We did it!

Hoorah! We crossed the finish line one hour, 12 minutes and 30 seconds after we started and received our medals and our goodie bags (I so love Nivea!!)

An amazing day and such a fab atmosphere. We arrived on the Heath after walking from Sally's (but sadly that didn't qualify as our warm up), made sure we were registered and then chilled for a bit while we waited for the Nivea cheer leaders to begin warming us up. Needless to say, they didn't really! It was hard not to read the signs on others backs - some were heartwarming, some were heartbreaking. Over 7,000 women took part in todays race and it was such a great feeling to be part of that. We were hooted at by passing motorists and cheered by those of our number who had run the 5k and had finished just as we were hitting the 2k mark!

Thanks to dad, Gwen, Tony, Rene, Bert and Marianne, Steve and Nicola, Miranda and Paddy and Jeff who followed us round the 5k walk and who waved us through the starting line, caught up with us half way for a hug and greeted us at the finish line with big cheers.

Thanks also to Malcolm, Emma, Cristian and Wedders (thanks for the Cava Jeff, yum!! xxx) who met us at the pub. Apparently it was the first time that Miranda has seen me with alcohol in my hands!

We're doing it again next year - we've made a pact. And will probably be joined by several of the Mitchells, Rene and Gwen.A very big thank you to more sponsors - David M, John and Chris from Monteray and.....deep breath...... Rene, Joyce, Gary, Nick, Marianne, Bert, Veniece, Maureen, Karen and Tina, Lenny, Abby and Holly! Thank you for such a lovely cheque! x

June and Ron, the weather held out - was a bit humid but we had lovely breezes every now and again!

And last, but by no means least.......this was for you - my mum and Marian's dad xxxxx

Primed and ready go to!

Well, this is it! In nearly 12 hours time we will be registering and warming up for the 2007 Race for Life.

Marian and I prepared ourselves for this epic occasion by wandering round Mountsfield Park at Lewisham People's Day where we listened to an accordion player tinkle some tunes, drank hot chocolate, tried to work out whether a passing gentleman's mad hair was in fact his own, got a henna tattoo each (sorry Maz, I smudged yours a tad x), won a tiger from the St Christopher's Hospice stall AND won a jar of hand cream, some neon wrist band thingies, a bottle of lager, a mind bending puzzle and a bag of Bertie Bassetts! We also found time to hook a duck and each won a teddy AND we even popped into the PCT tent to find Shirley, Janice, Patsy and Kelly working the crowds. We managed to avoid being roped in to help as we have done in previous years. I think it was in 2005 when Marian ended up taking blood pressures and I walked round with a man dressed as a carrot. Don't ask. Sally prepared herself by visiting her parents with her chief supporter Petang and Lynn went shopping with husband Tony.

I'd like to take this opportunity to personally thank ALL of our supporters and all those who have sponsored us - we all appreciate it very much.....in particular I'd like to thank my wonderful dad Richard for all the running around he's been doing and will do tomorrow (hats, ribbons, water and chauffeur) and Gwen for all that she's done for me in keeping me sane!

I'd also like to thank my lovely girlies for just being them: the fab Sally-Ann-Edwards, the lovely Mazza and the amazing Lynn for being such stars and such good friends.

Bring it on!!!!!

Have you ever been to a Harvester before?

The team went out for a team bonding session this evening - Harvesters Grove Tavern and chicken all round. Marian went for the simple one, Sally had Kickin Garlic and Lynn and I went all lemon and herby. One of us had the pictured item for dessert too......




A good time was had by all and final plans were made for Sunday. We learnt from Marian that we're walking the Heath outside the Clarendon and that we have to be there for half nine to register and warm up. Something which I also forgot was: we each get a medal! Woohoo and yay! Plenty of water is needed and we're asking for weather "like we had today" and I added "and a cool breeze please". We're meeting at Sally's first thing and walking (what?) to the Heath from hers. Discussions on what to wear were held and also the tricky problem of what to do if we need a wee half way round. I won't go any further into those discussions, best to draw a veil......T-shirts were given out (not going to tell you what we've got on them, you'll have to come and see us) and a hat-trying-on-session. Dear me, we're such girlies!

And.......we've exceeded our £800 target.....what do you think? Take it up to a round £1000?

More online thank you's to Alison Hardacre, Barb and Dave, Sarah Neill, Petang and my Uncle Dave! Have got some more to add which I promise I'll do before Sunday and that's without all those that have yet to sponsor us - I have their promises in my little black book!

Seriously, a mahoosive thank you to EVERYONE who has sponsored us so far and all those who have filled in a paper sponsorship form for us to collect the money later and all those who have "got the money, will let you have it when I next see you". It's greatly appreciated by all four of us! Thank you also to those of you who have offered moral and practical support (Tony Scott and his hose spring to mind).

So, dear supporters, we'll see you somewhere outside the Clarendon (look for Auntie Gwen who will be wearing our pictures on her T-shirt) at half tennish on Sunday and later in the Princess of Wales public house (for a location map click here) but beware.....if you hear snoring, it's us four absolutely knackered.

Just keep the noise down and turn the lights out as you leave......

Ten questions - Sally

What time did you wake up this morning? 9am

Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say? Ric - I told him I needed a hug and he told me to get a teddy bear!!!

What was the last thing you ate? a whole bloomin bucket of M&S chocolate orange rolls

What do you dislike most about yourself? My anxiety

When was the last time you really, really laughed? with my sister at the weekend

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do? be a fly on lots of walls!!!!

If you could be a celebrity for the day who would you be and why? Jonny Wilkinson because I would make him fall in love with me!

Apart from your house and/or car, what is the most expensive thing you've bought? laptop

What was the last white lie you told? I never lie :)

What's been the most embarrassing moment of your life? i don't see moments as embarrassing just life experiences!

Not long now!

Just think, this time next week will be the last Friday before our epic run/walk/stagger on Blackheath! Wow!

We're finalising our plans (outfits and stuff, y'know) and we're having a Team Dinner on Wednesday to round off our bonding.

I spoke to Beryl yesterday who told me that "Goodwood Road" had raised "nearly 50 quid" - thank you so so much and we hope you can come up and see us. Our supporters will be gathering in the Princess of Wales public house, which is right next to the Clarendon Hotel, opposite the bit of the heath we'll be pounding. Will post a map up but am sure you all know it!

I seriously hope that the weather is like this - we don't want blinding sunshine nor do we want plummeting rain. Do we?!

Ten Questions - Jo

What time did you wake up this morning? At quarter to seven, half past seven and again at five to eight.
Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say? Emma complaining about the hailstones!
What was the last thing you ate? Salt and vinegar hula hoops - carbs innit?
What do you dislike most about yourself? I've got no patience
When was the last time you really, really laughed? Earlier today, but my laughter was tinged with hysteria
If you were invisible for a day, what would you do? Ooh, visit the Millwall training ground and hover around the changing rooms cos, y'know!
If you could be a celebrity for the day who would you be and why? Davina McCall, she's a bit mad
Apart from your house and/or car, what is the most expensive thing you've bought? my new DVD camcorder baby!
What was the last white lie you told? that I'd read through a document that I hadn't
What's been the most embarrassing moment of your life? Far too many to mention, am a bit of an embarrassment magnet!

Having a break....

.....one each!!!! As it's just over a month to go before our epic trek around The Heaf, we've decided to take a step back from, erm, all the training we've been doing. So far, between us we've walked dogs, strolled round IKEA, trawled round the shops in central London and run up and down copious stairs at work. We're exhausted and so taking a well-earned break.

Fear not though! Our stamina and fitness (!) are at a peak. We're mean, lean, keen Race for Life machines and are raring to go (who's laughing?) on 15 July 2007. We hope you're coming along to cheer us on.

Not that I'm pushing (much) but I'm about to send out another email shot to all those of you who, for whatever reason, haven't yet sponsored us. It may be that you're waiting until nearer the time to really bump up our coffers, it might even be that you're amassing great wadges of cash for others and are going to donate all in one go or it might be that you're only able to offer moral support on the day - in which case, get there early, we'll be there from half nine doing the warm up session.

So the intrepid team (still nameless, I'm sorry Hilary but there was little enthusiasm for "Team Fast and Loose"!) are taking a few days to relax and chill before we hit our final month of training. And yes, we still do need to arrange the Training Session at The Rye. I fear Trainer Nigel is losing patience with the Social Sekkretery. Whoops. Lynn is currently at Butlins Bognor (I'm cat sitting - Wisey is very dubious of me and Bruno has yet to appear) and Sally and I are off to Harvesters tomorrow night for some early carb loading.

My lovelies, we need to sort out a team bonding session before too long so we can discuss what we're wearing etc (we're such girlies!) - Lynn has suggested we do it in fancy dress by the way.........

Written by Jo