Feeling Festive with the Kendal Santa Dash

Christmas does seem to get earlier every year in the shops but to me it's not proper Christmas until Advent. However yesterday it was the Christmas light switch on in Kendal with the Santa Dash and lots of entertainment. 

It was a damp, mizzling day which meant a lower turn out for the Santa Dash but my son and I were keen to get going:

Honest he was keen!

After warming up with a local dance troupe the town crier set us off for the dash through the streets of Kendal. There were a few surprised faces from people who obviously weren't expecting a crowd of Santas and reindeer to be on the pavements! My son was much faster than last year and in fact about a third of the way round I gave up trying to run at his pace and went back to my normal steady one...

We went along one side of the river and then went over 2 bridges to end up back at Abbott Hall where Santa's reindeer were waiting to see us:

My son was an amazing 5th whilst I was about 10th but the first lady! We retired to the cafe for a well earned snack:

Then we went back outside where Santa was preparing to board his sleigh whilst Kendal Concert Band played festive tunes:

The magic of it all still gripped my 7 year old:

Then we got into a good position to follow Santa back into town:

The Queen Katherine School samba band led the procession up the road. Then we listened to more music before the big countdown to Santa turning on the lights. By this time my phone battery had gone flat so no more photos... There was a big crowd now despite the damp and there was a huge cheer when the lights went on. So now Christmas shopping can properly begin as we have festive lights!

We ran in aid of Cancer Care so if you want to sponsor my son's fabulous achievement then please pop over here:  

Teaching children to think of others

I am writing this whilst watching BBC Children in Need with my children. Since they have been at school this annual event has really helped them to think about those less fortunate than themselves. My daughter at 10 understands more than her 7 old brother, to him its all about wearing a onesie and buying cakes:

The key to getting children into raising money does seem to be putting fun into the event. My daughter will do things like paint nails and she has run the Race for Life with me 3 times in total:

With the disaster in the Philippines making the headlines on their news as well as the grown up news they have asked me to send a contribution. They know that people their have lost everything except the clothes on their backs. Compared to them we are incredibly well off so I have given what I can afford. 

Tomorrow my son and I are doing the Santa Dash in Kendal in aid of our local Cancer Care charity. It's only about a mile in total but its all about the festive fun and doing our little bit to help, if you want to help us then please click the button below:

How do you get your children to think of others?

Couch to 5 k Progress Report

Well I am now nearly through week 6 of my NHS choices couch to 5 k podcasts. They are really well put together to teach complete novices how to run. There is just enough talking for instruction and motivation with plenty of music to keep you going.

It now seems a long time since week 1 when I found the 60 second runs far too easy! Over the last 2 weeks the podcasts have had me doing things like a 20 minute continuous run or today two lots of 10 minutes. It doesn't even feel all that tough - except when battling against rain or cold winds...

I am now a familiar sight trotting around the roads and paths in Staveley in my luminous pink jacket! There is nearly always someone I know to encourage me on with a comment or even a beep on the horn. The fact I can record and share my progress on MapMyRun and I can see what I have done helps a lot too:

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

The village itself has plenty of beautiful views to inspire me with too. Its just such a shame that when I'm running I can't stop to take a photo... However when I'm on my warm up and cool down legs (or on the now redundant recovery section) I am only walking briskly and can snatch a few photos like these as I go:

Martins Bank 

Staveley Wood Turning Weir

St Margaret's Tower

St James' churchyard

View from Miles without Stiles bridge

I do have to remember that my goal from all this (apart from getting fit) is to raise £100 or more for CancerCare. Here's hoping that by May 18th I can complete the 10k Star Walk run and do my sponsors proud!

If any fitness and sports companies want to help me achieve my goal in return for an advert and plenty of mentions then follow the links up the top to e-mail me or find me on social media!

Christmas Lights

One of the signs that Christmas is getting closer is when the Christmas lights are switched on in shopping areas. For Kendal this took place yesterday and a good crowd always turn up. This year my children and I took part in the first part of the activities by joining in the Santa Dash for Cancer Care and raised over £100! We all had festive costumes and were warmed up by Lakeland Radio for the 3/4 mile dash to K Village:

My Santa outfit!

Children with Yakkers and Dan Beale from Lakeland

 

My daughter shot off at the start and I could only see her at a distance for the next 10 minutes! Luckily my mum was at the finish line to watch us run in:

 

 

It was such a fun atmosphere running through the streets in a Santa suit! Then we escorted Santa and his reindeer back towards the town centre. We left him at Abbott Hall to get a prime spot for the actual switch on. Whilst waiting we saw the cutest ever Christmas puppy:

 

 

Lakeland radio put on entertainment from local acts including Steven Hall who was a finalist in Britain's Got Talent last year. He performed a Christmas routine for us all:

 

 

There wa also singing from winners of our local star search competiton and the school choir of the year. Much to the audience amusement the power went of just as the switch was due to be flicked! Luckily we had our own illuminations:

 

 

It was a fun afternoon and not even a shower of rain dampened our fun. We truly know that it's not long to Christmas now so I'd better start getting organised...