The most amazing day. Part Two.

The road surface is a bit slippy, but it remains dry in the sky. The atmosphere is electric everyone is excited to be under way. As the masses jiggle for position, we settle in for the run ahead, all I can see in front of me are bobbing heads. We go into the Tyne tunnel to the resounding noise of "Oggy Oggy Oggy" with the replies echoing around and bouncing off the walls. To my amazement the Tyne Bridge appeared in front of me, I cannot believe that I am about to run across the Tyne Bridge actually running the Great North Run. As I pass through the concrete pillars of the bridge the rain turned to hailstones slamming across the bridge, making everything very wet indeed the strong gusts and wind chill are making me struggle all I can do is hope that this stops. It does stop but the damage is done, my feet are sodden but the 4 mile marker board is there. The last 4 miles have gone really quickly,  the mass pack has spread out a little bit, I am trying to follow people who I feel I can keep pace with over the next miles. We reach the marker post for halfway in no time at all, my thigh and Achilles feel good, to be honest it felt easier than I expected. But a problem I have never had before is creeping up on me..blisters. The blisters were on the arch of my right foot, so to try and avoid the pain of running on them I tried to run on the outside of my right foot. This led to the obvious happening rubbing on the outside of my foot, well I couldn't run any other way now, so it was time to put up with the pain. I could feel the pain of a blister right underneath my toes on my left foot too, I couldn't alter running style on this one so I had to just put up with it. Miles 8,9 and 10 passed by and the amounts of people stood at the side of the road began to swell. Outside a Sue Ryder shop at the 10 mile point I saw a familiar face stood cheering us on, shaking her tambourine Charlotte from Sue Ryder Wheatfields, it was a real welcome boost at this point. Pushing on towards mile 11 means "The Hill", now I had heard so many things about this Hill some saying it was "like hell", others saying "its nothing just feels a long way". Having never done this course before I could only make my mind up once I was there, but so far the whole run felt uphill so how bad could it be ???. About halfway up the hill my blisters were screaming at me, my hips were now very sore because of the running style I had to now use due to the pain of the blisters. With the amount of runners in front of me it was still difficult to gauge just how steep the Hill was all I could see were the back of peoples heads. I knew it must be getting worse because there were more walkers than ever, I don't have a problem with anyone taking a breather but why do they stay in the middle of the road ?. People at the side of the road were handing out ice pops, sausage rolls, sweets, which at this point was really appreciated. Finally it seemed that the Hill leveled out now I can see the North Sea, now comes the tricky bit for me personally...downhill. My knees don't walk down hill very well let alone run down one after 12 miles. As we came off the bend of the roundabout and began our descent on to the sea front people at the side of the road were shouting encouragement, cheering and clapping. Relatives suddenly seeing their loved ones at this point waving their homemade banners, little ones still wanting high fives, the pain is unbelievable the hill is steep trying to slow down so you don't fall. As I rounded the bottom of the hill the Red Arrows swept along the sea front, it was an amazing feeling to be 1 mile away, the noise from the crowd swelled with the Arrows in the air. The sea front was completely full of people, the Arrows doing their thing out at sea, passing two guys dressed as Iceman and Viper, 800m to go the pain is now taking over me. Has somebody moved the 400m board ? it seems to have taken an age so maybe there isn't one. The sea front has a slight incline, as you hit the top of it the charity tents come into view, in the distance is the 400m board, more importantly the bright blue signs of the finish. The down hill to the finish is awash with people both on the course and supporters, as I approach the countdown boards my thoughts move away from the pain, keep moving don't stop.
I know my Hubby is at the finish...somewhere, as I come down to the ropes for the finish I see him, I cant believe it, I am in real need of a cuddle, but I have to finish, waving frantically and telling him I love him I get to the finish. As I come through the finish I get a phone call its my Hubby, I am trying to hold back my emotions because I don't want him to worry. We agree a meet up point back at the finish as I need to go retrieve my back pack from the baggage bus, of course I need to grab my runpack, medal and tshirt in hand I cant believe it. Now its time to try and keep warm against the gale force winds and driving rain on with the tin foil.
I realize with a horrible clang that the baggage buses are very small in the distance, who thought that after running 13.1 miles it was a good idea to put the buses a mile away DOWNHILL. I thought  as I arrived at the buses that the front buses made lines, but nooooooo, I had to walk up and down the buses to find my baggage bus. Eventually I found my bus, at last dry warm clothes, dry socks and trainers. I work my way up back to where we had arranged to meet. My phone in the meantime had turned itself off due to the lack of battery. Unbeknown to me Marks phone has also run out of battery, we are now in amongst crowds of people and have no idea where each of us are. As I stand and wait for Mark I watch more runners coming over the finish line. One lady breaks down completely she is a survivor of cancer who has just finished the Great North Run. Seeing her made me wish.....I began to feel the emotions that I had kept inside me during the run, come to the surface, once again a meltdown was upon me. I kneel down to compose myself, when a hand touches my back, a marshal asking if I am okay, he helped me to my feet, I told him about the lady I had just seen, he told me that he had cried so many times at the bravery of so many with incredible stories of why they were there. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and pointed at the medal around my neck and said "you are one of them, well done". He turned and went on to see many more finishers. I stood and waited in the pouring rain, and gale force winds wanting now more than ever those arms around me. Eventually I was so cold and wet again that I decided to head for the charity tent, hoping that Mark would eventually meet me there. As I rounded the corner of the tents luckily the Sue Ryder tent was in front of me, as the curtain opened on the tent, who is sat having coffee and biscuits ? In the blink of an eye I am really cross, I have run 13.1 miles walked what felt like the same, got very wet twice, seriously cold and very hungry. But almost immediately I am overcome with sheer happiness that we are re-united, I am handed my coffee and begin to thaw out.
We walk to the car which is on the sea front, the skies are now blue with lovely warm sunshine, I change for a 3rd time into my final set of dry clothes. I also spy conveniently positioned close by a 'buttie van' this will be my next port of call. Many have entered the pub behind us for a refreshing beer or three, but my only focus is coffee and hot food. Before we eat Mark takes a photo of me with my medal and t-shirt, at this point Mark and me have our first hug, I breakdown for the umpteenth time. Mark understands so I can let go completely, everything I had trained for, it was finished, so was that to be the end of my grieving, my complete and utter sadness ? As I composed myself and apologised to Mark...again, the sun was burning my back I felt the heat and it warmed me and I knew I still wasn't alone.

 Sausage,chips and curry sauce is my food of choice, I suppose I really ought to be heading for the sensible option of the noodle van further down the village, but I feel I can let go at this moment. Fully loaded up with our supplies we sit watching the sea in the comfort of the car. A few more tears follow as I receive messages from friends and family. As the traffic subsides we move from our cosy little spot overlooking the sea, it is a feeling I will always hold dear. We leave South Shields, going on roads that only a couple of hours ago I was running in the opposite direction, there are no clues to see that we were even there.
We are heading home after an amazing weekend, full of many laughs, many tears, good company, with my best friend right beside me.
The support from my family and friends has been amazing, putting up with my picky food ways, and no alcohol nights out. Supporting early mornings and early nights, bad moods caused through bad weather and injuries/illness. To the support network at Wheatfields who have been a constant through this journey. To you all I cannot say a big enough thank you that covers how grateful to you all I am. The sponsorship was down to you, I did the thing I love to do. I will run the Great North Run in 2014 for Sue Ryder Wheatfields with the same determination that I did this one, with my Sister right behind me pushing me up the last mile.

This blog is dedicated in loving memory of Anne Eileen Fawcett, Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Partner and Friend. I love and miss you more everyday, but I know you never left me. xx

5/5/55 - 13/10/12

The most amazing day. Part One.

The build up to this event was a really busy time. But I was still really excited, nervous and a little bit scared, I wasn't sure what I was scared of but the mention of the words Great North Run made me feel unwell, after all this was the biggest half marathon. Big name stars, mega athletes, man with a fridge, man with a sink and of course Owld Jarrow Jim...nothing to be nervous about at all.
We set off on Saturday with the weather forecast looking very bad indeed, heavy showers and high winds were forecast for both Gateshead and South Shields.





















But as we all know this can change. This however would turn out to be very accurate.
We were very lucky that two very special friends let us stay with them over the weekend, which was great for me as they live less than 10mins from the start.
On Saturday night we went out for a curry....well when I say we what I actually meant was everyone apart from me had curry. It all smelt lovely, but I knew I had put all this effort so far I wasn't going to pay for it now. Had an early night and did manage some sleep although I woke up an hour before my alarm but I dare not have another hour I was awake so stay awake. At 6 we made our way downstairs, our hosts we very accommodating and even got up with us. Trying to eat my porridge and raisins whilst the radio is playing giving shout outs for the Great North Run was probably not a good combination. Although I was now getting more nervous by the second I did feel oddly calm, but the emotion was beginning to hit me.
On Friday it had been 11 months since Anne had passed away and I really felt it, tears flowed I felt a complete mess.
Mark left to head for South Shields he had been lucky to receive a press pass so had pride of place at the finish line. Now I was alone, but almost ready to go into something that I hadn't done before. As we set off for the start the roads were very quiet, I expected queues of cars loads of people milling around but there was no one. As we neared my drop off point the start line came into view and so did the people. I decided to walk down to the start line, I knew it was quite a way from where I would be beginning, so it gave me time to relax.

It had stopped raining but the surface would remain wet and slippery it was bitterly cold, the wind chill was bringing the temperatures down to Autumnal not Summery. I walked back up the start line towards the baggage buses, all this walking around was making me wish I had finished my porridge, I had packed cereal biscuits and bars to snack on but I didn't want to take on too much fluid. Once I had left my backpack behind I made my way to my enclosure. By this time the crowds had swelled a lot, it was great to watch the people arriving. The 4 soldiers running for Sue Ryder in full kit plus bags, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Santa, Homer & Marge, Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Braveheart and The Stig, to name but a few. The atmosphere was fun but you could feel a tension in the air, single runners like myself retreating into their headphoned world trying to keep calm, old hands just going with the flow. I entered the enclosure to take up my place ready for the hour to tick by. The person who was entertaining the crowds from the front was doing a very good job, talking about fun things and trying to keep all these cold and damp people happy, he had his work cut out. Then in a brief moment, he asked everyone to take a moment to remember why we were there, at this point I had a complete and utter meltdown, the hymn "Abide with me" played as I knelt down with my head against the barrier I needed Mark more than ever, but I was alone. Two very nice people asked if I was okay to which I clearly wasn't but replied accordingly with "yes I'm fine thank you". I put my headphones back in and tried to compose myself.

As it got busier the very big video screens turned to show the wheelchair athletes preparing to go, that meant it was only 30mins to go. The elite women step forward 25mins to go. Then the warm up begins, it was needed most of us had been there for 2 hours even though I had been wearing tracksuit bottoms and a hoody I was still feeling the chill. Now it was time to remove the outer layers to benefit from the warm up. Warm up complete, the elite men were introduced, Kenenisa Bekele, Haile Gebrselassie, Mo Farah the crowd erupted. As the elite men started the race off, the masses assembled behind ready to hit the road. The first of the runners were away, it took 15mins for me to arrive at the start I blew a kiss to heaven in the hope Anne would keep me safe and injury free, but most of all to tell her that I love her as much now as I ever did. So 13.1 miles lay ahead of me, here we go.

The countdown is on.

Well its only days away, I cant believe its come round so quickly.

Over the last 7 days I have dropped down my training to steady 4.8km runs, these feel quite nice but it feels like part of my run is missing.
I have also had my first Bowen treatment, this is to try and loosen my tight muscles. My Achilles tendons are particularly tight, I assumed that this had been caused by my right thigh strain, however it now appears that this problem could be linked to a long standing back problem. I felt the benefit of this treatment immediately, my Achilles didn't hurt I could walk up stairs without pain, the true test would be the following day...run day. I was worried that my thigh problem would begin to signal the end of my running, the strain on my heels was getting worse the pain almost unbearable. However, my run went well and reasonably pain free, especially in my thigh. I am really pleased with the aches and pains that exist due to my back problem seem to have gone, also the pain in my knees has not raised its head. I am having another Bowen session before the weekend I am hopeful that this will see me over the GNR.
My nerves have started to jitter, whilst watching Athletics from Brussels an advert for the GNR came on and I nearly fainted, I still cant believe I am going to be part of this huge event. My fund raising is going really well and it has passed the £600 easily so can it be possible to reach £700 ?.
The support I have received to enable me to do this event has been at times overwhelming.  My Husband for putting up with my incessant moaning about the weather, my aches and pains. Friends and family who have lifted me when the going got tough when the challenge looked too much. For those that have offered us accommodation, resources and their time to help. The understanding that I cant drink, eat this or that, cant stay out late doesn't need explaining but to others its a step too far for what is basically a fun run. To me its so much more, I want to give 110% not only to this event but to any event, I have trained hard, I have sacrificed as have so many around me. To these people this event is a culmination of the faith and time invested in me. To these people I shall toast when I have crossed the finish line on Sunday.

My next update will be after the GNR I shall be posting lots of photos of the day as I go along. It will be a very early start on Sunday but somehow I don't think I will be having much in the way of sleep on Saturday night.

So I thank you one and all for your kind words of support and your very generous donations. If you are reading this and would like to help raise money for Sue Ryder Wheatfields, please follow the link below.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne

Time to kick on

Its been a really good week of training the weather is favourable for running dry and cloudy is my utopia.  Over the last week I have changed my training plan to really extend the distances. I can do 10km comfortably and in a reasonable time ( only my personal goal ) but could I start to break into a 2nd 10km when I am feeling fatigued.  First step up was simply to do 12km a little slower than my 10km pace to see if I could do it.  I have 4 running apps on my phone giving me constant updates on pace, current time and distance.  At 10km I knew that I had just 2km to go, I felt comfortable and knew I could do the bit extra surprisingly on 10km pace. On my rest days I still get out but walk between 7 and 10km depending on how my thigh is feeling. I set the goal of 15km next only 3 more than I have already done but a full 5km more than I have achieved before.  The night before my 15km I used my trusty muscle rub which I cannot live without.  Before setting out used it again, I am nursing a very tight and sore right thigh,  but due to this I have really upset my ruptured achilles tendon on my left foot. I run normally with both achilles tendons tight and sore, but its something I have learnt to deal with but this is really pushing the pain levels. As I approached the 10km marker I was super happy with time and pace now begins the challenge.  11, 12, 13, 14 nearly there and still the only pain I have is in my right thigh and hip I reach my cooldown point very happy and only a little short of full target.  The pain and discomfort caused by my injuries are not causing me any particular problems at the moment but after the 20km pencilled in for the weekend I am ready to reduce the distances ready for the GNR.  I am currently on target for a 2hr 15min event which will blow my mind. Having done other events on the day running can be a little too fast,  so my apps will be running and keeping my pace at what I know is fine.  I have had many sleepless nights lately I am hoping that once I have completed the GNR that sleep may once again visit me. I know I can do it, I know I am capable of doing it,  its the thought of letting all the people who have taken their hard earned money to sponsor me down. My time is not important, only to me, crossing the finish line is what matters. I have trained hard and consistently even through serious illness when I knew I shouldn't be out I did.

The money raised for Wheatfields is a goal I could have only wished for on the day I signed up. At the moment the total raised stands around the £540. Which is down to lovely people who have put faith in me to complete this challenge.  It is also that unfortunately some people will have had their families and friends cared for by Wheatfields. I say unfortunately because when your loved one enters a hospice you understand probably for the first time that life is precious and all too short. I miss my Sister with a breaking heart everyday,  I still can't believe that I can't pick up the phone and talk to her. My Sister Anne was a Daughter, Mother of 2 Nanna of 5 and a Sister to 4 and a partner in life with her soul mate.  I will be forever in debt to Wheatfields for the care, compassion and time they had not only for Anne but her entire family.  The money raised so far is amazing, I was delighted at £350 but to pass the £500 opened a floodgate of emotions. Thank you one and all for the very generous donations to Wheatfields in memory of Anne. 

If you would like to help me, please follow the link below.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne.

Its been a while folks

Well it has been a while since my last blog post. I have been lucky to have a very chilled out and restful holiday in the Canary Islands. Catching up with friends and eating and drinking (not much alcohol) in extreme temperatures was not conducive to the training plan. It was 35 degress at 8.30am which is already too hot to run in for me. Most locals run late evening but that's family time so its out of the question.  However the compensation is that an hour a day swimming meant that I haven't just laid there and put weight on. I am sensible even on holiday if I am eating out in the evening then my food intake during the day is reduced. I eat breakfast no matter what time of day, holiday breakfast consists of croissant,  boiled eggs or beans on toast with a very nice treat of a full english thrown in for good measure.  Dinner either happens or it doesn't dependant on the evening plans. Eating out on a night usually means after 9 o clock which in itself is a no on every level, however its holiday so needs must.  I try not to overindulge when eating out absolutely no pudding is a firm rule of mine if I can't feel full after a main meal then its just tough luck. But I dont snap myself off of any main meals as I enjoy my food its just a case of keeping away from cream based meals.  I don't drink too much alcohol as a rule anyway, age has defined a lack of recovery from hangovers,  so the best way to avoid the hangover is not to drink. Its taken many years to come to this conclusion but since my running is important to me then alcohol has slipped away.  With plenty of swimming and walking I have managed to keep off any problems with weight. My fitness levels don't seem too far out of my control either. 
Having done my first run and not aching or suffering the following day I am back in full training mode. I have also received my race pack from BUPA it made it all very very real. I have read and reread my magazine soaking up what will be an amazing experience. Its only 3 weeks to go and my nerves jangle every time I think of what lays ahead for me.  Seeing pictures of the signage emblazoned on the Tyne bridge just makes my butterflies go mad. I have a plan and I am sticking to it, no changes in food or hydration. My kit is sorted the only thing left is for my legs to carry me all the way to South Shields.

Whilst on holiday I had the amazing news that including gift aid a huge £500+ has been raised by you wonderful people.  It fills me with great pride that people have enough faith in me to sponsor me. If you would like to help me to raise funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields, please follow the link below.
It makes me wonder what Anne would say to this amount of money raised in her memory.  I'm sure she will be with me on the roads of Newcastle she will certainly be in my ears.
Thank you to every single person that has taken the time to help.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne

Cor its a hot one.

We know what summer feels like again its lovely to see and feel wall to wall sunshine always makes you feel better, even if we do nothing but complain.  As a race we are never really satisfied with our lot in life, its never quite just right. However it has got to be said that the lovely weather has made training difficult.  I run at 8.30 in the morning,  this is due to a couple of factors,  school run, breakfast, me not getting my carcass into gear earlier. By this time the temperature is comfortable for running,  however by the time I finish an hour later its almost unbearable to run in. I cannot run during the evening due to work commitments and usually aching feet. So with the school holidays I am hoping to get myself out the door early and be back home by the time I have usually gone out.
The training has gone really well and I am very happy with my distance vs time. These are equalling out and I can and do maintain every km split somewhere around a 6.50/7 min km, which for distance I am very happy with. 
This weekend past the Leeds 10km was held it was a truly giant event 10, 000 runners took part in very hot conditions many achieving PB's. I have decided my future plans are GNR September,  Abbey Dash November,  Leeds half marathon in May 2014 then hopefully if my fitness and willingness to continue hold out York Marathon in October 2014.  This will be the pinnacle for me and may sign me off from such big distances, but we shall see what the future holds after this plan.
My fundraising is going so well I cannot believe that so far a whopping £391 has been very kindly donated to Sue Ryder Wheatfields.  The newspaper article from the Yorkshire Evening Post is now on display on the wall in work, and I get lots more toots and waves and I do wave back.  Thank you to every single person that has sponsored me and wished me luck.

If you would like to help me to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Wheatfields then please sponsor me via the following link every £ counts. Thank you

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineWinterbourne

Its heating up

Well time is passing by and the GNR is only 2 months away. My training is back on track finally but after my illness I am short on my training plan by about 3 weeks which is a huge amount.  However I am really happy with how things have progressed over the last couple of weeks.  My times are levelling off and my distances are increasing. Unfortunately my eating pattern is the slowest thing to return and this means that my energy levels soon run out. The weather has been getting hotter and hotter over the last couple of weeks and this has been tough going.  I am looking forward to the school holidays so I can be out earlier and really smash the distances.  The Leeds 10km is this weekend,  I was hoping to take part but I have decided that this could hamper my training for the GNR. I dont want to pick up any injury that could set me back further, I dont want to push myself too hard and suffer a relapse on the virus.  I am happy and settled with the routine I have and I know it's working for me.
Good luck to all the runners in Leeds this weekend looks like it will be a warm one for you.
Enjoy your week folks and keep smiling.