Its been difficult to get out again this week. Having said that the pain after last Saturday did take until Tuesday to ease. I completed my exercises to keep my muscles in tune, this was pure agony I have to admit. Yesterday I managed to get out running, straight onto my front foot and keeping my concentration. It felt good no pain still feeling light and comfortable. Running without headphones or music isn't bothering me like I thought it might, I am now listening to the music my feet make tapping the floor, how about that for a comparison. As I wasn't completely convinced I was still getting the new style right, I decided to go back to the old way to see and feel what the difference really was. Wow it was truly unbelievable, the instant vibration through my feet into my knees was instant and uncomfortable. I knew then I was getting it right, Gary was right not that I doubted him but I never thought that this was possible. A few tweeks here and there and I will be extending the distances back out. At the moment I am doing 3ish miles to get used to this new position I am looking forward to moving up. I need to lift my knees next to the riding a bike position. This is proving a little more difficult as I feel like I am running on the spot, so at the moment I am trying it in spots hopefully this will eventually become second nature. Coming from the run yesterday I am feeling no pain at all so I will assume that although I was in a considerable amount of discomfort last weekend and doing the exercises that Gary gave me it has worked to keep my muscles going. This weeks plan is to be out possibly 3 times with exercise in between with extending my distance on 2 runs. My new toy this week is my cross trainer :-). I have bought this so on icy days I can still move my legs without causing myself any injuries. I'm hoping to buy my barefoot running shoes in the next couple of weeks an early Christmas present. I have picked the pair I want Merrell is a new brand to me, Gary hasn't been wrong yet so I'm sticking with that theory.
Have a good week ahead. Keep on running.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Yet another mad week.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Barefoot running in the park.
It could be the title of a novel. However the truth is that yes I was barefoot running in the park but it was Saturday on an Autumnal, cold and wet day. During the week I had been told by Gary (fitness consultant extraordinaire) to bring my trainers, but I wouldn't be needing them, I felt nervous but had full faith in what Gary was going to be teaching me, the idea of meeting Gary was to try and work on my technique. We met in the car park at Roundhay Park, Gary had just finished the Harewood 10km so for him to give up his time for me was something I really appreciated. We head towards a small grassed area where Gary explains what we will be doing today, to begin with I run at my normal stance and pace around a small area. When asked to describe my running stance and range I just shrugged my shoulders and said "plodding". After I had done my little circuit we chatted about what he wanted me to do next, Step number 1....take off your trainers. Gary instructs me to do the circuit again, I cant believe what happens, as I finish the circuit we discuss what happened. Now you may be wondering what miracle befell me on the wet grass, well plain and simple it was front foot running. I know I know "whats so special about that ?" well for me that has never been able to front foot run it was unbelievable. Gary shows me on my trainers why it has been so difficult for me to run on my front part of my foot. It is down to the heel of my trainer, its too thick, the cushion that we require to keep our feet from impacting on the surface is the very thing that is potentially causing the injuries I run with to be aggravated. Gary shows me how the balance of my body whilst running could be contorting my whole body even to the point of causing a problem with my shoulder. So the conclusion to this is new training shoes, now anyone that knows me will tell you that buying things for myself comes quite low down the list, there is always someone or something that needs it more than me. But this time even I have to admit that maybe it is time to get what I need. Gary then shows me a yoga based exercise for balance, standing on tip toes, lift the knee up and hold for 2seconds, step forward still on tip toes, raise your trailing leg to bring your knee up, hold for 2seconds and step forward. This is repeated over a distance of about 12 feet, now until you give it a go you have no idea how difficult this is, my arms were really aching when I finished the first rep. I rest for a couple of minutes we discuss how this exercise will benefit me in the future, due to the extending of my calves at such a stretch it will mean that when I do run on my front foot I wont be extending that far therefore meaning that I should avoid injury and pain.
We do some strengthening exercises which really test my muscles in my thighs, I can feel the burn in my thighs they feel heavy and jelly like, but Gary won't let me relax just yet. I am working muscles that I would normally use when running but boy oh boy are they hurting now. Then as we get into a press up position Gary asks me to move my left foot next to my left hand....er Gary I don't do flexible....I get it as near as I can, then begin to rotate my hips.....I hope you can get the mental picture of this, because trust me the physical part of doing it was forefront in my mind. Then I need to take my left elbow and run in down the inside of my left leg to try and put my left elbow on the floor, yes you read that right, the floor, so by this time my body is screaming pain, and Gary brings out this gem " my running club guys hate it when I turn up, because I make them do this and they hate it" No you don't say Gary !!!!. So we drop the back leg and relax for a split second then continue with the right leg. By now I can no longer tell my right from my left, my mind is trying to decide whether I should scream in agony or just collapse. We continue with some more stretches this time on the park bench, squats used to fill me with dread as my thighs would just turn to lead. But sitting up and down from a bench was good news for my thighs, " take a step forward and go as low as you can, what I would like to see is your hips below your knees". I don't know if I mentioned this Gary but I am not that flexible !! But it felt good and quite comfortable. You will have noticed that at no point have I mentioned putting my trainers back on, that is simply because working in bare feet is the lightest way to feel what is going on under your feet. It felt good to be in bare feet and working with front foot running, I am really excited about giving it a go in the morning.
Yeah well my intention was to go out, but I hit a major problem, I thought I ached after the GNR boy oh boy it had nothing on this pain. But at least my normal injuries were not hurting I just had a few new ones. I didn't expect this level of pain, but as Gary said I worked muscles pretty hard and it was going to be uncomfortable. Okay so instead of heading out for a run I had a quiet day searching the internet for new training shoes, I spent a mental fortune.
Today was run day, I set off out with my focus on front foot, no headphones, no music just me listening to my feet striking the floor, this was an usual thing for me as I have always run to music, but I have to admit I soon got into stride. It didn't take me long to remember to stay on my front foot, it felt lighter and less effort. I could tell instantly that my not banging my heels into the ground was less painful on just about everything especially my heels,shins, knees and hips. I felt completely at ease and even on the slight uphills I didn't feel out of pace or stride. I was really happy that although it was a short run it was a success and what I set out to achieve had been done. Huge thank you to Gary Butterfield G-Rex fitness you never know Gary the next time you see me I may be able to do the dreaded exercise.....I did only say maybe !.
This weekend marked a year since Anne left. It was a difficult day for many of us. Happy memories of childhood, masked with unbelievable sadness.
I thought about one particular day when I sat in the conservatory shortly before she went back into Wheatfields, she sat and watched her Partner and Mum hanging washing out on the line. I asked her " tell me what you are thinking about ?" Anne replied with a shaky voice " why does it take something like this to make things right ? " I didn't really know how to answer this because I knew what she meant. Why do we wait until it's too late to make amends ? If we know that a situation needs someone to make the first move, then why leave it to the other one. One day you may not have this option and it is too late to make the first move.
We do some strengthening exercises which really test my muscles in my thighs, I can feel the burn in my thighs they feel heavy and jelly like, but Gary won't let me relax just yet. I am working muscles that I would normally use when running but boy oh boy are they hurting now. Then as we get into a press up position Gary asks me to move my left foot next to my left hand....er Gary I don't do flexible....I get it as near as I can, then begin to rotate my hips.....I hope you can get the mental picture of this, because trust me the physical part of doing it was forefront in my mind. Then I need to take my left elbow and run in down the inside of my left leg to try and put my left elbow on the floor, yes you read that right, the floor, so by this time my body is screaming pain, and Gary brings out this gem " my running club guys hate it when I turn up, because I make them do this and they hate it" No you don't say Gary !!!!. So we drop the back leg and relax for a split second then continue with the right leg. By now I can no longer tell my right from my left, my mind is trying to decide whether I should scream in agony or just collapse. We continue with some more stretches this time on the park bench, squats used to fill me with dread as my thighs would just turn to lead. But sitting up and down from a bench was good news for my thighs, " take a step forward and go as low as you can, what I would like to see is your hips below your knees". I don't know if I mentioned this Gary but I am not that flexible !! But it felt good and quite comfortable. You will have noticed that at no point have I mentioned putting my trainers back on, that is simply because working in bare feet is the lightest way to feel what is going on under your feet. It felt good to be in bare feet and working with front foot running, I am really excited about giving it a go in the morning.
Yeah well my intention was to go out, but I hit a major problem, I thought I ached after the GNR boy oh boy it had nothing on this pain. But at least my normal injuries were not hurting I just had a few new ones. I didn't expect this level of pain, but as Gary said I worked muscles pretty hard and it was going to be uncomfortable. Okay so instead of heading out for a run I had a quiet day searching the internet for new training shoes, I spent a mental fortune.
Today was run day, I set off out with my focus on front foot, no headphones, no music just me listening to my feet striking the floor, this was an usual thing for me as I have always run to music, but I have to admit I soon got into stride. It didn't take me long to remember to stay on my front foot, it felt lighter and less effort. I could tell instantly that my not banging my heels into the ground was less painful on just about everything especially my heels,shins, knees and hips. I felt completely at ease and even on the slight uphills I didn't feel out of pace or stride. I was really happy that although it was a short run it was a success and what I set out to achieve had been done. Huge thank you to Gary Butterfield G-Rex fitness you never know Gary the next time you see me I may be able to do the dreaded exercise.....I did only say maybe !.
This weekend marked a year since Anne left. It was a difficult day for many of us. Happy memories of childhood, masked with unbelievable sadness.
I thought about one particular day when I sat in the conservatory shortly before she went back into Wheatfields, she sat and watched her Partner and Mum hanging washing out on the line. I asked her " tell me what you are thinking about ?" Anne replied with a shaky voice " why does it take something like this to make things right ? " I didn't really know how to answer this because I knew what she meant. Why do we wait until it's too late to make amends ? If we know that a situation needs someone to make the first move, then why leave it to the other one. One day you may not have this option and it is too late to make the first move.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Sort of back to it.
Phew its been a busy couple of weeks. I have honed my skills as a carpet layer, decorator and basic style guru. As well as squeezing in work, looking after the little ones, doing the normal running around, my running had to take a back seat for a full week.
Before that though I had eased myself back into running. I think I had seriously under-estimated how sore I was going to be after the GNR, I had a Bowen treatment and it really helped but a few days later I was back to being sore. Some of this comes from having a stand up job, the rest comes from the plain and simple fact that even during the day I don't just sit around I am constantly busy, this causes problems with recovery.
I have also been advised to seek help with my running style to try to avoid aggravating the injuries I run with. However I do have an offer from a trainer to do this, but I simply cannot find the time to squeeze this in but it is something I really need to do. More effort required.
Last weekend both Mark and myself volunteered at the Starlight Hike for Wheatfields at Temple Newsam. Stood in the woodland of Temple Newsam in the thick of night with no ambient lighting was to say the least a little un-nerving. Things falling through the canopy of the woodland, hearing the scurrying feet dashing for whatever it was that fell. The deafening squawking of an Owl on the attack, the squeak from its victim echoed through the pitch black. The constant feeling that something or someone was touching your shoulder was making me a nervous wreck. The crackle of the radios broke the relative quiet of the woodland, the walkers are passing the start line. The event began at 10pm on a dry starlit night, all the walkers looked great in their neon clothing, flashing boppers and fancy dress. We were at marshal point 1,8 & 13, this was due to the figure of 8 that the walkers would walk in, a tight group of walkers arrived at 1km, the next time around they would be at 6km. We tried to guess how long it would take the lead walkers to come back round to us, we estimated that maybe an hour would pass before we saw them again. Around an hour later we see torchlight approaching us, this time the walkers are spaced out. The next time we would see the walkers would be at the 9km, only 1km to the finish. As some walkers appear coming towards the 9km point we are aware that some walkers are still coming through the 6km point. As some walkers pass us at the 9km point they tell us that people are getting lost at the top of the hill and going into the woodland. I decide to walk up to the top of the hill to make sure people are taking the correct path. It seems even darker at the top of the hill and it is clear to see why people have taken the wrong way. The pathway doesn't go all the way to meet the other path and in torchlight alone it was almost impossible to see where the path was. Luckily another set of marshals from the start/finish line have come to take over in a Land Rover with lots of lights, I make my way back down to meet Mark to see the last of the walkers passing the 6km point. As the last of the walkers pass by the marshal points they join the back of the group and walk in, by this point we had been stood around for about 4 hours. A vehicle was heading out to pick Mark and another lady up but the rest of us walked back in together. The welcome sight of the butty van, the lights of the stage, the finish line. The butty van had run out of bacon butties but I couldn't eat a burger at this time of night. It was time for a photo call, all the team of Wheatfields, the Ambulance service, the marshals stood together under the finish line jazz hands a waving. It was an amazing experience to be involved in the walkers were fabulous, high spirited and friendly, the team of Wheatfields again were brilliant, It is something that I/we will be giving our time to again. Had a phone call late last week from one of the fundraisers to say thank you for the help we offered and to let us know that about £30.000 had been raised for the hospice.
It is in this very sad week personally that the appreciation of what Wheatfields offers is the most relevant. A year ago this week Anne had re-entered Wheatfields, this was her dying wish. I remember every single moment of this time a year ago. It will be a very difficult time for so many in our family, Anne was a very strong character and is missed everyday. I know how valued this money raised for them is I would never refuse to help them as it is the very least I can do to say thank you to them.
It may be difficult to motivate myself to run this week, but I shall try and grab some miles. As its only 5 weeks till the Abbey Dash 10km and I would like to beat my previous times.
Before that though I had eased myself back into running. I think I had seriously under-estimated how sore I was going to be after the GNR, I had a Bowen treatment and it really helped but a few days later I was back to being sore. Some of this comes from having a stand up job, the rest comes from the plain and simple fact that even during the day I don't just sit around I am constantly busy, this causes problems with recovery.
I have also been advised to seek help with my running style to try to avoid aggravating the injuries I run with. However I do have an offer from a trainer to do this, but I simply cannot find the time to squeeze this in but it is something I really need to do. More effort required.
Last weekend both Mark and myself volunteered at the Starlight Hike for Wheatfields at Temple Newsam. Stood in the woodland of Temple Newsam in the thick of night with no ambient lighting was to say the least a little un-nerving. Things falling through the canopy of the woodland, hearing the scurrying feet dashing for whatever it was that fell. The deafening squawking of an Owl on the attack, the squeak from its victim echoed through the pitch black. The constant feeling that something or someone was touching your shoulder was making me a nervous wreck. The crackle of the radios broke the relative quiet of the woodland, the walkers are passing the start line. The event began at 10pm on a dry starlit night, all the walkers looked great in their neon clothing, flashing boppers and fancy dress. We were at marshal point 1,8 & 13, this was due to the figure of 8 that the walkers would walk in, a tight group of walkers arrived at 1km, the next time around they would be at 6km. We tried to guess how long it would take the lead walkers to come back round to us, we estimated that maybe an hour would pass before we saw them again. Around an hour later we see torchlight approaching us, this time the walkers are spaced out. The next time we would see the walkers would be at the 9km, only 1km to the finish. As some walkers appear coming towards the 9km point we are aware that some walkers are still coming through the 6km point. As some walkers pass us at the 9km point they tell us that people are getting lost at the top of the hill and going into the woodland. I decide to walk up to the top of the hill to make sure people are taking the correct path. It seems even darker at the top of the hill and it is clear to see why people have taken the wrong way. The pathway doesn't go all the way to meet the other path and in torchlight alone it was almost impossible to see where the path was. Luckily another set of marshals from the start/finish line have come to take over in a Land Rover with lots of lights, I make my way back down to meet Mark to see the last of the walkers passing the 6km point. As the last of the walkers pass by the marshal points they join the back of the group and walk in, by this point we had been stood around for about 4 hours. A vehicle was heading out to pick Mark and another lady up but the rest of us walked back in together. The welcome sight of the butty van, the lights of the stage, the finish line. The butty van had run out of bacon butties but I couldn't eat a burger at this time of night. It was time for a photo call, all the team of Wheatfields, the Ambulance service, the marshals stood together under the finish line jazz hands a waving. It was an amazing experience to be involved in the walkers were fabulous, high spirited and friendly, the team of Wheatfields again were brilliant, It is something that I/we will be giving our time to again. Had a phone call late last week from one of the fundraisers to say thank you for the help we offered and to let us know that about £30.000 had been raised for the hospice.
It is in this very sad week personally that the appreciation of what Wheatfields offers is the most relevant. A year ago this week Anne had re-entered Wheatfields, this was her dying wish. I remember every single moment of this time a year ago. It will be a very difficult time for so many in our family, Anne was a very strong character and is missed everyday. I know how valued this money raised for them is I would never refuse to help them as it is the very least I can do to say thank you to them.
It may be difficult to motivate myself to run this week, but I shall try and grab some miles. As its only 5 weeks till the Abbey Dash 10km and I would like to beat my previous times.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
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
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.
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
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
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
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
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
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.
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