March 2010 Newsletter

News

(Image courtesy of the Hull Daily Mail) The race is now on for the last places in the first ever Jane Tomlinson’s Hull 10K. There are now only 1,000 places left for the event which will take place on Sunday May 23rd with places for 5,000. Among those who have already pledged to take part are Hull City, whose team will be headed by manager Phil Brown, and teams from both Hull KR and Hull FC. Also running will be Lord Mayor Coun Karen Woods team, who will be running for charity ,Cash For Kids and winner of TV’s Biggest Loser show Aaron Howlett, who used to weigh 25 stone and now is now a weight loss mentor and has inspired a team to join the Hull 10K.

Like all Run For All events, entrants are encouraged to run, jog, walk or wheel the Hull 10K for whatever charity or good cause is close to their heart. Already signed up are Kirsty and David Charlton who are running for Diabetes UK after three-year-old son Reece was diagnosed with diabetes; Caroline Neale, a charity shop manager, running For Dove House hospice in memory of her sister; and sisters Christine Ware and Annette Quarterman who are running for the RNLI after losing a loved one in a diving accident.

Mike Tomlinson, who heads up the events set up in his late wife’s memory, said: “The response from Hull has been amazing since we launched the vent. We are now down to our last few places and I would encourage anyone wishing to take part to sign up fast. May 23rd promises to be a fantastic day and one which will raise huge sums for causes close to the heart of the local community.”

The partner charities for the Hull 10K are Cancer Research UK, Daisy Appeal, Dove House and the RNLI which will all each receive an equal share of money raised by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal from the Hull 10K. Those entering are, however, free to support any charity.

The Hull 10K will start and finish in the picturesque Queen’s Gardens, take in Hull’s historic gems such as the Guildhall and the Maritime Museum and bring runners along the waterfront, past The Deep and through Hull Marina, all with the iconic Humber Bridge in the distance.

A small army of dedicated volunteers is required to help make our events days to remember: to help with a huge range of jobs including marshalling, manning drinks stations, and helping runners before and after the event.

Kid’s across the region are being encouraged to get their trainers on and show the grown up’s how it’s done by entering the biggest FREE children’s event in the UK, The Arena Group Junior Run and Mini Fun Run. Thanks to the support of the Arena Group, this year for the first time the Junior and Mini Fun runs will be FREE to all participants. Jane Tomlinson’s Arena Group Junior Run and Mini Fun Run, like all Run For All Events, is a not for profit event, set up to raise funds for a wide range of charities.

Among those already signed up are pupils from Leeds West Academy and Raynville Primary, who helped launch the event. Schools entering this year are encouraged to fundraise either for their own school or for the appeal. This year the money raised from the event for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal will help pay for the refurbishment of the children’s waiting area in the Paediatric x-ray and ultra sound department at Leeds General Infirmary. Children throughout the region visit the department and with the support of runners we can help to make the experience a little brighter.

Mike Tomlinson said: “Jane’s wish was always to create a true Run For All and an event for children is a great way to get everyone involved in sport - and thanks to Arena we can go one better and provide the opportunity for free.”

The May 9th event includes a 2.5km Junior run for ages 9 to 14 years and a separate 1.5km Mini Run for ages 3 to 8 years, accompanied by an adult. Taking place in conjunction with the Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 9th May, the Junior and Mini run make it a great day of running for all the family no matter your age.

As in previous years there will also be a school challenge with team prizes in primary and secondary categories. The Run For All team are therefore encouraging schools across the region to enter a team and encourage their students to get out there and take part in a great community event.

Celebrity Interview

Chrissie Wellington
Earlier this month, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal was delighted to announce that British Triathlete and World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington is to become a patron of the charity. Chrissie, 32, is reigning and triple World Ironman Champion 2007, 2008 and 2009 as well as the current World record holder and Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.

We caught up with her in the middle of her training. . .

Chrissie, it’s great that you’re joining Jane’s Appeal as patron….
CW: It’s such a huge honour to be asked and I want to do as much as I can for it. It’s only as I became a professional tri-athlete that I can appreciate what Jane did and that’s why I’m so awe-inspired. It amazes me the courage and strength she had and the pain she must have endured. I’m a fit, healthy individual and for her to have done the Ironman and all those other challenges – they’re not just tiring physically, but also mentally tiring. Jane must have had mental strength in spades.

What’s your training schedule like?
I like to say I train 24/7 – it’s not just about when you’re exercising, it’s about when you’re resting, recovering and eating properly and getting enough sleep too. It’s devoting your whole life to training your body to be the best that it can be.

In terms of the amount of time I spend exercising, it’s usually about three and a half to six hours a day, seven days a week. At the moment, I’ve got a broken arm - fractured in four or five places because I came off the bike a few weeks ago - but already today I’ve run for an hour and a quarter, I’ve done strength work for 45 minutes and I’m just about to get on the bike again. Having the broken arm is frustrating but I try and see things positively. I’ve had to cancel my Spring Ironman but you just have to deal with it.

What are you plans for this year?
I’m doing a half Ironman in June, an Ironman in July and then two half Ironman’s before the World Championships in Kona. I feel strong and it won’t take long for me to get my fitness back and defend the crown. As long as I work hard.

Can you describe what it’s like crossing the finishing line as World Champion?
It’s a whole mixture of feelings that are so difficult to put into words. Obviously, there’s a huge amount of satisfaction that all the work and the hours you have put in have paid off - it’s really so satisfying that you can get the most out of your body. Then there’s elation, utter joy and a huge amount of relief! It’s a euphoric moment, especially when I have my family on the finish line.

You’re 32 now. Would you like your own family in the future?
I don’t want to combine full-time Ironman training and competing with having a family. I have a long-term boyfriend and although I won’t say I’ll never have children, my heart and soul has to be focussed on the sport for now. You never know what the future holds and there’s so much I want to do in the future as World Champion such as international development work and acting as an ambassador for several foundations. I’d also like to do some kind of James Cracknell-esque endurance challenge, not only because I love that kind of thing but also to raise awareness that women as much as men are really a force to be reckoned with in these kind of events.

What tips would you give someone who is just contemplating doing a triathlon or Ironman?
Join a club so you’ve got a sense of camaraderie. If you can find someone to do it with, it makes it all the more enjoyable and easier to motivate yourself especially in the colder weather. It might also give you access to some kid of coaching.

If you can afford it, get your own coach. Try not to emphasise quantity over quality in your training though – you can achieve a lot in just a few hours if you structure your training properly. Sometimes a sprint takes more out of me than a long distance run.

Don’t let cost put you off. You don’t have to spend the earth to have the necessary equipment such as a bike and you can always beg, steal or borrow kit from other people. Then, if you decide you like it you can invest some more money into your own.

Remember that nutrition and rest are key too – it’s hard to juggle this kind of sport with family and work. But most of all enjoy it. It’s sport at its rawest.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I won’t be a professional athlete any more but I’ll always be involved in sport in some capacity.

And finally, do you think you’ll ever be tempted to have the Ironman tattoo?
Ooooh no, I put myself through enough pain without having the tattoo!

Runner's Blog

VETERAN runner Chris Fay  - who once beat Olympian Ron Hill – has come out of retirement to take part in the Pennine Lancashire 10K on July 11th. Chris, who ran with Blackburn Harriers for 50 years, hopes to inspire others that you’re never too old to take part. The 65-year-old represented Britain in the 1960s and counts among his triumphs beating running legend Ron Hill.

He said: “One of my most well known races is when I broke the six-mile record at the age of 21. Ron Hill and I were both running for Lancashire. He was older than me and I’d been trying to beat him for 12 months. As I passed the finish line someone famously passed me a camera and I turned around and snapped Ron coming in second.”

Chris will be running to support East Lancashire Hospice in memory of his friend and childhood running mentor David Walsh, who was cared for there before his death two years ago.

Back injury forced Chris into retirement two years ago but after the all clear from doctors he decided to sign up for the inaugural Pennine Lancashire 10K, which will take place in his home town of Blackburn.

“I always say the first 100 yards is the hardest, whether you’ve been a runner in the past or are starting for the first time.
“I’ve given myself to Easter to build my general fitness and then I’ve got three months of training for July 11th.
“10K is an ideal distance for everyone to try, it’s not too far if you’ve never run before and if you can’t run it all it’s a distance you can comfortably walk,” he said.

The 2010 Pennine Lancashire 10K, set up with support of Regenerate Pennine Lancashire,  will start and finish from the stunning 480-acre Witton Park, Blackburn. The course will take in the highlights of the historic town centre, passing King George’s Hall, the spectacular Grade II listed Cathedral and over the iconic Wainwright Bridge.
Pennine Lancashire includes the boroughs of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale, and the 10K is an event designed to benefit all these areas and inspire and include people across the communities.

The event partner charities are the Jane Tomlinson Appeal , The Christie, COCO, Derian House and East Lancashire, Pendle and Rossendale hospices.

The Pennine Lancashire 10K also has the support of Yvette Livesey, partner of the late music mogul Tony Wilson. Among the local and national charities to benefit from the event, will be an appeal dedicated to the late music legend Tony Wilson at The Christie hospital where he was treated after developing kidney cancer.

Featured Charity

Be a Daffodil Runner this year…
Get fit, get sponsored and get running.

Marie Curie Cancer Care is the Run For All charity of the month. Join Marie Curie Cancer Care at any run across the UK, no matter how far you run or where, you’ll be helping to raise money for people living with cancer and other terminal illnesses across the UK.

We have guaranteed places in all three Jane Tomlinson runs, and still recruiting own place runners in the new Jane Tomlinson Pennine Lancashire 10k and at the Bupa Great Manchester and Bupa Great North events – so if you have a place, join an amazing team.

The Daffodil Team offers you more than just a cereal bar. You’ll be part of a team that will support you every step of the way with great training advice, a fundraising pack full of useful hints and tips and other goodies to help you to make the most of the event.

New for 2010
This year all our Daffodil Runners get a free Nike running vest – designed by the team based in Europe. It’s 24 per cent lighter then last year’s vests and is made from a specialist fabric, usually only available to the professional running clubs that NIKE supply, to keep runners cool and dry on the course. So not only can you look and run like a pro, but also you’ll be part of an amazing team who can help make a difference to people with terminal cancer.

Marie Curie Nurses work throughout the day and night to provide free nursing care for terminally ill people in the comfort of their own home or in one of the charity’s hospices.   Every £20 raised by Daffodil Runners will provide an hour of Marie Curie nursing care in a patient’s home.

Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/run2010  to see a full programme of events. Or if your already taking part in an event and want to join the team call 08700 340 040.