Journal sub-editor Jane Warner tells Lesley Bates about the medal of which she is most proud.

JANE Warner is the first to admit that she is not a woman built for speed. But like the tortoise and the hare, the Race for Life is not purely for the fleet of foot and the svelte of figure.

Women of all shapes, sizes and ages take part and they run, jog, walk or plod round the 5km course with the sole intention of simply doing it and helping to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Jane (39) came across the Race for Life website last year when she was idly surfing the net.

"There were so many fantastic stories on it, I was inspired by it," she recalls.

"I wanted something to do to get fit and it seemed the right way to go about it - raising money for cancer.

"It was a personal challenge for me."

She sent in her entry form and downloaded the ten-week training programme.

"I stuck to it rigidly and it was excellent," says the mother of two.

"I starting off by jogging round the old football pitch at Victoria Park."

Her husband David went out with her when he could and it was he who suggested Jane keep a diary in the run-up to race day on July 6.

Her first entry on April 27 reads: "Really had to work hard. Didn't enjoy it at all but feel I must do it so I won't let myself down. Or other people."

By early May, things were starting to look up and she wrote: "Strange but it felt very good. Found my pace and actually enjoyed it. Had to ask David if we had miscounted because I felt as if I could do more."

Training over the next few weeks had its ups and downs.

"Missed run. Not in the mood," she wrote on May 10, and two days later: "Legs felt like concrete."

May 19 read: "My God, I actually enjoyed that one" followed swiftly by May 20 and "Hated this. Hurt and ache all over."

In early June, she recorded: "Four weeks to go!! Ran - or should I say plodded - two miles today! Feel v. proud of myself."

She built up her stamina and the distance she ran, and collected sponsors in the final weeks of training.

The week before the race is her penultimate entry in the diary: "One week to go. Hope I can do this. Race for Life website has been a total inspiration and even if I end up walking, what does it matter? Want to be there now. Got quite choked up thinking about it. Three more practice runs to go and then D-Day! Bring it on!!"

The day of the race dawned bright and sunny and Salisbury Athletics Track was soon awash with pink t-shirted women.

"I was really nervous when I got there in my big, baggy t-shirt and saw all these lycra lovelies," say Jane, but the anxiety soon passed.

Everyone had a personal reason for being there and on every back was a dedication - testament to how many people's lives are touched by cancer.

"It's very moving - you all feel you are there for the same reason and it's very positive.

"To be honest, some people were walking faster than I was running but that didn't matter - I never thought of giving up.

"Running round the track to the finishing line seemed to go on forever, but once I crossed the line I was totally overwhelmed.

"I don't know if I was crying because I'd done it or the emotion of the whole morning getting to me.

"I did it in 56 minutes and I was so proud of myself.

"If I can do it, anyone can."

She went home and wrote the final entry in her training diary.

"Race Day. I DID IT!!! Absolutely bloody amazing! What a feeling."