Diggle Beach

It feels good to reach another mini-milestone.  That's 30 in 30 days now.  I decided to mix road and trail on today's run (7.5 miles) - and took in a big breath of what felt like sea air when I was approaching Brun Clough Resevior from the Pennine Bridleway.  Looking across I noticed how low the water was, and that it has revealed a beach.  I should add that it's hardly resort standard, nor a "secret cove of my own" - however amused me to think that Diggle could ever boast such a landmark.

"Diggle Beach"

Later on this afternoon, I took the dog for a walk back up there to take a few photos of "the beach" and also the landscape that is on a the desent back home from a few of my regular routes.  This morning's sunshine gave way to this afternoon's downpour, so both Meg and I got soaked all in the process of getting a photo for this blog.  What's pretty disappointing is also the drop in the water level has also revealed Brun Clough Resevior as a past flytippers' regular drop off point.  Large industrial gas bottles and the roof from the cab of a lorry were two such items now visible. Let's hope this stops.

From the top of Brun, heading towards the boat lane



The clever sheep keeps dry by not following the others



Mid-way down the boat lane, heading home

Yes..You've got your photos, so can we go home now please?



So by my calculation, I will have completed a third of the challenge by next Wednesday (13th July)...

Faster

A thought about the daily runs struck me this week.  What if I continued to side with caution and continued the runs on the road at an "easy pace" ?  Part of me says this is sensible, the other part says I should dispense with any idea of "playing it safe" and up the pace on every 3rd run.  This will ensure I notice the progress I'm making and be in with a good chance for a good time In Newcastle on the 18th September.  That's not to say I'm "Captain Slow" or anything - it's just something for me to consider, once I hit 30 runs tomorrow.  Having said that, I really went for it on yesterday's run - and noticed I'm getting faster when I want to be.

I'd like to offer some more "thank-you's" - first of all to Brendan Rooney, who is based in our Edinburgh office.  Brendan heard about the 100 runs through one of the SME's who have been working on a project and been spending time up there.  Brendan decided to fundraise for the JDRF by completing the Barrathon - Half Marathon around the Isle of Barra.  He did this last weekend, with a finishing time of 2 hrs, pipped by his brother by 30 mins - I'm really grateful to him - thanks Brendan.

Next "thank-you" goes to Michael from Rainbow Running, as he sent 2 of their long sleeve running tops in the post (see photo below). Thank you's are also due to Sophia Cannelli and Sarah Brown for their donations on my Justgiving site, My mate Paul Edwards for nice words of encouragement in his letter this morning, and Pat for the company and encouragement on this afternoon's off-road run. I forgot to thank Geoff and Jan at the Diggle Hotel for keeping the Helly Hansen box for me when the courier needed a signature. Richard Jones, Editor of the Saddleworth News Website has also put another post online to spread the word about be reaching 25 runs this week - thanks for this.  Last of all to Carolyn for putting up with me getting up so early, and for making the best smoothies a runner could want.

Friday's run - Diggle - Friezland - Greenfield - Higher Arthurs - Uppemill - Dobcross - Home - 6.5 miles
Today's run - Diggle - Standedge - Oldham Way - Cattleshaw Res - Pennine Bridlepath - Diggle - Home
8 miles

Looking forward to hitting the 30th tomorrow...

More support

Big thanks to Accelerate Running of Sheffield and Mountain Feet of Oldham for offering to upload links to my Justgiving page and this blog to their Facebook Pages - this is much appreciated.  Mountain Feet have also offered a discount in store, so again thanks for your support and kind emails back - they give me a boost!

http://www.accelerateuk.com/ and http://www.mountainfeet.co.uk/

One of the clothing companies I contacted also came back to me, albeit by letting me know just how much attention they paid to the original email I sent them.  After telling me how many requests they get and that they support many charities already, Sally from GORE UK signed off her communication with the line "Good luck with your bike ride".  This rattled me, because I think that the snappy challenge title (100 runs in 100 days) sort of gives a big clue as to what I will be doing.  Whilst I don't expect anything from anyone I've contacted, I appreciate a degree of courtesy, and GORE UK have so far demonstrated very little of this, which grates considering the good things I had read about their company and products - and the fact I have purchased, worn and endorsed their products in the past.  No matter.  The buzz I get after each run is the satisfaction of doing something I set out to do, and the kindness of others, in particular A3 Sports, Helly Hansen, Rainbow Running, Accelerate UK and Mountain Feet, as well as my justgiving donators are all good examples of this.

Thank you. 

Pat's back

I'm really pleased.  Pat, my friend and running partner is again fighting fit and we can pick up where we left off with the weekend runs.  Pat was laid up with a virus in the second week in June, leading him to miss out on all the excitment that is Whit Friday and Beerwalk day.  We went out last night (I had already completed my run in the morning), but couldn't resist getting back onto a different route and easing Pat back into the running. We went to Dobcross and back, and vented fury at the tough day's we'd had in our respective workplaces, and the latest on the News of the World.

I've agreed that I shall drop a few of the morning runs so we can do the minimum 6.2 miles (and maybe more) for evening runs to benefit the both of us - sounds good to me.  Whilst I've had music and morning sunrises to keep me going on the morning runs, I can't help feeling happier to have a bit of company to avoid this challenge becoming a slog, so welcome back, Pat - you've been missed!

Yesterday's run - 6.2 miles
Today's run - 6.5 miles

Quarter complete

Well, that's a quarter of the challenge completed.  Not that I'm getting carried away or anything, but it's good to reflect on the last few weeks and approach these milestones as pretty good achievements.

After Saturday's run, Colin and Carolyn suggested that I could start to dedicate future runs to those affected by Type-1 Diabetes, to help raise awareness and take the challenge out of the blog every once in a while - they have a point.  That's in essence what the fundraising is all about - raising money for the research and awareness of Type-1, and why the research is so vital, how it affects the children and their families on a day to day basis.  I've contacted Sarah Brown, who has agreed to send me a profile of her son Ryan, who is about to turn 18 - and how they have coped with his diabetes since he was diagnosed, and the trials of getting him fitted with an automatic insulin pump.  Jon from JDRF will also give some thought to how I can profile other Children and Parents to dedicate runs to them as well.

For an idea of what those living with type-1experience, take a look at the scrapbook that the JDRF put together (with contributions from the families) at  www.jdrf1campaign.org.uk

My work-mates continue to be ever-supportive and I'd like to give thanks to Faye, Richard and Charlotte for making the display that keeps everyone in the office updated on how the challenge is progressing.  It also saves me from pestering them by email, truth be told.

The story went into the Saddleworth Independent today - It's a free newspaper that is published on a monthly basis.  I'm very grateful not only for the article but also to use a different picture that shows me with hair and less of a chin.  Lesson 1 - choose an old photo for these things...

I've also had a good response from Rainbow Running, who make a good range of technical running wear, their website is http://www.rainbowrunning.com/ - they are sending on one of their running tops, so big thanks to Michael Naimski for emailing me this evening.  Now I could do with a spare set of road trainers as a back up...

Sunday's run (hot hot hot!) - 7.1 miles

Monday's run  - 6.2 miles

Tuesday's Run - 6.3 miles (run 25)

 

Running with Colin

Colin Bishop, a friend who is also an experienced runner and coach, got in touch earlier this week to offer moral support and join me on one of my weekend runs.  I have to say that I accepted his offer with a slight degree of nervousness.  Colin has many running acheivements to his name, completing the infamous Bob Graham Round (72 peaks of the Lake District in 24 hours) just being one of these that made me nervous about hitting the peaks with him.  I'm sure he was the original inspiration for the Beano's Billy Whizz.  I was pretty humbled.  Colin is both great company as well as being very encouraging so I took him up on his offer.

I gave the Helly Hansen top and shorts their "maiden voyage" and we set off up the boat lane towards Stanedge Cutting, where the Pennine Way meets the Oldham Way.  Colin said that he would take a few photos of the run for the Saddleworth Runners website, which is being linked to this blog, which I am most grateful for.  I will repay them by joining up and helping out with future races.  Their website is http://www.saddleworth-runners.co.uk/

At one point, Colin filmed me running down a rocky hill which, I suspect if I had tripped arse over head, then he would have submitted to You've Been Framed.  Mind you, decent and honest chap that he is, he would have passed on my cut of the £250.  We carried on the route following the Oldham Way and along the edge of Cattleshaw, back up to Brun Clough and down the boat lane.

It was a great run, topped off by a lovely post-run lunch provided by Carolyn.  The HH top worked very well, all the wicking and technical jargon on the labels did what they said they would.

Thanks again, Colin for your support and compliments on my running.  To be able to keep up with you is enough for me.

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

Early run tomorrow, due to commitments at the Diggle School Fete, manning the "Splat the Rat" stall...

Diabetes Power

I came into contact with Sarah Brown through work.  Sarah works in the Southend Centre and during a week of fundraising a couple of years ago, I noticed someone was raising funds for the JDRF.  I got in touch with Sarah, explained about Jake, and she told me her experience with her son Ryan, who also has type-1 Diabetes and is about to turn 18.

I'm grateful to Sarah who has shared some really useful tips over the months and has also undertaken some great promotion work, raising awareness of type 1 over the Facebook network.  Sarah has sent me details of the group http://www.diabetespower.org.uk/ who are doing a good job of raising awareness, especially around looking for the first signs of ketoacidosis, and 4 case studies of children who were diagnosed with type 1 between the ages of 3 and 15 years of age.

Their website provides good advice, website links and a 24 hour support telephone number.

Thanks to Sarah for sending this on, and for your support over the months - I'll be sure to pop over when i'm next in Southend.