I'm melting......warm and toasty in Cambridge...

[Madge50]

Here's an idea, book a run on the hottest day of the year so far, make it bang in the middle of the day and have a car chase you down.........yay! What's not to like 😄 oh and just to kill your calf muscles, add a lovely hill right at the start......(cambridge is NOT flat)

This was the Wings For Life World Run, 12.00 start in Cambridge (and all over the world) with the car coming to catch you driven by David Coulthard.

100km course (yeah right) car starts slowly 30 mins after start then speeds up every hour until all runners are caught.  Originally I was aiming at 9-10k, but given the heat made it to 7.5, which I'm very happy with.  It was great fun, would definitely recommend it - would have preferred it a bit cooler, but that has boosted my confidence in my ability to run in the heat - I was very scared of that.  

Great support on the route, went round cambridge City centre then out to villages, where some absolutely fantastic people got hose pipes out and made showers for the runners coming through, absolute stars! 

Here in the hot UK, the winning female did over 50k and the male over 60k - I think they are robots....running for 3-4 hours.....wow!

The t-shirt is so bright Tim Peake can probably see it 😄, we're now going to fire up the barbecue and have a few sherbets.

Lovely day, happy running all 😊

Mx

If you want to see what it was like watch this bit of vid:

cambridge-news.co.uk/WATCH-...

[catchmeifucan]

Well done Madge, hope you're enjoying the barbecue!

[Hidden]

Great run Madge and a very hot day , love the top ☺enjoy the bbq and sherbet 

[AncientMum Graduate]

Oh Madge, this is my absolute fantasy race. I was going to enter before I had all the lung lurgy. Very well done on getting as far as you did on such a hot day- I can't believe people were running for 50-60k in this heat!!

I love the t-shirt and I'm so very jealous that I'll definitely have to do it next year to get one too. Well done on a brilliant effort on a hot hot day. Enjoy your sherbet! x

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks AM, entries are already open for next year.........

Mx

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Really??? Is it in Cambridge again?

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Looks like it.....mmmmmmmm......... tempted....very tempted.....

Mx

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Madge50]

What do you reckon Curlygurly2 ? Shall we enter and keep Madge company next year?

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Well AM and Curlygurly2  , it just so happens........I'm already in for next year...☺️......so you have to! 

Mx

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Yay!!! Just the push I needed! I'll get on to it tonight after work

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Ok Madge and Curlygurly2  , I've signed up. Looks like we've got the makings of a c25k team

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Oh yes! 😄 BoPeep9009  you in? , how about  you Bobalong  ? And you millwalki8  ? And useitorloseit  ? 

Mx

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Hi Madge! You're quite right, the whole enormity takes a while to sink in! What I really love is that because of Red Bull's absolutely committed genuine understanding of sponsorship, the entire entrance fee from every participant is a real and proper donation to a research cause which I support because anybody can find themselves with a spinal cord injury at any moment. An awkward slip, an attack, a tumble from a bicycle or a horse. Just a moment and a life changed forever. 

So, since you've asked and although I was setting my heart on Spain for next year, I will register 100% YES the minute my next salary hits the bank! Even if I can't get there I know my entrance fee is destined to be well spent. It's also a strong lure to have a chance to join in this special event with you lovely folks! If, at the last minute, I decide to choose Spain, we'll still be running together!!! (The global certificate thing is FAB isn't it...I totally agree with you!)

That's it then ... Everybody??? We're in! Game on! Everybody is a winner in this race aren't they Madge, another totally beautiful feature! 

Delighted to hear D.C. gave you that attention, it's just brilliant isn't it!

All excited now, off to hunt down aNother half marathon plan then

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Hello AM ... Takes "that" race to knock me out of the woodwork and onto a post! Not sure I like the sound of your lung lurgy; hope you're mended now and 2017 will be your year to run that chaser car right out of petrol! xx 

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

Bo!! Bo!! *AM waves frantically* How the hell are you?  Haven't heard from you in ages? Might have guessed this race would tempt you to post again! 

Have had much more than my fair share of asthma and chest infections since January, but I'm hoping this last lot of steroids has knocked it on the head. 

I am so going to do this race next year with Madge50  and hopefully Curlygurly2  . Maybe Vixchile  will be able to join us too if she's resettled in the UK by then. I know she really liked the look of it. What about you, Bo? xx

Edit: I've signed up

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Hello you! Yeah, think I've been luckier than you healthwise at least. Last I heard you were healing a dreadfully nasty ankle and foot crack smash bash ... Hadn't budgeted for infections ... May those heavy drugs banish the bugs asap cos you've got some serious training to do to get to 50kms in 4 hours before 12 months have passed! xx PS. Just told Madge I'm in too yippeeeee  

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

LIKE! LIKE! LIKE! LIKE! LIKE!

Brilliant news Bo, just brilliant! So glad you've managed to stay healthy. Now you know why my profile picture is a 1979s car-  I'm permanently off the road in need of repairs  XX

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Yes and I've always thought that was VERY clever and witty of you! Not the being off the road bit but the analogy. You'll be fine now --- the law of averages says so xx 

[farawaytree74 Graduate]

Wew sounds like great fun. A great achievement in this heat. Enjoy your well deserved Barbie! 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Well done sound like a great fun idea.  It was hot out there today. I'm on my second massive mug of tea.  3+ hours of heat i will sleep well tonight.   If i get hydrated enough there might be wine tonight.😀🍷.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks RFC, sounds like a plan.........

Mx

[B0bP Graduate]

Well done,  that does sound like a fun race.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to B0bP]

Yes it was, they also had a live feed of the whole thing around the world, there's some woman in Japan still going I think, she beat the record of over 60k, and was still 5-10k infront of the catcher car.........madness!

Mx

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Well done Madge, what a fantastic idea for an event! Not heard of that before! Sounds like you put in a performance to be proud of too🙂

[poppypug Graduate]

Brilliant Madge ! Well done you, a fantastic effort on a very very hot day

Love the T shirt and Bling, you've earned those sherberts for sure ! xxx

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks pops, and there was enough red bull to keep you going to the moon and back! 

Mx

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

*very quietly (so as not to sabotage Madge's post) "Hello Pops!" xx 

[poppypug Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

Woo Hoo ! How are you ? Where've you been ? What you been up to ? Long time ,no "speak " my friend  

Sorry Madge xxx

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

No worries pops, 😄, it's like an old gang reunion, the more the merrier! 😄

Mx

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Hi Pops (Lady Mentor)!!! I know, sorry, no excuses, just busy and bits of techno gear have broken; a laptop, a phone, another was stolen and thus I just settled down to Greek homework and reading crime novels!!!

No news, happy to report all seems 'normal' on the Eastern Med Front, so to speak ( not intended as  bonafide political news bulletin) which suits me fine.

There's no sea there but do you fancy Cambridge this time next year? Or Spain? 

Trust you're superfine and dandy xx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

Lovely to hear from you Bo ! Its always good to see your lovely face on your avatar

Yah Boo ! to whoever nicked your stuff , cheeky gits !

Ive not really decided what to do next year yet. I love having a goal, but funds are a bit low at the moment , so I am just going to go with the flow and see what I can manage. But , never say never ! xxx

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Ha you are funny Pops! But yeah, really annoying, it's the photos. Never mind, Prodigal Son donated his scabby iPad that's only fit for me lol! 

Yes, I totally understand the cash flow issues ... It's justifiable as Health and Vitality Tourism ... Possibly tax deductible considering the potential savings to the NHS!

Quite right tho, never say never! It's a goodie this one, you know it! 

Big kiss for now, gotta dash xx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

You too ! Take care, speak soon

Mwah ! Mwah ! xxx

[Noaky12 Graduate]

Well done Madge! Sounds like a great run even in the heat of the day!! Lovin the tshirt too.

Enjoy the bbq & sherberts. You definately deserve em x

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Noaky12]

Thanks Noaky, I think there will be several on show at next weeks parkrun, quite a few parkrun regulars there.

Mx

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Great run in the heat.  Sounds like an interesting idea - never heard of a race like that before.  Will have to see if I have one locally.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Madge, I'm so chuffed for you, I watched it live here in Frogland, searched for you and Rick too and saw what you did. You did amazingly, don't know how you even got to the start, it was so crowded! Fab stuff Mary, big congrats and a hug from me for Rick, you must be buzzing!

yes, maybe next year...

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Hey Sarah, thanks very much, (big hug) Rick is nursing a sore leg, so was really pleased with what he got - we're about to look at registering for next year........there was a point in the starting pen that it got really hot, we were huddled in 30 mins before the start, but otherwise OK

Hope you're doing OK, 

Mx

[aliboo70]

Sounds like a great experience madge, we looked at this but it was too close to going to Manchester,  would be nice to go back to Cambridge I was born in Newmarket but haven't been there  since I was tiny! Maybe next year!congratulations on your run on such a hot  day!😊

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo, registration is open for next year, May 7th, Cambridge.......just in case.........😄

Mx

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Come on Ali, you know you want to

[aliboo70 in reply to AncientMum]

Paul definitely was keen on it, it does look like fun!

[Digger74 Graduate]

Maybe next year then - surely it won't be this hot again...!

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Digger74]

Yes, do it, do it, do it, quite amazing to be part of something so big......just one click away......and no, I'm sure it won't be this hot next year, we'd have preferred to have been at the Spanish venue, it was raining apparently!

Mx

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

Brilliant. Well done. Enjoy the sherbets😅

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Thanks go on, yep, doing that right now......😀

Mx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Sounds amazing! Go youx

[bebabeba Graduate]

Had to give that a Google as had never heard of that one. Sounds great fun,  well done! 

[Jaxsy_runs]

Congratulations, lovely t-shirt too😊

[BoPeep9009 Graduate]

Hello Madge50!

Just wanted to pop up and say HELLO and well done you for being part of the WFL race yesterday. I haven't joined in on the forum for ages but had a look today to see if there was someone waxing lyrical about this aMazing event and here you are!

Hope you gave D.C. a good run for his money as he approached! Did he call out congrats to you as he passed?

Last year at Silverstone was brilliant, I loved every single minute ... In contrast to your day, we were soaked to the skin prior to being boiled alive! 

I had to content myself with following the whole thing on the live feed yesterday while painting the kitchen cupboards! 

Rather fancy Spain for next year! I'm thinking of trying to manage alternate years, new venue each time. Anyway, well done you and for signing up for next year ... 50kms in your sightline now???

We ran for those that can't! 

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

Hi Bopeep! (Waves), oh, it was brilliant! I don't think it really sunk in until afterwards just how great and worldwide this event is.  Yes, DC did wave and call out as he went past.  The results (as you may know) have ALL participants in, so you can see who finished near you everywhere in the world.  I've actually just printed off my certificate - how great is that? 😊

I don't think I'll be worrying any of the marathoners anytime soon, but I've got a base to try and improve on for next year....😄

I hope they keep it at or near Cambridge, they've certainly got the capacity, there were just over 2000 runners, the Cambridge half marathon took 7000 this year, so plenty of room for it to grow.  Apparently, Silverstone was a bit too hilly for the wheelchairs, so they were looking for somewhere a bit flatter.....(just a couple of 'hills' to contend with on this course 😄)

I did feel a bit emotional at the begining, that thing about 'running for those who can't' , gives you a kick up the bum doesn't it, how lucky am I, to be currently in good health and able, get on with it! 😊

Hope you do it again, can't tempt you for Cambridge next year then?.........

Mx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Sounds like a fantastic event Madge...

Well done on the 7 5k in that heat.😅😨

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you very much 😄

Mx

[Jillyrich]

Massive congratulations to you! My sister also ran in this and said it was really good fun with an amazing atmosphere!  Such a great idea for raising money, completely different to anything else. The organisation behind it must have been phenomenal. 

Hope you enjoyed your BBQ and your sherbets, really well earned!

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Jillyrich]

Thanks Jilly, hope your sister did OK, I think it's taken a while to sink in just how fab an event it was. I've already booked in for next year 😄

We did have a nice barbie, and a bit of fizz, thanks again

Mx