Bring on the Royal Parks : As recovery from one run ends, the second race is upon us

Well, Ive not blogged since the Great North Run, so I suppose I better start by telling you how it went!

It was hard, very hard, and whilst the rest of the team all did unbelievably well, I unfortunately suffered badly and after only a few miles was left run/walking. Tom, Laura, Dave, Rachel and finally me crossed the line in that order, but after the run, all the talk was over the fact that Laura beat Dave by a whole 9 seconds!!! There's danger of a fight in tomorrows run if it is close at the end of the run.

The Great North Run was absolutely amazing. Never seen such support, such dedication, and so many people. Seeing just how many people were running for good causes was truly inspirational, and some of the reasons were so heartfelt. Two stories in particular really got to me. First off Red 4. It was well publicised at the event but the widow of red 4 (the Red Arrow pilot that passed away a few weeks earlier in a tragic air accident) started the event and then ran the event. Given how soon it was after the tragic death of her husband, it took amazing courage to take part and to launch the foundation in her husbands memory.

The other story that really got me, was a girl that always seemed to be around the same pace as I. She was running for her Mum, who had died only a month or two before the race from cancer. Again, such courage to take part in the memory of someone so close and so soon after her death was incredible and truly inspirational.

So......whats happened since the Great North Run. In all honesty - not much!!! Some of the team doing the second half marathon have done great with their training, others.........haven't! I definitely fall into the second category. Blisters that I got during the Great North Run have resulted in training limited to one training run a couple of days after the first half marathon, and I go into tomorrows half marathon having absolutely no idea how I am going to get round.
But I'm not alone - Jen - has a bad back, Adrian has a black foot from football, and the rest - well I think we are all falling apart.

Even so, really looking forward to tomorrow, I know it will be a great event just like previous years, but this with the knowledge that for every mile completed we are getting closer to completing the 26.2 mile marathon in a month.

If you have supported us along the way, thank you so much. Its not too late to still support if you haven't. We will be in Hyde Park ready to start the Royal Parks Half Marathon at 9.30am so if you would like to come down everyone is welcome. The other possibility is by sponsoring us for the NRAS. We are so close to £6,000 and it would be amazing if we could get there! The link to the charity page is http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/marathoninamonth

Its going to be emotional when its all over, but we are all so chuffed that so many have joined in and so much money has been raised for the NRAS in their 10th year so all thats really left to say is a massive THANK YOU!

To finish todays blog - here's a few photos from the Great North Run. More will be added once the Royal Parks is over, and if you are in the area - look out for those in NRAS vests :-)

Darren, Laura, Dave and Tom

The Boy Band Pose before the Great North Run (with Laura as well obviously!)

Some of the NRAS team that took part in the Great North Run. Including Tom, Laura and Dave.

At the front is Ailsa the founder of the NRAS who was pushed round the course by some of the team in the picture in an amazing time of 3 hours

Darren and Rachel with our Great North Run Medals

So this is it! It all begins now......Thank You!

So here we go - the weekend of the first leg of the marathon in a month.

First off - sad to report that Neil has unfortunately has had to pull out of the event with a torn muscle, but the rest or us are ready - actually scrap that! The rest of us are going to be there - none of us feel ready no matter how much training we have done. All of us are feeling very nervous about what is to come, but all that I read anywhere is what an amazing even this is - so although nervous and not feeling ready, it is tinged with excitement! Honestly!

Loads of good luck messages which have been great, so thank you all, and also thank you so much for all of the money that has been raised. So far we are up to over £5,100 which is absolutely incredible. We've been told of atleast another £200 in promises, so it would be amazing if by the end of the weekend we could get to £5,500, and if not, it would be just as amazing if we could get to it by the end of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which now is only 22 days away ARGH!!!!

For those that are interested - it seems like its going to be live on the BBC for most of the day, so look out for us if you can. Coverage finishes at 1.30 - just about the time Im looking to be crossing the line - so - watch out for the pained ginger crawling over the finish!!

So - off to Newcastle we go in a few hours. Ive just downloaded another 106 running songs. That gives me 207 - 6 hours or so of music - I must be able to finish by the time they run out!!

I was going to announce everyones run numbers so you could look out for us, however, it would appear that atleast one person (Mr Rooney) is very much keeping his number under wraps!! So - if you see a very random blog in the early hours of the morning with just a number on it - you know Ive discovered it ahead of the race. In the mean time - here is two to look out for.

Thanks again for all your support and generosity

Rusty around the edges

So...two weeks ago I came home from five weeks in Thailand where my trainers sat glumly in the bottom of my rucksack and i: partied on a beach, partied on a boat, did anything but run. I followed this by spending a week in London catching up with friends and drinking copious amounts of everything and was subsequently really happy when my skinny jeans fit well. Like really well. And I had a minor victory.

Until today.

In preparation for five weeks from now, I strapped on said shoes and went for a spin around the block. 3.7 wheezing uphill kilometers (2.3 miles) later I stooped over my front door wheezing. And then my legs began to twitch and seize up, which is when I realised that my skinny jeans fit because i've lost nearly all the lovely marathon runner muscle mass in my legs.

but hey, i'm part of a team and we've got a purpose. so my motto for tomorrow is...5 kilometers, 5 kilometers, 5 kilometers. And on sunday, for my last trick...i will attempt 6 miles.

T minus 11 days!

11 days, yep, thats all thats left until the first leg gets underway.
The realisation has well and truly kicked in that in 11 days we will be heaving our bodies around Newcastle and attempting to make it to the coast at South Shields.

The lack of blog activity has been as much about us all being in denial that this is really happening than the time that we have had to write. By not coming on the blog, and writing on the blog, we could avoid the fact that we would be running these half marathons.

Since getting back off holiday, running has improved, Ive managed it through an 8 mile run, and fingers crossed this Sunday I will manage 10 miles, then next Saturday we will be heading up the Newcastle in preparation for Sundays start. For those that fancy watching - its live on BBC1 for most of the day, so you may well see us all crossing the line - in various states of running, walking, rolling, crawling!!

I must thank everyone that has got involved in sponsoring us, We are nearly at our target of £4,800 and with there still being a good 5 weeks till the challenge finishes with the Royal Parks Half in London, it would be great to break the £5,000 barrier. (hint hint if anyone fancies joining the sponsorship)

About a week ago, RA reared its horrible head again for Simone, with a really nasty attack. After a few months when it hadnt been too bad, we came back off holiday and then she had a really significant flare up with lots of pain and stiffness. She went through a day unable to make a cup of tea because I was at work and she couldnt lift the kettle. Its when it gets that bad that every day routine goes out the window and it dawns on you just what a horrendous illness RA is. A visit to hospital and injections and after a few days the flare up started to ease, but it still doesnt hide the fact that every day for Simone is painful. A flare up is just much much worse.

Sort of brings into context why we are doing this, and why the NRAS are so vital with their support network and their research.

So, just a warning - there will be a bit more blog activity now that we are getting close, and dont forget to look out for us on TV!! Time for a short training run I think..........after Dominos gets here that is :-)

Twitter, Illness, Injury and then the NRAS 10k

Well, I've not been on here for a while, and a lots happened recently.

Firstly the blog went crazy when we used twitter to get some extra support. Setting up Simone's blog as a link I blitzed a whole host of celebs, and amazingly got responses.

Retweets from personal heroes of mine Mick McCarthy (the Wolves manager for those that don't know) and Steve Froggatt, were followed by a good luck message from Andi Peters. To finish off an absolute God in my wife's eyes Michael Buble then included a link in his daily online newspaper, and before we knew it the blog had rocketed passed 1000 views all over the world - which has been brilliant in spreading the word. Now all we need is a bit of sponsorship to back it up!! (hint hint)

The last few weeks however, have been very tough, with a cough and cold that has made running very difficult due to breathing difficulties - especially coping with asthma as well. Added to that has been a tight calf and because of that absolutely no training for three weeks. Last Sunday I was determined to go for a jog to get back into it - after all, it was only 10 weeks to go at the time till the first of the half marathons.

It just happened that last Sunday was the NRAS 10k near to High Wycombe, and the idea that if I took part in a race I would have no choice but to complete, meant that I thought what the hell! It was described as an undulating course - not quite what I would call it. Hooves, bleating and horns would have suited the run better - yes that's right - a Mountain Goat would have stood a much better chance. Over 600 feet were climbed, but what goes up also has to come down! At times the hills were so steep I couldn't actually walk up them and had to hang on to trees!!! Although there was a fair amount of running, I have to confess there was a bit (ahem!) of walking too leading to the worst time ever for a 10k at 1 hour 30. The biggest surprise however - finishing and being told I wasn't last.
http://www.adidas.com/com/micoach/WorkoutDetails.aspx?WID=42f8e5d4-fda3-4fa5-825f-60fc3fa063dc
is the link to my run from micoach - shows just how hilly it was! I have to say though - amazingly picturesque course, really well organised event and lots of fun and support- would highly recommend anyone to take part (but maybe get some hill training in first)

The real highlight of the day, was that after being involved with raising money for the NRAS for a few years I finally got to meet the team that do such an amazing job at the NRAS. It was really nice to finally put faces to names and have a chat with them all, and I'm looking forward to seeing them all at the Great North Run, especially as the founder of the NRAS Ailsa (see pics below) is taking part as well in her wheel chair with a team of helpers. Should be an amazing day.

Thought I'd attach a couple of photos to finish the blog, and if anything the 10k has spurred me on again - time to get full on into the training. 30 minutes on Saturday, and a simple (ahem) 1 hour 35 to do on Sunday - lovely!!

Some of the amazing NRAS team (plus me!)

Olly, me, Ailsa, Emma, Val, Tracey

Yes that really is me - all alone on the finishing straight! (but not last - just!)

Thank you Mr Davies - for finding my motivation

Well, over the last couple of weeks I've really struggled. The runs I have been on have been difficult, painful, and if I'm perfectly honest, I have so many doubts creeping in about how on earth I'm going to firstly make it round one half marathon course, and then manage to recover, re-motivate myself, get over any injury niggles and three weeks later do the second half marathon, that I really think I have probably bitten off much more than I can chew.

But then, I see something today on the news that makes me realise just how important it is for charities such as the NRAS to keep spreading the word on debilitating conditions and make sure that everyone knows and realises how important it is to support people with conditions such as RA. MP Philip Davies has shown exactly how ignorant people can be of those with disabilities and exactly why charities need to continue to support and educate people.

Mr Davies has come out today and informed everyone that vulnerable jobseekers including those that are disabled should be willing to accept lower wages (lower than the minimum wage) so that they can work. So, instead of promoting the need for better understanding within businesses of disabilities etc, it appears people with disabilities, whether they be metal or physical, should just accept that they are likely to be discriminated against and therefore cut their value so that they can work.

As well as supporting RA sufferers and their families and setting up a fantastic support network, the NRAS are also involved in lobbying parliament, for fairer terms for the disabled, for lower or free prescriptions for those with lifelong illnesses. The sponsorship that you guys are giving helps the NRAS in so many ways, and the comments by Mr Davies today have helped me to re-find my motivation. To rediscover the reasons why I put myself through this and to help stop the ignorance that exists towards RA sufferers.

So Mr Davies - thank you for your total ignorance, you've helped me find my motivation to really step up the training and spread the word far and wide.

And it begins, again

Well, this constitutes my first post on the marathon in a month blog. Hello!

Let me introduce myself; I'm Jen, one of Simone's colleagues, and a 'i get points for trying' kind of runner. I'm not meant for running, really--i've got collapsed arches, wonky knees and a weekly hot date where I get manhandled by my physio. I trained for, then ran the London Marathon this year and then swiftly, promptly, quickly tried to bury the hitting the wall feeling of the last six miles by not running for the past two months.

The relaxing, sleeping in and copious amounts of wine tippling have been glorious, but i've been vowing to get my nine toenailed feet back into my asics for the past three weeks (what they don't tell you about long distance running tip #1: you may lose (several) toenails). And on Tuesday, it happened. I wheezed my way around crouch end, hornsey and up the neverending slightly sloping hill of finsbury park for a 4.2 mile run. I'm back!

As my first test of endurance, i've signed up for the Battersea Park Boutique Run 10k on 9 July. I will, hopefully, at this point, have already completed far longer than a 10k, but regardless check it out here: boutique run.

And if i'm feeling extra ambitious, I may follow this with the British 10k through Central London the next morning on 10 July. Note: the course does take you through some of the nicer bits of the london marathon route. Find info here: british 10k.

anyone interested?

Picture Time

Well over the last couple of weeks I've failed miserably to set up a slideshow gadget on the side of the blog, so instead, thought I'd post a blog with them in so you can see just what we have been up to in the past!!

Adrian and Darren - Sports Relief 6 miles 2010

Adrian - Bristol Half Marathon 2010

Darren - Royal Parks Half Marathon 2008

Dave and Darren Royal Parks Half Marathon 2010

A famous monument on the Royal Parks Route

Dave and Laura Greenwich 10K 2010

Dave and Laura Surveying the slopes of Greenwich

Jen - Edinburgh Marathon 2010

Jen - London Marathon 2011

Rachel and Neil Bristol Half Marathon 2010

Rachel Bristol Half Marathon 2010

Rachel Race for Life 10K 2010

So there you go - just a few pics of what we all look like. Im sure there will be more pictures emerge over time!!

Back to training

Well Tewkesbury half is complete and now onto training for London tewkesbury was a really good run starting in the town and moving out into the country side the run was going really really well with my pace owing as planned with 3 miles to go for some reason I sprung a nose bleed which is never good while running but I kept my head down and continued to power through while throwing water into my face to try and clear it. With a mile and half to go my legs were wanting to stop but knowing I was nearly there I upped my pace slightly. I turned the final corner and sprinted the last 150meters smashing my personal best by over 6 minutes bringing my new official pb to 1 hour 59 mins and 16 seconds so this has set my bar even higher than planned now the idea is to really hit the training hard try and get a stone of weight off and work on building up my core strength. The plan is to be doing a couple of 6 mile runs each week along with a Sunday morn run of at least 10 miles if I want to beat my pb again then I am really going to have to pile the miles in. I want to get into the mid 1 50s for London so bring on the pain.

And the team is complete

Well that's it - all you eager people itching to join us in our marathon in a month quest (I know you were all secretly queueing up even if you weren't openly volunteering!), I'm afraid its over - we now have taken the final Royal Parks place for the NRAS. So welcome to the team Jen Avila, a workmate of my wife, who managed to make it successfully round the London Marathon Course this year in aid of Shelter.

So a team of 25 are taking part in the Great North Run and 10 in the Royal Parks Half Marathon for the NRAS. And of those, the marathon in a month team have managed to get 6 places for each run, with 9 of us taking part. Our final target is set at £4,800. Please post these blogs wherever you can, and let people know about the blog, the virginmoneygiving page (link at top and bottom of the page) and exactly what a stupidly ridiculous challenge we are trying to complete.

To highlight the stupidity of the situation, I include below a picture of my celebrity body double! Just think how hard it would be to heave that mass round two half marathons! (Pleasant isn't it)

So please, spread the word, and if any of you can spare even a pound towards the cause - we would all be very thankful