined to do a good job of this task, so out comes the credit card and off to the shop I went.  With newly stocked cupboards and my daily diet plan to hand....off we go.  

After an afternoon nap and a mini heatwave, the last thing I wanted to do was go and exersize or eat another ryvita....but needs must! So on went my trainers and down went the ryvita.  On my return, from what could only be described as more of a 'stop and breathe' than a 'run', I was red, sweaty and on the verge of what felt like death.  But after a lovely shower and a delicious omelette for tea I was ready to take 'the bull by the horns'!!