This story starts a long time ago … in 2004 actually … for some reason someone convinced me it would be a good idea to run the Great North Run. Way back then you payed your money you got your place so once I’d coughed up I was in! I quite foolishly didn’t do any training. I did however finish the 13.1 miles in what is still my best time of 2 hours 32 minutes ish. This was the last year that the Great North Run didn’t have individual timing for all runners so this was based on the time on the clock at the finish minus the time it took me to cross the start line.
In 2005 things changed and you had to enter a ballot in order to earn the priveledge of paying to inflict 13.1 miles of pain on yourself. Once again I didn’t train and to add injury to my list of excuses I broke 2 toes a couple of weeks before in a completely sober falling up the stairs incident! I finished the race, running in aid of Round Table Childrens Wish (raising £173), in 2 hours 46 minutes and 48 seconds. I couldn’t navigate stairs for a couple of weeks without wincing with every step! I believe after completing the event this year I swore I would never do it again, ever, ever ever and so on.
It all happened again in 2006 when I once again ran on behalf of Round Table Childrens Wish (raising £215). This year I actually did train, but not enough by a long way. I just managed to beat my previous years time coming in in a ’stunning’ 2 hours 44 minutes and 12 seconds but still nowhere near my first years time on no training (apparently it is something to do with getting old and fat!). Once again I swore I would never ever ever do it again.
Early in 2009 my Granddad died fairly unexpectedly and instead of flowers a collection was raised for Little Havens Children’s Hospice who help to support children and their families who are not expected to live long enough to experience half of what you or I will. So I entered the ballot for the 2009 Great North Run and managed to win myself a place! Once again I was running but this time it was for Little Havens and for my Granddad, my Nanny and for all the children and families that Little Havens help every year.
Little Havens provides care and support to families with terminally ill children. The hospice allows families to spend time together as a family without the strain of having to care for the ill child. The children get to experience life as fully as possible and the family get to experience their child as fully as possible and in a way that would be impossible in the home. It’s invaluable to the families but provided free by Little Havens who receive little funding from the government and rely on donations and sponsorship like this. Every donation will help make a difference no matter how big or small. If you want to know more have a look at the Little Havens website or just watch one of these videos and you’ll see why Little Havens deserves your support.
The picture above shows Nanny & Granddad on the London eye in December last year when the whole family went to London to celebrate his 80th birthday. Unfortunately this was the last time we were all together but will be a day we will all always remember.
This time round I was going to do it properly. My aim was to beat that illusive best time from my first attempt and go one better. I was hoping to finish the 13.1 mile course in 2 hours 15 minutes which would mean maintaining a pace of around 10 minute miles (6 mph). For the first time ever I actually did train (it would appear still not enough mind you). I started out pushing Caitlin around in her pushchair, this came to an abrupt halt when I pulled something in my back.
Thanks to Lew who fixed me initially and Aiden Robinson @ ITRM who managed to fix my back and many other problems with my body to allow me to continue training. By the time September came around I was comfortably (!) running 5-6 miles a few times a week (I know it is not even half way, but it is better than ever before!) so was confident of finishing but figured that my hopes of a personal best had probably gone out of the window.
Roll on the big day and it is hot. Hot enough in fact for the race to be officially declared a ‘hot race’ but I’m not really sure what this means in real terms! The start and the finish were a bit emotional … I’ve run for charities many times before, but not for personal reasons. This time was for personal reasons and it was hard not to blub at the start and when I collapsed in a heap over the finishing line. Anyway I finally finished in 2 hours 39 minutes and 20 seconds which is an improvement on my previous 2 years times and for the first time ever I didn’t swear I’d never do it again!
Thanks to everyone that got me to the finish including those who sponsored me (Ste & Vic, John & Diane, Phil, Mum & Dad, Ron & Sylvia, Grandma, Nanny, Chris & Sean, Kelly & Sprogs, Dennis), Dad for scooping me up at the finish and getting me home, Aiden & Lew for fixing me initially and permanently! So far I have raised 223.10 (plus gift aid) for Little Havens, if you haven’t sponsored me and would like to you can do so at my justgiving page, every little helps.
