THIS summer will see the first running of the Riverside Runners 10k charity race in St Neots.

Not only will the event mark the 25th anniversary of the Riverside Runners, but it was also raise money for The Hunts Post’s New Life Appeal, which raises money for the special care baby unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

The race, which takes place on Sunday, August 19, is open to everyone – no matter what your ability.

Here, in the second of our series of blogs, we will follow the progress of three women – all workers at Mick George, one of the sponsors of the event, as they prepare for the 10k.

INFORMATION: To enter the event, which is also sponsored by Circle Health and TriSportPlus, go online www.runnersworld.co.uk/events and search for events on August 19.

Meet the Mick George trio.

There’s Victoria George, who is 24-years-old and is a sales account manager. Then there’s Julie Heading, a contracts administrator, who is 23. And finally there’s Jolene Vinn – aged 29 (but 30 in a few weeks!) – who is a PA to Mick George himself, the company managing director.

All three will be running the 10k in August and all three are sharing their pain, frustration and joy with Hunts Post readers as the event draws nearer.

Victoria’s Blog:

Crippled by the kettle

Over the last week I have introduced other forms of exercise into my fitness programme. Kettlebells – an all over toning and fitness class – actually crippled me over the weekend so my only option was to take a long walk not run.

I have also taken the plunge and joined the local gym as the weather does not look like it is going to improve. It may be wet out there but with a gym membership under my belt it won’t be able to put a dampener on my training.

My pi�ce de r�sistance, however, is planned for the weekend… I’m going to attempt my first 10km run. I will let you know how it went next week!

Jolene’s Blog:

Time to get outdoors

I’m beginning to feel like I’m turning into a running machine, but it’s starting to get a bit easier, so that’s a good sign.

I’ve managed two really good training sessions this week, running 5km on Tuesday and 3km on Thursday … admittedly both on the treadmill at the gym so my aim for next week is to start doing more road running. Whilst the gym is great for building up the stamina, there’s nothing quite like running in the fresh air. And of course, the real thing will be outdoors too!

Julie’s Blog:

Pain in the ankle

With the weather being very unpredictable at the moment, I’m finding I can’t really win with my training. It’s either tipping it down with rain, which means I’m soaked before I’ve even got off the drive, or it’s hot and muggy making the run just not enjoyable at all!

However, I am still plodding along, managing two successful and complete runs this week. Although despite my best efforts my time doesn’t seem to be improving; this is worrying me slightly. Having said that, there is a big improvement in the fact that I can at least walk the day after a run, whereas before my ankles would have been in so much pain I’d need to give it a week before I could even think about running again.

I just keep telling myself no pain, no gain and somehow it’s kept me going.