MUM-OF-TWO Debbie Herd struggled to the finishing line of the gruelling Glasgow 10k run — unaware she was THREE months pregnant.

The business woman, from Blackbyres Road, Dunterlie, couldn’t understand why her weeks of fitness training were not paying off. Together with her sister Sandra and close friends Margaret Queen and Allison Fell they made a pact to take up the challenge of the run after talking endlessly about dieting. Barrhead’s

Debbie, originally of Blackbyres Road, Dunterlie, said: “I had never done anything like this before. But we all agreed to give it a go.

“We soon got into training. I had been in hospital days before and I thought that was why I was struggling towards the end.

“But I was determined to finish because we were doing it for charity. I hadn’t been feeling great after the run.

“About a week later I found out I was pregnant, I can tell you it was a big surprise.” There was other reasons though why Debbie was so keen to complete the Women’s 10k run at Bellahouston Park. She explained: “My husband Derek thought I had no chance of finishing. My best friend Margaret Queen’s husband Gerry bet him £30 quid I would. But Derek said I would cop out. That is how Margaret decided to join me on the run. “Even though I wasn’t great when I was running I just kept thinking that if I stopped they’d think I was making excuses!” Debbie owns the Taylor Jack Hair Salon in Causeyside Street, Paisley where her sister Sandra Guinay works along with friend Allison Fell. When she took over from the franchise from Yours Faithfully she named it after her 18-monthold daughter Taylor and three-year-old son Jack. She quipped: “I think I’ll need to call the new baby Ltd to save changing the name.” Together the four determined women raised an impressive £500 for Quarrier Homes in Bridge of Weir, where Margaret Queen, of Aursbridge Drive, Barrhead, works.