So, on Saturday the 22nd of September, my Tootie Frootie ladies and I shone!
We attempted the Cancer Research UK Shine Walk through London, a Half Marathon, to raise funds for further cancer-related research and to help sufferers and survivors.
Let’s be honest, I am not a preparer for these things… I went on a treadmill a few times and then my exercise bike, but nothing else…
I decided to dedicate this one to my sister-in-law’s mum (Mummo) and my Hubby’s uncle (Mammu) who are undergoing treatment at the moment.
Here we are, 7 eager walkers, loaded with our rucksacks and overnight luggage!
We arrived in London early and checked into our rather luxurious apartment for the night in Mayfair, no less! Shaw House, opposite the Bahamian Embassy with plaques for famous novelists and prime ministers of the past having lived there!
It was raining… and there was no avoiding that we were in for a wet evening, and possibly the whole night!
But at 5PM we set off on our adventure!
So, the atmosphere was pretty electric, even though it rained an awful lot at the beginning. We arrived a little earlier than expected and ate a fortifying burger and chips, then proceeded to find places to shelter until the actual start.
We even got some face painting done with UV crayons that required UV light for the full effects!
There was a large starting arena where the warm-ups, and excitement build up was taking place, before we were allowed to start.
The two hours were rather soggy, and we wondered whether we would be like drowned rats by the end, but thankfully the weather changed and it dried up.
There were several pit stops along the way, where various snacks were given out and water bottles, and there were plentiful Portaloos too. Thing is, no one wants to really use one, so we carried on along and found a Macdonalds! Though they were rather uncharitable, and one branch had totally shut it’s toilet area off, conveniently as the walkers were passing! We passed a smaller one, and waited half an hour to use their disabled loos as they had shut the main ones too! (Rather uncharitable, Maccy-D’s!)
But we were able to really appreciate the beautiful sites of London by night, passing St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, The Globe Theatre, the London Eye, to name a few. Photo opportunities were plentiful too!
A few of us had really built up momentum, up until the toilet break fiasco, where that having to stop for a while meant our legs got a chance to start complaining… and that was 5 miles in, still 8 to go! I must admit to us popping a few ibuprofen pills to ward off the building aches! And we carried on, sometimes arms linked, sometimes separated, but we always got back together and continued through to the end.
It was great walking into the finish arena, as they personally announced every walker’s name, as they walked through, under the finish line, saying Thank You to each of us!
Medals got, official photos taken, it was fab!!! ( Though the watery hot choc was a bit of a disappointment! Still, can’t complain, it was free!)
Having started at 7.39pm, we finished at around 1.10am, (thought the Cancer Research message to me said 1.41am!) with one half an hour pitstop for toilet breaks, and really achy legs!
And here is my medal!
A quick cab ride home, where our cabbie was a trained London Tour guide, peppering our journey with lots of trivia about the sights we were passing, we arrived and toasted ourselves, in our pyjamas, the buzz not rubbing off for a while! Girlie talk meant sleep did not come until 5.30am, and we were awake before 9am.
Showers all round, then we ended up in Henry’s, Mayfair for a lovely celebratory lunch, before heading off home, achy, tired, and content!
And when I finally arrived home, the first thing I did was run a bath…
…before falling asleep for a couple of hours!
Oh, and you may wonder how we did with our fundraising… well, with Gift Aid added, we have raised over £2000!
And there may still be a few more donations to come. Even Cancer Research UK appreciated everything we did!
But there you go, my first official Half Marathon – done! And I feel fantastic! (Tired – but fantastic!)
Oh, and I took some pretty amazing photos of the sights we saw around the areas we walked, so a post will follow with those images soon!
ForgivingConnects
Oct 22, 2018 @ 01:23:17
This is so awesome, Ritu! I really acknowledge you for walking this whole way. And, for cancer support no less. Great.
I’ve run numerous half marathons and even one for peace. You are inspiring how you seemed to have such fun. Lovely to read!
Blessings,
Debbie
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Ritu
Oct 22, 2018 @ 08:31:02
Thank you So much, Debbie.
What better than to spend time with friends whilst raising funds for a noble cause 😍
Win win, I say 💜
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Masha
Oct 16, 2018 @ 13:28:26
Wooohoooo YEAH!!! Congratulations.
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Ritu
Oct 16, 2018 @ 17:29:31
Thanks Masha!
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Debbie Harris
Sep 26, 2018 @ 12:11:11
So impressive Ritu, well done to your team of walkers. 😊
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Ritu
Sep 26, 2018 @ 16:56:43
Thanks Debbie!!!
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dray0308
Sep 26, 2018 @ 01:27:31
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
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Ritu
Sep 26, 2018 @ 06:54:29
Thank you 😍
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Invisibly Me
Sep 25, 2018 @ 23:00:21
Burger, chips & UV crayons – sounds like a good night! Seriously, you all did amazingly and you should be very proud to have participated for such a great cause!! xx
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Ritu
Sep 26, 2018 @ 06:55:31
Thank you so much!!!
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Thewanderingdarlings
Sep 25, 2018 @ 22:35:06
Such s great achievement! Well done! X
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Ritu
Sep 26, 2018 @ 06:55:44
Thank you!!!
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Losing the Plot
Sep 25, 2018 @ 22:02:44
Amazing! Well done all of you xxx
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Ritu
Sep 25, 2018 @ 22:04:28
Thank you xxx
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josypheen
Sep 25, 2018 @ 18:39:20
Woooah! Good work raising so much cash!!
I have been loving the glow-y photos of you on insta, so it’s great to hear the story behind it all!!
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Ritu
Sep 25, 2018 @ 19:33:42
Thank you Josy!!!
It was as a great experience!!!
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Jim
Sep 25, 2018 @ 17:21:05
Good on all ya’ll for doing that. 😉
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Ritu
Sep 25, 2018 @ 19:32:33
Thanks Jim! 🙂
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Anindya
Sep 25, 2018 @ 07:41:14
That was quite a walk you had Ritu….:)…..lovely to read about and experience it through your post……nice pictures…
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Ritu
Sep 25, 2018 @ 08:35:06
It was an experience indeed!
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Snuffy
Sep 25, 2018 @ 05:38:59
I’ve never heard of a nighttime marathon, how cool Ritu! And such a fun way to see the city. I’d have been pretty irked at McD’s too, how rude. Sounds like you had some great support!
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Ritu
Sep 25, 2018 @ 06:47:02
It was a great way to see London!!!
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Dan Antion
Sep 24, 2018 @ 19:55:47
Congratulations on a job well done, for a worthy cause.
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 20:27:50
Thanks Dan 😀
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Erika Kind
Sep 24, 2018 @ 19:50:48
It is amazing what you and your ladies did here. My respect, sis!
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 20:26:57
Thank you sis! I’m very proud of us!!!
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Erika Kind
Sep 25, 2018 @ 19:01:20
Oh, yes, be it!!
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syl65
Sep 24, 2018 @ 16:05:07
The Tootie Footie Gang rocks! That’s awesome for your first half-marathon 💜
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 16:36:32
Thank you Brother!!!
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syl65
Sep 24, 2018 @ 17:04:54
You’re welcome Sister!!!
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Rebecca Moon Ruark
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:08:35
Wow–that’s wonderful and for such a wonderful cause!
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:47:41
Thank you so much Rebecca! It was a fantastic experience!
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trentpmcd
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:03:52
Congrats on your first 1/2 marathon! And on the fund raising you did. Great job!
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:48:38
Thank you Trent!
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Rhonda
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:00:02
Looks like an amazing time, and for such an important cause too! Looking forward to seeing the pics you took along the way 🙂
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:48:20
Thanks Rhonda!
It was fabulous you know, and the atmosphere was wonderful too, despite the rain!
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Jennie
Sep 24, 2018 @ 13:33:20
Woo hoo! And all for a great cause.
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 15:48:56
Thanks Jennie!
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Jennie
Sep 25, 2018 @ 11:28:43
You’re welcome, Ritu.
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TanGental
Sep 24, 2018 @ 12:37:16
Big congrats. Shitty weather but at least you didn’t overheat…
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 12:43:33
There is that! Thanks for the support!!
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willowdot21
Sep 24, 2018 @ 11:02:04
Well done all round sis 💜💜💜
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 12:00:36
Thank you sis!
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willowdot21
Sep 24, 2018 @ 16:37:58
💜
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stevetanham
Sep 24, 2018 @ 08:55:36
What a great thing to do! Well done, Ritu.
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:35:16
Thank you Steve!
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The Story Reading Ape
Sep 24, 2018 @ 08:51:00
WELL DONE, Ritu ❤
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:35:08
Thank you Chris!!!
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Darlene
Sep 24, 2018 @ 08:21:36
Way to go!! Congratulations to you and the Tootie Frootees! BTW I have been to Henry´s Cafe Bar. It´s a funny story I will have to share one day. xo
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 10:34:50
Thank you! You’ll have to tell me!
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lorigreer
Sep 24, 2018 @ 05:40:50
Thank you on behalf of the cancer patients and their families. My young daughter-in-law was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in May 2017. She is still with us inspite of a grim prognosis. Her baby turned two last week. Lori
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 06:56:01
Oh Lori, so sad. I hope her treatment is going well xxx
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lorigreer
Sep 24, 2018 @ 11:22:47
Thank you. xxx
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lorigreer
Sep 24, 2018 @ 21:34:04
Thank you. She does remarkably well for someone with a serious illness.
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 21:57:18
😍
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a mindful traveler
Sep 24, 2018 @ 05:25:58
That’s an awesome effort Ritu, well done lovely. Xx
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 06:55:37
Thanks hun! I still need a days sleep!!!
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a mindful traveler
Sep 24, 2018 @ 07:31:42
I’d need a week ! lol 😂
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Ritu
Sep 24, 2018 @ 07:48:56
😂
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