Hi All
A special hello to all my 14 running colleagues today, Ian, Becky, Jen, Pete, Phil, Jac, Debs, Debs, Paul, Sally, Chris, Richard, Kris, Harry, thank you all for your great company, for driving here and taking part and showing support for Alfie and Arthur, we had the choice of running, nice choice to have!
The day started with me feeling every niggle and worrying about injury, feeling nervous, setting out the cakes, and hoping day 1 would go well. Then I thought I did not have to put my son to bed with callipers on his legs last night, whats a few niggles?!
Becky and then Ian were first to arrive, followed by my daughter Kris, then Harry and then the guys from Yeovil, what a great turn out, we had 15 willing runners setting off for the Forest in perfect sunshine, there were some who had not run for a long time and several who had NEVER attempted this sort of distance.
So this was the Y in Yeovil, 25k in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, the special New Forest, we reached the gate into the Forest at 8k, 3 left us at this point, a great run from 3 special people for whom 25k would have been too far, (4 Weeks to train for the last leg of 23k guys!!!).
Then into the Forest, Ian stripped of one of his layers, down to six layers I think, it must have been warm!! (3 down to 2 really). The Forest was beautiful but dry, avoiding the ponies and along a footpath through the trees, several miles later out into the open acres of heathland, stunning views with a distant site of the only serious hill on the way to Burley, a nice 'slope' with loose stones and grit just to make it a little more challenging, I think Phil said 'I thought it was Blo*dy flat round here' or words of a similar nature. Everyone made it up, and Burley was close and we were 19k in, only 6k to go, well thats what I told them!!
Into Burley, beautiful, past the Cider Company and back into the Forest, a lovely sandy path across acres of Heathland, rumour has it Ian stripped off another layer, but its only a rumour! Phil was on a mission, he was flying and leading the way, a nice stop at the big lake near Burley and we were on the way home.
Deb had been told, 'come along, we are doing a little 5 miles, we were now at 13.1 but she was going great, as was Kris whose longest previous was 10 miles! A long straight road through the heathland leading back towards home. Paul had pulled a muscle and was really trying to keep going. I told him I need him on 29th and don't be silly and sent for a pickup, he did a great time for his 13.1 and was gutted to pull out, but sensible. We STOPPED anyone else getting in the car and set off for the last bit back home.
Now I had said 25k, and when we went through 26k I did get some interesting looks, but 26.5k and we were home, Ian was now just in shorts (Only Joking), Deb was leading the way, Sally was flying, big distance, magic performance, Jac was going great guns, I had a Blister, Pete looked like he had just set off, and Phil wanted to go round again and I was just proud of my girl!! There were supporters to greet us, a special moment.
And then the cakes, and what cakes, Debbie, those flapjacks are to die for, and as for the fruit cake MMMMMmmmmmmm... Sally, that sponge was amazing. Bev brought some amazing strawberry fruit scones, Ian laid on the floor and asked to be fed (He did do about 40 miles this weekend), Phil wanted tea, tea and more tea, Chris wanted Sausage Rolls, Richard took pictures.
In summary, Ian thanks for the inspiration and joining us today, I confirm Yeovil Town Road Running Club is very special and I would not want to run for anyone else, The New Forest is beautiful, you are all very special people and I had a wonderful day and have only 308km to go.
FOR ALFIE AND ARTHUR, www.marchantfamilytrust.org.uk, www.actionduchenne.org
Day 2 coming tomorrow, Boscombe Pier at 7pm. Be there if you can, its only E, 5k along the sea front!
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