The London Winter 10k is just round the corner

Race feature: Run247's Supermum Cally has signed up to the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run - Sunday, February 1, 2015

I recently read that you know you’re a runner when you are in the car and you see someone running and wish that you could be running too... I can relate to that. Whilst out in the blustery winds battering Essex this weekend, I started to think about the reverse: My planned route was ten miles. What if a friend was passing in their car and saw me and stopped and offered me a lift? Having considered it on and off between miles six and nine, I decided that actually, no, I wouldn’t accept. I had planned to run 10 miles and (injury aside), I would run 10 miles, even if they were slower than I would have liked. So, am I a runner then?

Well, I’m still planning on ‘running’ the London Winter 10k in just three weeks time, although I suspect that “Map My Run” would call it more of a jog. Luckily, I also read that if you get upset my being called a jogger then you are not, you are a runner.

Whilst I am admittedly envious of those out running when I am not, I also find myself thinking back to that time before children. The time when I could go out for a four hour marathon training run, with no one but myself to think of.

With two young children relying on me heavily still, I have to choose my races carefully. I have to find that balance of races that will keep me focussed and give me a goal to train for, versus races that are not going to require four hours of my time every Sunday. The London Winter 10k definitely fulfils this requirement and I’m hoping that my children will also enjoy coming to see me that day (especially with the costume I have planned). If you want to join me (and thousands of others) on the start line for the London Winter 10k, there is still time to enter at winterrunseries.co.uk/events/london-winter-run, although you’d better be quick as entries close at Midnight on Monday January 19th 2015, or sooner if full.

Of course the other benefit of entering the London Winter 10k is the opportunity to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated. It pioneers research into over 200 cancers, to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. The generosity of its supporters has enabled the charity to lead the world in discovering and developing newer, kinder treatments and get closer to cures.

The thought of raising money for such an amazing charity definitely encouraged me to maintain my training plan throughout the Christmas period, although unfortunately without my running buddies. With us all having families of our own, trying to synchronise times that we could all escape was more than any of us could face, so during my December runs I was heavily dependent on my iPod for company. One of my favourite lyrics, which, if I’m lucky with the shuffle, picks me up when my legs start to feel heavy, goes like this:

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive

It succinctly sums up how I feel as a mum who runs. I have to make the most of the times that I can get out, when someone else has to look after my children. When I know that I can’t slow down or I won’t be back in time…..

If you want to sponsor Cally and her running buddies in the London Winter Run, please visit their fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/runsupermums