Light at the end of the tunnel

Thursday evening saw my last run with Gaz and Frank until Sunday's GNR.  I've really enjoyed the runs around Mossley, Dovestones and Lydgate with them during the challenge.  They are both younger and fitter than me, so their pace is always good to test older legs (mine), and the banter is good too.  On Sunday they are both running for the stroke association, their justgiving site is http://www.justgiving.com/GazDeano - show your appreciation and drop them a donation.

Yesterday at work, I could tell it was payday.  I had Claire, Donna and Brett present me with crisp notes not long after I had switched on my pc.  Leanne & Craig, Phil, Mark, Charlotte and Alex (who used to work with us) a while back all contributed on the justgiving site, so thanks all! It's really competitive at work to get sponsorship, as their is an "Apprentice Challenge" taking place all month to raise as much money for various charities.  One such team is the Credit Review team, based in Southend who have chosen to raise money for JDRF. Headed up by Lauren King, the team were unsure of who to raise money for, and spoke to a friend of mine, Sarah Brown - who's son Ryan has type 1 and I dedicated run 50 to him.  Sarah is providing the team with JDRF/Diabetes Power posters and was influential in them choosing JDRF.  They are selling cakes and treats, conducting a sponsored silence, leg waxing - with consent, I'm told, and a charity raffle.  Good luck team and when you have your photo and justgiving site, I'll promote on here for you!

Louisa Sampson from the JDRF Press Office has arranged for me to be interviewed by BBC Newcastle around 9am, I also have the team JDRF group photo before getting in zone D and running like the wind!

I'm really looking forward to today's run.  On the last leg, I'm phoning home where Carolyn and Jake will then make their way to the bottom of the boat lane so Jake can run the last 200 yards with his Dad.  I'll update the blog to take in run number 99 later this afternoon.

Thursday's run - 7.4 miles
Friday's run - 6.2 miles

Down to the last five...

Run number 95 this evening.  I was joined by Mick, Gaz and Frank and we ran from Uppermill through Greenfield, around Dovestones Reservoir and back up around the Greenfield loop to Uppermill again.  Mick has run the Great North a few times and has managed and owned the local gym for years before moving into the Senior care business.  It was good to go out with a group, and it made me feel pretty well supported, although I was at least 2 or three paces behind the others for most of the run.  I started off feeling nauseous, but hid it from the others, then when we were running back round the Greenfield loop my left ankle started to ache.  It turned out to be just a twinge of something, but I had to see the funny side, given I was telling Mick I'd had no injuries since the challenge started in June.

We got pretty soaked in the downpour on the way back to Uppermill, but we are just preparing ourselves for rain on Sunday if needs be. 

A follow-up story appeared in tonight's Oldham Chronicle, which is good to let people know the challenge is nearly over (i.e I saw the challenge through and didn't just disappear with the free running gear from Helly Hansen).  The story carried a photo taken in July when I have more layers on than a Man City Midfielder, and thankfully the chin has disappeared in real life, as I hoped it would.

My fellow runners this evening: Gaz, Mick and Frank

Thanks Mick, Gaz and Frank for setting the pace and encouraging me all the way tonight.

Yesterday's run - 6.5 miles
Tonight's run - 7.8 miles

Two Fat Ladies

So we reach run 88.  It was an evening run with Gaz and Frank, and we extended it to include both Friezland Lane , Top Mossley and up through Lydgate, heading back down through Greenfield and into Uppermill via the Bridle path.  At the start, I felt sluggish if truth be told.  I dropped back to a comfortable pace, however shot past them post desperate for somewhere to stop for a wee.  A van in the car park of the Farrah's Arms was my salvation, and we ended on 8.6 miles.

We're adding more miles in the run up to the Great North, so I'll be out with them again on Thursday, and with Pat tomorrow night.

Yesterday's run - 6.2 miles
Today's - 8.6 miles

I was thinking today - what am I going to celebrate with?  A glass of fizz? An ice-cold beer?

If I could transport The Diggle Hotel to South Shields, I'd really like one of these:

The challenge reaches national media

As I motor towards that magic number 100, I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some kind support that has been offered in the past week.

First of all, a work colleague, Paul Moult popped over to see me on my first day back in the office on Tuesday, and promptly presented me with a small plastic cup full of coins.  This was the proceeds of a cake sale he arranged on the spot whilst I was away, to test out the public's reaction to his wife Amanda's home-made cupcakes.  Paul brought in the cakes as a dry-run before selling a larger batch on the next extra dress down day they are holding to raise money for the JDRF on 14th September.  Amanda offered a variety of flavours: strawberry candy cake, chocolate orange and flying saucer with crackle candy butter cream.
They all sound very nice and I'd like to thank Amanda for donating the cakes - her website for this sideline is
www.incredible-edibles-rochdale.webeden.co.uk

I'd like to thank Gaz and Frank for another good set of runs, where the pace has been raised, and we'll get to see if this has had any effect on our performance this Sunday when we all will be competing in the Tameside 10K.  I'll be wearing the "Team Pingu" vest, of course.  Gaz had his cast removed today, to be replaced by a splint so he can perform in this Sunday's race and the Great North on the 18th.  I'll be dedicating this Sunday's race to Jane Grove and her Husband, who was recently diagnosed with T1 - more details on Sunday's blog entry.

Gaz, on the last run with that cast...

Many Thanks to Beth Marr at A3 Sports in Liphook, who had sent up a batch of her specially designed t-shirts (which somehow didn't reach me) so she is going to get a couple up to me in time for the GNR.  I'll drop her in something nice when we are down next week for my sister's wedding (getting excited!).

Lastly a big thank-you to Tina Chantrey, who picked up on my challenge and declared me an "Inspirational Runner", and dedicated a page on the challenge in the latest issue of "Running Fitness" magazine.  Thanks Tina - anything to raise awareness of JDRF and Type 1 Diabetes.  My dear old Mum rushed out to get a copy of the magazine and left a lovely message of support, and good old Dad has done a sterling job to spread the word of the challenge, which is very much appreciated.

Weds - 6.2 miles
Thurs - 6.7 miles
Fri - 6.3 miles

Onwards, and indeed upwards...

Running with Gareth and Frank

An evening run today, and it was a faster-pace one at that.  Gareth and Frank are both running with me on the final 100th run, next month's Bupa Great North Run, so this evening's run was a tester for me to keep up with their pace.  I'm sure Frank is half machine, the way he shot up Friezland Lane towards the Bridle path that led us out to Mossley Hollins School and down to Micklehurst, before heading up to Top Mossley, Grasscroft, Greenfield and back to Uppermill.  It felt good to be tested, as when I'm out on my solo runs, it's easy to fall into a comfortable pace, then stay like that until the end of the run.  I led a couple of times, although I wasn't sure if it was adrenalin kicking in on my part or the others had dropped back to make me feel better...Either way it was a really enjoyable run and clocked in at 8 miles.

Thanks to Gareth and Frank for the company and pace setting.  The speed I thought I lost during the runs in the heat in France has returned, along with the fire in my belly!

Yesterday's run - 6.3 miles
Today's run - 8 miles