Overview

Well after what seems a lifetime plus more I've finally rejoined the outdoor running brigade. Today was the final day to take up my therapist's challenge of running outside before my next appointment which is tomorrow - Wednesday.

The object of today was just go out for very short while, just to lay the ghost of the 6th September finally to rest and prove to myself I'm still capable of running. Wanted to do this on familiar ground so had arranged with Sarah to come with me just to reassure me & be there just in case.

With the wind blowing a gale..and light rain falling we set out on what would just a 2 mile run or in Sarah case a 2 mile bike round around the village. From the first steps all the fears that been with me for the past 79 days just suddenly vanished. There was a spring in my steps and felt real good from the off. For what's it's worth it did just over 15 minutes but today was just getting back into something that I now know I have dreadfully missed these last 3 months.

Sarah rode either behind or with me the whole way so she could have a look my style and she very impressed with what she saw. I just felt I was very heavy at times with my feet. Maybe that due to running on treadmill alot recently. But overall it did go better than I thought it would. Had visions for giving after a short while.

Hopefully things are finally moving in the right direction, these last few months have seen some terrible lows. But thanks to a wonderful team of people who just refused to give up on me I've made huge strides forward in getting back particularly into the running mode. The only slight cloud on the horizon is that the injury to my hand maybe more serious than at first thought. The wound is fully healed and the bandage is now off. But there is nasty lump which whilst not painful is causing me some discomfort particularly if any pressure is applied. Possibility that I may have chipped a bone so off to see my GP tomorrow morning for her to assess it. Got this horrible feeling an trip to x-ray dept may be on the cards. Had hoped there was no need to involve my GP but she's the only one who can fully assess any damaged done.

Today was a small but very significant step towards getting me to that start in HL. Will now slowly build up the distance and more important the confidence. But we will be there.

Tomorrow taking my mum to the theatre in Manchester. Looking forward to that and then on Friday going to see and meet my favourite singer in Bury.Thursday and Friday daytime will be gym class time. Then on Saturday we are having a tree planting ceremony in memory of my Dad. So overall a very busy week. Hopefully find time weather permitting do another run outside.

Take care if you are running outside. I only went today because of the deadline and it was a bit blowy and wet.  

John

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By my calculations it's 180 days since the world of internet blogging last heard anything of me.. and even doing this I've had major doubts about doing which may hopefully come over the course of the entry

So here goes...  after the highs of 17th May in Manchester the old nemesis of lack of self confidence,esteem and belief all combined to make the summer of 2009  a fairly bad one. 3 days after Manchester I was supposed to have my annual colonscopsy which was perfect timing but less than 48 hours before, it got cancelled and got put back til mid June. In an instant for what reason my confidence just went on a vertical drop. When it happen a month later..a  simple day stay test turned into a overnight stop. Had breathing problems and it was thought better to keep me in 24 hours as a precaution. What I didn't realise that the problem would back to haunt me spectacularly later on in the summer. Because of the reschedule and the problem I had, there was anyway I could do the other Manchester in early July.So all efforts were put into getting me ready for the GYRin early September. Cutting the story short, by mid August any confidence I was really ebbing at an alarming rate. So after countless visits to see myGP, it was decided to re-refer me back to my counsellor..I had finished with her back in mid June but things needed sorting once and for all.

By now I was having major doubts about doing the GYR. I wouldn't be seeing my counsellor until after the race but I still had things to settle with the course and considering everything, training was going well. But we are in and we will do it...or that was the plan unfortuantley this where the real problems started to happen.

It is still very hard for me to talk, let alone write about what happen in Sheffield that morning and it's only in the last few weeks thanks to a wonder group of people that I've come to terms with what . So here goes. All was looking good when I arrived in Sheffield..a cloudy but warm morning..an ideal morning to run the streets of Sheffield and end the year on real high. My one and only problem was the hilly finish but had been doing alot of hill work with Sarah so even that fear had been erased and was out to do a course PB..but little did I know by mornings end my love for running would be in total shreds. Everything was on cousre until about 1.5k from home, I just setting myself for the final fling when without warning my breathing went out of totally out of control....but my reaction was well..take it easy you are nearly home..then suddenly I lost all sense of where I was...decision time do I quit now or do I finish even it means I walk it. Think a bit of self pride crept in and after a drink of water which a lady spectator very kindly gave me I decided I would walk tofinish. With this self pride at stake..I decided to run the last 200 meters but it proved to be a bad mistake..after literally crawling over the line..the breathing problems started again and what turn out to a panic attack..I literally kneeled over and collaspsed. Thankfully there were medics nearby and was put into an ambulance and given medical attention on the spot. Gladfully I didn't need to be sent to hospital but was advised to go at the earliest opportunity and see my GP and until I seen her, no hard excerise. But even now the love for running had disappeared down the plug..my mind had made it's mind up and said to the rest of me..no more and thus began the worst of worst of the last 6 months. I got set into thinking that even hearing or seeing the word I just wasn't interested.. Once my GP has give me the all clear and she was happy with the ECG and blood tests that she requested I was more than happy to just go back on the bike and go swimming..running and me would go our separate ways, nobody would ever persuade me back. But I reckon without a team of people that wouldn't take no for answer.

I had convinced Sarah that I needed a total break from running and she accepted it and thought well if I con her could I fool anybody. How wrong I was. Think they call it letting your guard down. At the beginning of October my appointment with Holly had come through and by now even mentioning the "R" word was out of bounds but knew would come up but I thought it would just fill 5 minutes of the session but she had other ideas..she practically turn it into a 1 subject session basically she wanted start talking about it..she could see I was in distress I tried desparately to avoid the subject but she wasn't going to give in. By the end of that hour I had somewhat reluctantly agreed that I would least read about. I was going for lovely relaxing Spa break and when I came back we would see where we were heading. But I could even see now she wasn't going let it go.

So a few days later I packed my things and headed off to the North Leicestershire for a week and here events would take a dramatic turn. I've often said Champneys Springs was a magical place but this stay would outdo the previous ones. 2 totally unconnetced events would soon have me back on the running road. The 1 reason I had turned against running was because so far I hadn't had a real conviencing explainationof why what happened..did happen. The medics said  I was dehydrated but couldn't accept that as I drank well before the race..drank during it. All people could say "well it can't be this,can't that". The ECG proved the heart was OK, the blood tests shown everything was OK.  All I wanted was for somebody to tell want HAPPEN. Not what didn't happen.

Thankfully the staff at Springs came up with a possible to frankly the only cause. Even when I arrived the "R" word was still considered out of bounds despite Holly's best efforts. But during the course of my first day, little cracks were begining to appear in my resistance. By the end of that day the flood gates would be open. Started with conversation with the Spa manager, someone who I can open up to. She suggested seeing a member of fitness team who knows a thing about this sort of thing. So thought well no time like the present..so went to the reception and this member wasn't there but there was a lovely lady called Kim who I found out later was into sports psychologyand whom I had only met for the first time earlier on in the day, she was packing up to go home, but she asked whether she could help so told her the story and within a few minutes she was explaining to me what may have happened andfirst time in  weeks I begining to understand fully the events of that morning. She had dismissed both the dehydration and blood sugar theories. What happen was is probably this. I must have had some kind of chemical reaction within my body probably caused by stress which triggered the heavy breathing, that in turn starved my brain of oxygen which caused the servere light headiness. At the end, the 2nd wave was made worse by a big panic attack which my body just couldn't cope with.

Just hearing this explaination totally transformed my attiude to the running and by the end of our hour conversation she convinced to back to the running. I said there 2 events, the second was shall we say was not excatly planned. On the Sunday morning with me feeling so much more postive about myself..I decided to go on a bike ride and explore the lovely Leicestershire countryside. Just as I was finishing I had a nasty accident..fell off and badly injured my left hand. After being wonderfully cared for by the staff.It suddenly dawned on me that there will no cycling or swimming for a considerable while..so it be would a choice between doing nothing or running. Thankfully I decided to restart the running. Before I left many members of the fitness team including "the boss" did take time out to reasure and remind me that what happen in Sheffield really was out of my control.

Since coming home I have kept my side of the baragin that I struck with the staff. Done several sessions on the treadmills including 3 10k runs..something even that I've not done beforeusly. Only today I did one in 49'11" run..which is my 4th ever fastest ever time 10k run. The only problem still is running outside. Something that I am finding very difficult to do. But again Holly is helping me with that. At our last session last week she challenged just do 10 minutes nothing more. Got to admit this is a huge barrier to overcome. Thankfully Sarah is coming to the rescue, after a stern lecture after spin last night she has convinced me to go outside again. She even offered to come with me which I have accpeted. So the plan is now before I see Holly which on the 25th of this month I should have completed a outdoor run.

As for the injuries, not quite recovered, the hand is still strapped up with a bandage, so still no swimming but I'm back on bike if only the spin ones. But it's given plenty time to back into running mode. I have a real buzz about once again.

As for the future well..it depends very much  on how I feel on running outside. But I am working towards doing HL in February..that option of not doing it, is no longer. To many people are invloved now in preparing me for it. Can't let them down. Go to have a Spa break just before HL. Apparently Springs are having some running days in January and February and have been ask to go. Desparately what to do something with the bike next year..couple of ideas being worked already. But play those close to my chest for the time being. Going to take 1 challenge at a time.

I'm very fortunate particularly in the last few weeks to have people to go out of their way to get me back to somewhere like I was earlier on in the year. Whether I get back to dizzy heights of Manchester only time will tell. But I'm going to give a damm good try and that's what people only asking for.

Sorry for the long and sometimes long winded entry but it has been an almighty struggle to get this far and as I said before I'm so so grateful to so many people to getting me even to this stage. Even running by Christmas was considered an outside bet but it's amazing what you can achieve with bit of hard work.

I said at the begining that it has been hard to write this and it's taken several attempts to do it but done I've done it so perhaps it's time to back to regular blog writing as well as the running. A new start.

John

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Now that I've had time to calm down abit..here's my full account of 2009 GMR.

Firstly thanks to everyone for your lovely comments to my brief entry yesterday...they made me realised what a very special "family" we all are, sticking together through the good times but more importantly when things don't quite to plan....

To yesterday and what a day it turn out to be a great day once again...Dawn was early in east Cheshire, woke up just before 6 to clear blue skies, and first thoughts yes the weatherman have got it wrong, it's going dry race but hope turn to worry within a few minutes as grey clouds started to form, so the 1st major decision of the day...Do I run in weatherproofs or take a risk?....in the end a sort of comprise, normal running top but will wear shorten running tights ISO shorts with waterproof coat on standby just in case..

As usual wanted to be in Manchester nice and early to sample the race build up. Arrived at just 8 as the city centre was waking up...but a change in routine this year, even though I was the first wave I still had an hour to kill before the assembly point opened,usually after parking the car I usually go to start line and sample the unique atmosphere that is the GMR but decided to head to G-Mex mainly because "the realbuzz team" were gathering there and a final chance to speak to the Powerade guys who were there as well. After a little wander around the charity village and time ticking slowly by...I heard a familar voice its was our Sharon with her boys,along with Pam and Chris..it may strange but it was great to see familar faces as nerves  were starting to kick in big time...Over the course next 30 minutes more familar faces showed up and  the nerves soon disappeared...also good to meet Lolli finally for the first time if it only for a few minutes.

At 0915 it was time to say goodbye and start wandering back to the start line. Blast off for me was less than a hour away..but just walking back to Portland Street, you sensed the excitement in the air building, literally thousand's and thousand's of people whether running or watching making a small contribution to a great sporting spectacle.

Finally made it to my assembly point....a final goodbye to my mum,decided to risk the weather.. but despite being with ,.1000s of other runners I was now on my "own" for next 90 minutes..all that training would put to it's greatest test yet..Had still had thoughts about failing today..surely a repeat of last year couldn't be possible..but I had to go through with it now, no going back, it me against the streets of Manchester for next hour or so..

0945..wheelchair race gets underway, shortly followed by the eilite women didn't taken much notice of that..deep in that thought of what was about to happen.

0955 . Pre race entertainmet from opera singer Russell Watson followed by the pre-race warm up..but it hard to follow it, as masses of runners in narrow streets made it difficult unless you wanted bash your "next door neighbour" so to speak..

1000 elite men introduced to the crowd.....

1005 Off we go, forget nerves, this was it...0 zero had arrived...slowly and surely the masses of the orange wave moved forward, elite men off in their own battle, leaving the rest to fight it out. If there was a "black mark" against this event it was the starting area. Typical city centre streets not really built for 1,000s of runners, rumours were that a change might the case this year...but it was usual scrum down towards the Chester road...runners including myself forced at times to run on the pavement just to avoid running into others.....One of the great features of this race are the 1,000s of spectators that line the course but this year they excelled themselves, a loud wall of noise hit you ,people clapping,blowing whistles, shouting & bands playing,quite unbelievable but this was just the beginning. At 1 mile got onto the Chester Road,the women already heading back towards to the finish.Usually by now things begin to pan out but still had to run on the pavement for short sections....2K, the start of the longish climb up to Old Trafford...psychological point no1,the first real test of my training.In the past considered a possible downfall point, this year sailed through with flying colours..gave me a great boast early on.. Through 3k towards the footy ground,psychological point no2, it roughly here that my left calf stiffen up last year, but surely lightening doesn't strike twice...survived it thank god... Through 4k and down towards the football ground and a change of course, in past years we would run underneath the ground but this year all change, straight across the front and down towards Salford.... At 5k first of 2 water stations, and boy was I ready for it..had been suffering a dry mouth since about 3K so I was grateful for some liquid.. Took bottles 2, 1 for a drink and managed to grab a second to be used to cool the body down abit, seemed do to the trick..least only another 2k to the next one..The next 2K or so were also new, an extension down towards the Imperial War Museum and beyond to allow for us not running under the football ground and also that we wouldn't be running alongside the canal this year due to the narrowness of the area....at about 6.5k was the welcome sight of the run through shower.Thought it came slightly later around the 2nd water station. Was begining to feel the first signs of tiredness at this stage but once through the shower although brief it seemed to refresh & ignited me for the final drag home. 7K brought the the second hilly bit again a struggle in the past got through without any problem. Took on water again, 2 bottle job again...first was used as cool down and the second as liquid in take which I ran with for a while...Plan now was to kick for home...but just when I reached the top of the Chester Road, out of now where really ,we were confronted with a strong head wind, something I wasn't planning on. Psychological point no3, for a while I heard my brain say..."can't do this...got to stop" but thankful only on Wednesday whilst out on the bike I encountered worse conditions and got through that if only just...But the rest of me wasn't in mood to give up..come to far, to much at stake..OK the chance of a PB might have been blown but least I've got to finish.

Through 8k, the famaliar city skyline growing ever larger, almost home......9k reached 1,000m to go....and all of sudden another wall noise hits you...just masses and masses of people cheering you home..800m crowds growing by the metre...marshallers shouting only 4 laps of  the track to go..nice to see they have a sense of humour...400 meters a final final lurch for line...totally knackered but driven by the crowds...200 metres another wall of noise, first sight of the line..under the 2 railway bridges, a final dash for that line and I'm there...home safely if any only just...managed to drag myself away from the finish line, but felt I needed to catch my breath..was offered a sick bag by the medics but not required just needed to gather my bearings..

After a few minutes I was well enough to start walking away and get my goody bag, when all of sudden a lady reporter from KEY103 radio station wanted to a live interview with me...had to think about for a second or two but thought what  the hell, so I spent a few minutes answering her questions...one which was rather embarrassingly what time I've had done...I didn't know immediately cause I had forgotten to look at my watch as I finished...so after a slight pause I quickly looked down the watch & it was here that I realised for the first time that I may have done a PB..All of sudden all the tiredness suddenly disappeared and elation kicked in..but a slight worry that the watch may be wrong..could have easily stopped somewhere..but no hadn't been uncover for long enough..I was confident it was right.....and boy did I begin to celebrate..all the hard work of last few months had been worth it.

After collecting my well earned goody bag it was time to find my mum. The excellent organisation of the event meant it didn't take long to find her...by now I was grininng like a Cheshire Cat who has nicked all the cream..it was now sinking in that I've achieved the impossible once again..but still kept checking the watch...just in case....but I did final convince myself yes it was mission accomplished.

After coming down slightly from cloud 9...text Sarah just let her know..did promise good or bad..then after a quick snack, a quick visit to the Powerade guys just to let them know..then it was back to Deansgate to join the 1,000s of spectators  watching the rest of the runners come home and was then where you really appreciate the part they played in the specatcle.. Just one mass of humanity from one end to the other....just an amazing sight... Finally settled at a spot underneath 1 of the rail bridges at the bottom end of Deansgate, which was very handy cause it began to rain very heavy yet runners were coming through soaked to the skin yet smiling and acknowledging the large crowds..These were real heros and heriones of the 2009 GMR

Finally as the last of runners came through decided to head for home...tiredness had creeped in and my bum had stiffed horribly and struggling to walk properly. But I had a great day..meeting with "realbuzz" gang again..sorry I missed some of you. Lining in the same starting group as Olympic champions and world record holders is experienced that I wouldn't thought about even 2 years ago.

But above all else getting a PB  has to be the greatest achievement this year..preparation for this year event I'm going to confess hasn't been ideal for various reasons...but I've been extremely fortuante and grateful to have people to be there when I've needed them. Everybody here who has taken the trouble to comment.. meeting up with "gang" on Sunday..you somehow managed to kill these nasty pre race nerves. The staff at JJB in Macclesfield who again have encouraged me to push myself that little bit farther. But there's one person whom without I can't achieve what I did on Sunday and that's Sarah. She has made all the difference to me in the last 12 months....she's had to "pick me up" on several occasions..yes we've had our little differences, only last Monday I threw a little tantrum but we always come out smiling and laughing at the end and days like yesterday make me realise why she makes me do things I don't really want to do but are necessary to do sometimes to achieve your goals.

Just for the record the offical splits time are:

3K:      14:02

5K:      23:28

7.5K:   35:42

10K:    47:36

Had been thinking that this may be the last time I may do the GMR and do something else next year...unfortunatley Macclesfield holds it's bikeathonon the same weekend...but there's a magnet that seems to draw me to the streets of Manchester in mid May and speaking with Sarah today, we have both agreed this event does brings out the best in me...

Well to done to everybody who ran in Manchester, plenty of PB's from the realbuzz team..and huge well done to Sharryn who at less 24hrs notice took on the streets of Manchester..and conquering some her fears...she just a star of this "community

So that's my account of the 2009 GMR...Superbly organised again and proven once again that Manchester can hold high class sporting events..in 2 minds what to do next, down to the other Manchester run in July but coming so soon after the GMR just feeling at the moment it may just be a bit of anti-climax...the next real challenge is GYR in early Septemeber..a bit of score to settle there still..

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Just a very very quick entry to let you all know that it was mission accomplished in Manchester this morning. After all that gone on in the last few months, all the worries, pains and the odd tantrum etc I now have a new PB for a 10k.... 47'36". Sliced just under a minute off last years' time..just dead dead pleased with the run..were moments when I thought I had blown it.... but the clock never lies.

A full race account will come tomorrow, just to tired to do it tonight..going to have a hot bath and watch the race highlights and reflect on the achievement of today....

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you meet & beat an Olympic athlete...no it's April 1st. Nor have I gone completely mad...well certainly not yet...so I will explain.. About 3 weeks ago as part of the build up to the GMR I recieved an e-mail from a company called Powerade who are one the sponsors of the run, inviting me to a training morning in Manchester..where running coaches from the Manchester area would get us ready for the GMR. Giving us last minutes tips and advice for the day and bit of workout as well.. As it free I thought why not. Nothing to lose. So this morning it was down to Plattfields Park in south Manchester to see what happens.. It was one of those occasion where I thought would I be the only one but no, there were approx 60-70 people of different running abilities probably thinking "god what have we let ourselves in for". The idea was to split everybody in 6 groups according to how fast you were thinking of running the course...have a group chat, do some basic warming up exercises, go for a little run around the park and have a final warm down.

The organsiers did tell us that a member of Team GB would be coming but wasn't until we got there when we found who it was... it was Dan Robinson who ran in the Beijing marathon countless races for GB and who is running in the GMR next week...what a nice guy, he took time out to go all the groups answering questions, warming up with a group and he actually ran with the group I was in..so I thought wouldn't be great to "beat" him..the group I was in were known as the 45-50 minute group.  After warming up and chatting for an hour the groups headed out on "the course", it was only going to be a very short one..just over 2 miles but what a 2miles , little old me running along side an established professional runner..and yes I knowDan wasn't running anywhere near his competitive pace, but I made sure I crossed the finishing line ahead of him & at least I can say I have "beaten" a professional runner if only in a training run..

After all the groups had finished the run and a final warm down, the organisers finished off by thanking us for coming,as a reward they gave us a goody bag with a running shirt in and a Powerade drink. They will be watching us next week Manchester with interest..The coaches are running and be "our" pacemakers if we want to use them. They will make themselves available to chat to before the the start of the race.

One bit of gossip Dan told us, Haile Gebrselassie may attempt a WR for 10k..have offered my services as a pacemaker for him...somehow I think not...

Today was certainly something differentweek before a major run.Powerade are looking to do these days before other major events..and talking to people afterwards it seemed a good time was had by all.

Today came as relief to what has been a hard week for me...even before my medical appointments on Wednesday it seems every department at Macclesfieldhospital wants to see me for something.. My appointment for a colonscopsy has come through which going to be on the Wednesday after the GMR, the eye department want to see me the following week, to see how field of vision problem I have is..had hoped they somehow forgotten about me.. I should have gone back last September, no chance...My counselling appointment went OK but the bad news from my GP is that to help my skin problem I've been put a drug that maybe and I think already is  causing "problems" with my stomach.. she has been very reluctant to do it because of that very reason but the stuff I have been on just wasn't working.... a case of being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Still got to have my 2nd blood test to see how being off the B12 tablets for past 8 weeks has had any effect. That's got to be done tomorrow...talking of which got a nice little PT session with Sarah in the afternoon..oh yeah I wish...I could see how her mind was thinking on Thursday night after Spin.

As for the rest week will not be doing alot...probably do something on Wednesday after work...and then rest til Sunday. Have put my name down to do some speed watching. This week I've been trained up by the Police to be a commuinty speed watcher in the village..There's nothing worse seeing some impatient motorists totally disregarding the speed limits whilst driving through the village...so as part of the Parish plan I've voluntereed my services to educate the motorists of Macclesfield to respect the speed limits a little more...been warned that I am going to have take a bit of s**t from one or two but I am used to that at work anyway.

 Trust everybody has had a good weekend, what ever you have been up to..

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I'm a great believer of the above title and never more so has it been apparent than in the last 7 days.

2 things have suddenly given me that "GMR" buzz that was threatening not to appear this year.

Firstly a large envelope containing my start number and wave group..This year I've been allocated orange wave which means I'm in with "big boys"..There some big names again this year.Like Sheffield last October, what an experience that will be. This will be the 2nd time I've been in the elite group for a Great Run event but the first time in Manchester..the world's centre for 10k racing...and thinking it's only 2 years when I was in the bottom group.

Secondly and totally unrelated happened at lunchtime today. On the recommendation of one of my aqua instructors, I've bought myself a pair of aqua trainers to wear in the pool...Today was the first time I wore them & what a huge difference they made. In our aqua classes there is alot of pressure placed on the feet  when we are "jumping" and "bouncing" around and you are always slipping on the floor of the pool but today no such problems, I was able to bounce around quite happily as if a spring was in the shoes and not doing any damage to my feet. But the most surprising thing was when I put my normal trainers back on, I got that wonderful springy feeling in my feet, as if to say "that's go and do a 10K run NOW!" but I didn't, had to get home PDQ..but it gave me such a postive feeling about the battle that lays ahead for the next 2 weeks.

Despite some c**p work shifts this week I've managed to do some training: So here's a brief summary:

Saturday: 4mile run: 30'18"

Sunday:   17mile bike ride with hydration pack...filled with a litre of water...

Monday-Wednesday: Nil

Thursday: 6 mile bike ride to Congleton to have some work done the bike -AM

               Aqua class lunchtime - 1hour

               6 mile bike ride back from Congleton- PM

               Spin class at the gym- 1hour

God know what calories I've burnt today, a good guess would be somewhere between 2,000-2500.The bike "ride" to and from Congleton burnt almost 800 calories.

Plans for Friday is a swimming session with Sarah at lunchtime-might even bike ride to the gym.

Saturday - a morning run.In the afternoon the family are saying our final goodbyes to our Dad. We are burying his ashes at Gawsworth Church. Not looking forward to that. But it's got to be done.

Sunday: Bike ride after work, going to aim for 20 miles.

Next week is complicated by work, hospital and doctors appointments....it's going to be really tough week especially Wednesday.

Well done to everyone who completed the FLM, especially Caz and Alistair, it's more than I'll ever do .For me I'm quite happy with my 10Ks, particularly I've got the GMR buzz once again. I just know it's going to be another great day in the heart of Manchester,showing the world why Manchester IS worth it's gold medal status..this year is made even more special by the appearance of the world's fastest man running down one of Manchester's main streets after we've done our "stuff"....providing he recovers from the car accident he had yesterday in Jamaica....

Take care.. good luck to everybody running this weekend...have a funny feeling it's the Edinburgh 10k Great Run this weekend....

John

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I guess I'm not the only one, but just at the moment I'm going through a phase of where I just want be on my own. It's why I've not been "around" as often as I should. But just at the moment I'm going through a very tough patch. The counselling I have been having has been extremely tough in the last month. It's left me mentally tired and drained. With only a fortnight between each session, there isn't alot of time to fully recover. Last weeks' was the toughest so far. But she has given me a 3 week break before I see her next on the 6th May.. I knew it was going to be hard work but I'll admit it's been much harder than I ever imagined it would be. It not easy dragging bad moments of your life than happen some 25 years ago as well as what's has happened in the not to distant past. As a consequence things have suffered and it's been the running of all things that's taken the major "hit". Haven't been out for over 2 weeks all but for an aborted attempted on Easter Monday. For some odd reason I let a little matter of an unsecured water bottle get the better of me and after a mile of keep having to pick it up, I simply gave up and went on a long walk along the canal instead and the running shoes haven't been worn since.... Hadn't even spoken to Sarah in over a fortnight until I "met" her in the gym today. Got the usuaul "third degree" from her but she understood. But do have pump tomorrow so we will see so what happens then.

But it hasn't been all doom and gloom, there has been 1 postive thing to come out of this. My bike riding.....has been the Brucie bonus to come out of all this....whilst the thoughts of giving it all up have been there yet again, there have still 1 or 2 postive thoughts trying to squeeze through the gloom and it seems they are succeeding for the moment at least. For me, the bike has been the timely godsend. The area where I live is just ideal for biking, country lanes, free from traffic, and I've just loved just getting on the bike and going somewhere on me todd...I find that I can go out for an hour or so doing up to 15 miles a ride has given me  that valuable thinking time I needed. Carved out 3 rides of 15 miles each just last week alone.  Find that I don't as tired doing the biking as I do when I run but sure do burn the calories. Confidence is such that I've started to plan a long distance ride, but not until after run in Manchester in May. Even have a route in mind already. Bought myself a hydration racksack today. Going to need some practice using it before I let myself loose abit further a field, but it's better than drinking from a bottle. The bike requires some minor adjustments as well, so a "ride" in Congleton is pencilled in for Thursday morning to get that sorted out.

Be assured I haven't given up on the running but the right mental attitude hasn't been there just recently but the bike riding has brought it back so a run is possibily on the cards tomorrow. See what happens at pump in the morning efore comitting myself. Not to sure whether to take a bottle with me or may just end up at the local shop. 

As mentioned before the counselling is proving harder to deal with than I thought, but Holly my therapist does assure me that I am making progress, even if I don't think so at times, it's just going to take time and patients. Unfortunaley my session will fall on the same day as unrelated doctors' appointment. Unfortuantley my skin condition has flared up yet again.There no question of cancelling, that needs sorting once and for all and there's only a 2 hour "window" between the 2 appointments.Oh well,see how I cope with that on the day...... Least it's gives me an early "dart" from work.

Just want to wish everybody the best of luck in the FLM on Sunday particularly Alistair and Caz. Guys enjoy the day. For me, Manchester is large on the horizons once again depsite everything, no thoughts of pulling out..but I may now just enjoy the day for what it supposed to be.... FUN.....Do manage to keep with everybodies goings on, sorry if I don't coment as often, sometimes it's just a quick read....

John

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Very hard to describe what happen yesterday and why it develop into a bit of a farce. What should have been a fun family day out sadly didn't.  After complaints about the hardness of the course last year, the organisers of the Sheffield Children's Hospital run, up sticks and moved away from central Sheffield to basically the middle of nowhere somewhere between Sheffield and Worksop. The venue was the Rother Valley Country Park and along with Sheffield Athletics club they thought had a better annual run. As usually there would be 2 races 1 3k race for children and the 10k race for us runners. The main event as normal was set for 12 noon.

The time of the event was great for me, despite living on the western side of the Pennines it didn't require a to early get up. With big brother living in the city, his house would be used as base camp. So with a careful planning it was arranged that we would arrive in Sheffield soon after 9 and being Sunday both my nephew and niece still could have their weekly swimming lesson and still leave us with plenty of time to get to the venue.We worked out we need about 30 minutes. So we picked up the kids at 1030 and made haste up to the venue. Traffic was little in central Sheffield, and we made good time until we came within a 1-2 miles of the park, where we met a line of stationary traffic going nowhere. I thought it may be roadworks but there no signs..Time was just before 11, so we still had the best part of an hour to get to the start. But as time went by we were literally inching our way along, couldn't see the front of queue & it was getting longer behind. We soon realised that this was the only way into the park and we stuck in the middle of it. I found out later that queue eventually tailed back to the M1, some 3 or 4 miles back. Just after 1130, with the park just about in sight my nephew made the sensible suggestion of me walking to the start. Which I duly did. Other runners also opted for this "route". But what surprised me was there just nobody not even a poilceman directing the traffic basically a free for all.

It was only whilst walking down the long entrance that there was somebody shouting that there would be a delay of 15 minutes. I got talking to a guy who agreed with me that it was a bit of a shambles. After a long walk I got to start- which was about 1-2 miles according to pedometer and although I had come in my running gear, I still had track suit bottoms, top on and kit bag to depose of. Unlike last year there were no changing facilities at the venue, so I prayed that my Mum and brother would make in time so that I "download" my gear with them. Fortunately they did.Dispite people still piling in, the organisers seemed very determined not to delay the start any further and made desperate announcements to get runners down to the start which was still quite a distance away. Managed to get to start in "time" but it appeared they had abandoned the traditional warm up which is part of the event. Think real panic had really set in by now.

But at approx 1220, only 20 mniutes late but with tens of runners still making their way down to the start. We were off. They did assure competitiors there was no need to rush as the run was on the chip system, which was their saving grace really. God knows how they would have coped under the old system.  Anyway Ozzie Owl started the race. Course was 2x 5k laps of the park around 2 large lakes. Run on a combination of tarmac paths, roads and but mainly dusty country park paths it wasn't going to be the most challenging course I've experienced. But with having rushed to get into the place and the lack of a warm up, decided that I was just going to treat this as a training run.Was under instruction anyway from Sarah not to take any unnecessary risks. The start was chaotic, everybody wanting to stay on the paths, loads of pushing. The first mile was tarmac run before going onto the stoney dusty paths. Felt really weird running but with people still making their way to the start. It was very hard to settle into any sort of rhythm. Soon thought I was right that a fast time would be out of the question so I would try and just enjoy the run. The "circuit" was large and people soon spread out and you could see a human chain forming around the course.  Even when I came through to start the 2nd circuit people were wondering down to the start. As we started the second lap there was the only chance to take on water, again last year they had 2, fortunately although sunny it wasn't hot, if it had been there may have been one or two problems with dehydration.  Used the second lap to try and do some "sprinting" but found that my feet slipped slightly on the stoney surface. I was mighty glad to see the finishing line.For once I wasn't particularly bothered what the time was, knew it wasn't the best I had done.

For what's it worth here are splits according to the watch

1 mile       7:37

2 mile      15:15

3 mile     23:00

4 mile    30:56

5 mile   38:46

6 mile  46:39

10k      48:31 both chip and watch

Probably the most amazing thing about it all was my final time, considering that I wasn't bothered about it.  It was only 6 secs out from a PB. Unfortunately the chaotic nature of the event continue into the finishing area, a very small area given over to the finishers to meet with family etc,claim their "T" shirt and also to have their time chips taken off them. For some bizarre reason we wore them on our shoes iso around the ankle which meant officials had to help most people to get them off. After a quick recovery and meeting up with the family, we decided to get out a.s.a.p.,as there was only 1 exit for everyone & we didn't want to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon in yet another traffic jam. Got out with any problems and we made our way back to base camp.

It's such a pity that what had been a well run event in previous years had clearly lack organisation this year. There was just no atmostphere, no bands playing, certainly lack of facilities for both spectators and runners alike. Informing competitors of the possible delays and then rushing into the start when it was clear that there still people arriving. Yes they had the chip system in their favour and as mentioned before that really saved the event for a total farce, but it was meant to be a fun day and they removed that part of the event to save themselves. I'll put a fiver on that they get more complaints this year than they did last year.

Even today I can't find anything good about yesterday. I'll wait and see whether or not I'll do it again next year certainly will not do it if they keep the same venue...One fact about yesterday I spent more time waiting in the car than I did actually running.That's how bad things got.

But I'm really looking forward to next few months, firstly Manchester in 6 weeks time and then back to Sheffield in early September. Both courses with their unique atmospheres and challenges especially Sheffield. That final hill and I have some unfinished business to sort out.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Enjoying the warm spring sunshine.

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