Race for Life at Victoria Park

On the 27th of June I took part in one of Cancer Research UK's 5KM Race for Life at Victoria Park. Along with nearly 1,700 other women we were able to raise nearly £320,000 (with us contributing £1,350 and counting) that go straight to helping this charity research a cure for cancer.

The people we run for might be different, but the love is the same

Now for many a 5KM doesn't really seem as much, however I have become very complacent in my London life and as many had given up on exercising. Who has time to go to the gym or even a run when you are working pretty much from 9-6 and then have to battle with the idea of going outside into the British weather. Which, thankfully, really pulled through for us on Saturday - maybe a little too much.

A nice in between - not too slow, not too fast

I had signed up earlier this year with a couple of friends, as we wanted to raise money and use this opportunity to remember a dear friend, Andrew Dreverman, who sadly passed away December 15th, 2014 from battling with Ewing's Sarcoma. Andrew was a happy, confident, encouraging young man who even through out his illness maintained a positive outlook. And for a moment things did seem to be going well. He was responding well to the chemo treatment and they were able to remove the tumor and he was in remission. A few months later after a random check, it was discovered that the cancer had come back and had spread to his body. At this point they made the decision to return back home to Australia, and shortly after he passed away, leaving behind his wife and 18 month old son. Gone, but not forgotten.

Ms DD really getting into the swing of things

Which is why we decided to do something that is completely out of our comfort zone and quite frankly not something we enjoy doing. So after gearing up and attempting to get into some sort of physical shape, I finished the 5KM in 36 minutes. 36 minutes, in peak mid day weather, with the sun blaring on us. But it was all worth it! And I hope to continue with the running, in fact I will have to, as in all the excitement I have now also entered the London Marathon ballot. I don't do things by half measures as you will soon find out.

A beautiful day to remember

But I did do a rookie mistake. Not with the running... but with our post workout lunch.

Once we finished and met up with our little group of supporters, we headed down to The Victoria Pub for a celebratory and remembrance lunch. As it was such a glorious sunny hot day, they set us up on a table out in the garden. We then proceeded to toast out success and fundraising efforts with a Gin and Tonic. Which then turned into a couple of jugs of Pimms that accompanied a lovely Fish and Chips - the lunch of champions of course.

3 hours later it all started to kick in... the heat, the dehydration, the booze... it was time to go home for a nap. And lo and behold, when I woke up about 2 hours later I had the mother of all headaches. Silly girl! Dehydration + Alcohol = stupid mistake! Oh well, lesson learned (again).


The Victoria - 110 Grove Rd, London E3 5TH @thevicmileend