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Autumn Reflections

Race Day, Cardiff HM 2018
Ten years on from running my first Cardiff Half Marathon, race day dawns. It’s still dark as we leave the house to make the two hour drive and it’s bitterly cold. Eventually, pink light tinges the sky, glinting on the frost in the frozen fields but there’s very little wind which suggests perfect racing conditions.

In Cardiff, I kiss Tom goodbye and make my way through the chilly streets where I pass a very well wrapped up Gaby Logan talking to a camera. She’s teeny-tiny, very glam and rather spray-tanned whereas I’m wearing a manky old jumper over my running kit and my white legs are covered in goosebumps!
Soon, I’m in my running pen enjoying the camaraderie as we wait for our start. An announcer begins to introduce runners and some wag observes that it’s going to be a long wait if all 25,000 of us are going to be named. And then, we’re off and the 13.1 mile journey begins. My first six miles go really well; the crowds here are always wonderful and I’m buoyed up by the prospect of seeing Tom at Cardiff Bay.

Spotting Tom!
By mile ten, I’m flagging, but I know I’m on the homeward stretch. ‘Just a parkrun to go,’ I tell myself. Suddenly I hear a familiar voice calling my name; it’s my dear friend and Thursday Girl, Ann! Ann and her husband, Keith are there to support their son, Dan, who’s way ahead of me, but, gosh, seeing them smiling and cheering me on gives me the most enormous boost! I cross the line in a tad over 2:05, my second best Cardiff time. Later, I learn that two young men lost their lives at the end of the race, the first fatalities in its history. It’s heartbreaking news and makes being able to celebrate with my family feel even more precious.








Four days later, Tom and I are off to the Open University for another step in Tom’s PhD studies.

Autumn colour at the OU
We have a horrendous seven hour outward journey, then, on the way home, we run into Storm Callum. We make it back safely and just before bridges close all around us in some of the worst flooding this part of Wales has seen in thirty years.

River Teifi at Newcastle Emlyn

For both of us now, there’s work to do and future directions to consider. This year has brought moments of great joy, but there have also been setbacks and disappointments. However, I’m absolutely delighted to report that thanks to the generosity of so many wonderful people and extraordinary donations that have brought me to tears, I exceeded my ambitious JustGiving target. I know that everyone at Pancreatic Cancer UK is grateful for the boost to their funds and it was marvellous for me to set off on race day with all that backing behind me. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.


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