My sister's Wedding

After completing run number 91 on Friday morning, we set off for Liphook, the village where I grew up, in anticipation of my sister's wedding which was taking place in Guildford on Saturday.  Mum and Dad were very complimentary about the achievement so far, also how my body is looking in good nick, thanks to the increase in exercise. 

I knew Saturday was going to be busy - Not only did Mum and Dad have Myself, Carolyn and Jake staying over, but also Lucy on the eve of her wedding.  I set off for the morning run around 6:30am and did a 7 mile loop over through Hammer, Lynchmere, Highfield Close, back into Liphook via the Station, Old Portsmouth Road, Longmoor Road and The Avenue and onto Headley Road.  The role of "master of ceremonies" entailed a few jobs, some I knew about, others were a bit spontaneous, but I did my duty and all went to plan.

I chose a reading by Simon Armitage, entitled, "Let me put it this way", which I think went down well:

"Let me put it this way:
if you came to lay
your sleeping head
against my arm or sleeve,
and if my arm went dead,
or if I had to take my leave
at midnight, I should rather
cleave it from the joint or seam
than make a scene
or bring you round.
There,
how does that sound?"

I woke up in the hotel this morning with a slightly fuzzy head, however hopped out of bed and got my gear on for a run wherever the roads would take me.  A place called "Bowlhead Green" was my destination from the venue in Churt.  I kept running until the GPS read "3.3 miles" then turned on my heels and ran back the way I came. 

Bowlhead Green

I twice passed a lovely looking pub (well, nearly as nice as The Diggle Hotel) in a village called Thursley - I may call in the next time we are down this way.

Three Horseshoes, Thursley

I met family and friends last night who I haven't met in years, all of who were very encouraging about the challenge  - thanks to everyone I spoke to who either shook my hand or kissed me on the cheek (and pushed money into my hand for the JDRF) It was a day and night to remember.

I'm dedicating today's run to Lucy and Mike xxx

Friday's run - 6.3 miles
Saturday's run - 7.0 miles
Today's run - 6.7 miles

Down to the last 10

At work today I was asked by a colleague "How many runs have you done now?" It felt good to say, "90, just 10 left to do..." I was taken back to June when I was looking back on having run the first ten, but feeling overwhelmed by the thought of having to do it again for the next 90 days.

Last night was quite possibly the worse weather I've been out in since the challenge got under way.  It wasn't just a drop of rain.  It was hardened, northern rain, pelting down on my soft, southern skin.  I met Pat at the foot of the boat lane and we trotted up towards Brun Reservoir.  It may have been the effects of all this running, or the increased urgency in knowing a thunderstorm was brewing, but our pace was quick and sprightly for an evening run.

As we ran across the skyline (see below) looking down onto Castleshaw, we were blown all over the shop, and the wind was flicking up water from the reservoir below which made the run a bit more exciting, if somewhat more wet on top of the driving rain.  We were asked directions by some hikers who were walking the Pennine Way.  "Diglea is that way" we shouted above the rain.  I hope they weren't camping.

We got back, soaked to the skin, but feeling like we could do all 8 miles again - in worse weather.  That's the feeling you get at the end of a run - a real high - and it's legal!

I have planned my next 4 runs in advance due to Saturday being my dear sister's wedding.  I'm looking forward to meeting up with friends and family, and getting down to 94 runs by the time we are back home.

I finally got the hang of twitter, after some expert tuition from my sister Lucy and JDRF's Press Officer Louisa. My "handle" is 100runs4jdrf  I got a "RT" (re-tweet) from Iwan Thomas this morning, which helps spread the word of the challenge and awareness of Type-1.  I think I'll pester Paula Radcliffe next.

Yesterday's run - 8.1 miles
Today's run - 6.2 miles

Today's run is dedicated to Claudia Allison

It's time to say farewell to Liphook and head back north this morning, via Bedfordshire to pick up Carolyn.  We've had a good time away and it's been great catching up with my family, my sister, her partner and my niece, Grace.  Whilst I was down, I met up with some of my oldest mates in London on Saturday evening, they were full of encouragement and wanting to know all about the challenge.  I logged onto the Justgiving site yesterday to see that Nick and Tom have donated £120 which I'm most grateful for.  Along with Louise Bloxham's further donation (Finlay's Mum, run 40's dedication) this takes me to £930 so far - great stuff!

I'm dedicating today's run to Claudia Allison.  Claudia's Mum Allison emailed me last week:

"Claudia was diagnosed with T1 in May 2008, aged 7 years old.  Now 10, she has a pump and cgm.  Diabetes Power is the website I set up in order to raise awareness of Type 1, along with the "Know the Symptoms" Campaign."

Read Angela's JDRF 1 Campaign Scrapbook entry:

http://www.jdrf1campaign.org.uk/scrapbookgallery.asp?section=79&sectionTitle=Type+1+scrapbook+gallery+%2D+how+type+1+affects+other+people%27s+lives&page=7&profile=219

http://www.diabetespower.org.uk/

Thanks for your hard work, Angela and I'm proud to dedicate today's run to Claudia.

Yesterday's run - 7.1 miles
Today's run - 6.2 miles

Today's run is dedicated to Loraine Sheils

Jake and I are in Liphook for a few days, staying with my Mum and Dad whilst Carolyn is "away with the girls".  A long journey yesterday, hampered by all cliches regarding the M25 becoming reality.  The area seems to alter every time we visit.  The biggest of these is the new A3 Tunnel at Hindhead, the famous bottle-neck that caused countless delays for commuters and holiday makers travelling between London and Portsmouth over the years.  This will come to an end next week when the tunnel opens, however I can't help feeling annoyed (along with my fellow drivers yesterday evening) that the tunnel has been ready for over 3 weeks, and on the busiest Friday of the year it remained closed.  It appears this is due to waiting for the current Minister for Transport to find a window in his diary to commence the pomp to snip the tape.

I'd like to thank my Mum and Dad for the generous donation they made last night on my justgiving site - this really gives me a boost and helps with the confidence they have in me to reach the 100 - thanks again!

Jake opted to sleep with me last night, and getting up early for the run today I thought I had managed to get away without waking him up.  Not so.  I heard a small voice from behind the door as I tip-toed down the stairs.  "Dad - my legs are aching...".   A quick check of his blood sugar reading confirmed this and he was soon playing on his DS whilst taking a glug of Lucozade and a couple of biscuits.  Job done.

I did the route I worked out yesterday, taking in old familiar sights of the A3, Hammer Vale - passing the Prince of Wales pub, where I used to drink way too much of the lovely Butser Ale, and the strong HSB.  I made my way back to Lynchmere, over past Highfield School and back around the village and my old schools.  A trip down memory lane if ever there was one.

Elizabeth Sheils has asked that I dedicate today's run to her Mum, Loraine which I am happy to do - in fact today's run will be dedicated to both of them.

Here is Elizabeth's email to me regarding the dedication:

 "I have had type 1 since the age of 5 (and I am 21 now!) The diabetes technologies and knowledge back in 1995 were not as they are today. I went onto a mixed insulin syringe regime and only go introduced to carbohydrate counting and multiple daily injections when I reached secondary school. I have just recently gone on pump the beginning of this year!

Being diagnosed so young I really had no idea what was going on, which meant my mum had to fully look after me. During the early months of my type 1 I had panic attacks in the night which we were told was my bodies way of dealing with the stress and confusion. Being 5 years old I didn’t really understand why people were trying to put needles into me and say I had to eat at certain times without sweets.  I do remember my mum, Loraine Sheils, staying with me in hospital overnight which made me feel a lot less anxious. Being the first type 1 in my primary school caused a lot of concern for the teachers. It meant my mum had to be on call just in case my blood sugar was too high or too low making it impossible to have paid employment. She was and still is always there for me.

My mum has done a wonderful job in supporting me these past  16 years. I haven’t had much support from friends during my school years and my family were reluctant to get too involved. Therefore she has been my support system without having anyone herself to lean on. She has given me the guidance and confidence to manage my diabetes and has always taught me not to let it get in the way of my life. I have learnt the skills to be able to manage my type 1 to the best of my ability whilst working towards all my other goals in life.

I am passionate about trying to improve the lives of those with type 1 and hope to raise as much awareness as I can. I have been working with JDRF for the past three years as a T1 Youth Ambassador and I am currently working with a clinical psychologist in a diabetes centre as part of my psychology degree. I know I never would have achieved all the things I have without the ongoing support of my mum. "

Read Elizabeth's JDRF 1 Campaign Scrapbook entry:

http://www.jdrf1campaign.org.uk/scrapbookgallery.asp?section=79&sectionTitle=Type+1+scrapbook+gallery+%2D+how+type+1+affects+other+people%27s+lives&page=4&profile=286

Thanks Elizabeth - today's run is for you and Loraine