I don't even know where to start...

Perhaps I should start with an apology. Yes, an apology would be good. I’m sorry. Really, truly sorry. From the bottom of my heart; sincerely, I apologise. First of all, I haven’t written for three weeks (bad blogging!!!) and for this I apologise.

But that’s not all I’m sorry for. I’ve got something else to be profoundly and sincerely sorry for. I don’t even know how to tell you this so I’ll just come right out and say it. I HAVEN’T GOT A PLACE IN THE GREAT NORTH RUN.

Yes, that’s right. I have not been allocated a place in the Great North Run and therefore, short of just turning up on the day and attempting to sneak into the race by mingling in with the crowd (it’s a thought), I will not be running the Great North Run. But that’s not all. Here’s the next bit: THE GREAT WALES RUN HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Yes, cancelled. No, I don’t know why. The race organisers (who I don’t like very much anymore as you will probably be able to tell as I continue with this entry) didn’t bother to explain. They just cancelled it.

So, today, (well, actually, yesterday when I got the email telling me that I wasn’t in) saw the death knell of my “Run the Greats 2009” fundraising attempt. Well, I can’t carry on, can I? Let’s face it. I can’t run all of the UK based “Greats” series of events if I haven’t got a place in one of the key events and one of the others has just been cancelled. And I’ve got to say, I’m really upset about it. Disillusioned with the Great Run team who have been consistently unhelpful whenever I’ve approached them about what I was trying to do. In the first instance, I wasn’t “Great” or elite enough to be allocated one of the guaranteed places in the Great North Run. Now, despite several begging emails (and I just knew it would happen – didn’t I say last time how I never, ever get lucky enough to be picked out in any kind of ballot/raffle type event) I haven’t got a place through either the Daily Telegraph or the General ballot. Of course, I could, if I wished (according to the Great Run team) get a place in the run by volunteering to run for a charity. (But, I hear you cry, aren’t you already running for a charity?) Yes, I am. Sadly, the charity I’m running for isn’t great enough for the Great Run organisers. Let’s face it… It’s just a local hospital which is one of only three places in the UK dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment. Just a small place which has contributed enormously to worldwide research into the disease and provides help and support to thousands of people and their families who are living with cancer. Now if my charity was one of the big names – you know, one of the ones who have probably paid through the nose to the Great Run organisers to have guaranteed places for their fundraisers, well that would be a different matter. But, sadly, the organisers of what has got to be one of the largest fundraising events in the UK isn’t interested in a local hospital. It’s just too “Great” for that. (I’m just going to point out here that, as you can see, I’m really cross with the organisers of the Great Run. However, the... well... let’s say it like it is... the rant that you can see here is my personal opinion of the organisers of the Great Runs. It’s all my own. It’s certainly not come from the hospital. But if I was them I’d be cross too...)

So, in short, ranting aside, no more “Run the Greats 2009”. But, hang on, I hear you cry. Haven’t people sponsored you to run in these events already? Haven’t you raised nearly £500 so far? The answer to this is yes, this is true. And with this in view, I can’t just fail to do any runs whatsoever. People have generously donated in lieu of the fact that I promised to run 64 miles and swim one; and, fear not, I am still going to run those miles (although I’m not doing the swim now...) In fact, if today sees the death knell of “Run the Greats 2009”, it sees the birth of “The Weston 100”. Yes, good people, in the space of one day since those bugg... sorry, the organisers of the Great Runs informed me that I wasn’t in, I have dreamed up a whole list of new events on which to base my fundraising campaign. And here it is – here are my events for 2009:

The Great Winter Run (3.11 miles) in January (already completed).
The Dronfield 10k (6.22 miles) in March.
Theo's Rother Valley 10k (6.22 miles) in April.
The Sheffield Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in May.
The Great Edinburgh Run (6.22 miles) in May.
The Great Manchester Run (6.22 miles) in May.
The Lomas Distribution Buxton Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in May
The Golden Gate 10k (6.22 miles) in May.
The Great Bakewell Pudding Race (6.25 miles) in June
The Chicks Chase (3.11 miles) in June
The Three Lakes Classic (15 miles) in June
The Great Longstone Fell Race (4.8 miles) in September
The Great Yorkshire Run (6.22 miles) in September
The Big Fun Run (3.11 miles) in September
The Great South Run (10 miles) in October

It’s now a total of fifteen events covering a distance of just over 100 miles, hence the title (“The Weston 100” if you’ve forgotten already). Well, actually, it’s 108 miles but I’ve stuck a few extra in there just to cover any event cancellations (you live and learn with these things – I’m covering my back this time). I am pleased to inform you that I’ve got guaranteed entry into all of these events so I’m not going to be turning around in a few weeks time and saying, oh, sorry, I’m not doing that one now. (With the exception of the Chicks Chase where I got entered into the Men’s race by mistake and I’m just waiting for confirmation that I’m in the right (i.e. the women’s) race from the organisers – but that’s another story). Sadly, I won’t be running the men’s race in that instance because I fail the entry criteria at the most basic level.

So, as you can see, the challenge has grown somewhat. It’s also got a bit more interesting, I think. For instance, the Great Longstone Fell race where the course climbs some 950 feet is going to be a lot tougher than just running around a park (which is basically what the Great Winter Run amounted to). Some of them, as you can see, are still “Greats” runs. This is for one simple reason. Those bugg... sorry, people from Great Run, don’t offer refunds and so I’m going to do the races which I’ve already entered. The others, although arguably less prestigious, are largely local events – but so what? I’ll save myself a load of time and trouble in travelling expenses. I won’t be away from the kids for so long (my husband will have less reason to complain). All of the entry fees are going back to the local community as opposed to swelling the coffers of a faceless organisation who can’t be bothered to care about a local hospital. The Dronfield 10k, for instance, benefits the local Scout Group. Theo’s Rother Valley 10k is organised by and of direct benefit to the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

I’m told I can expect snow in the Buxton half-marathon (despite the fact that it’s in May). Let’s face it – it’s all sounding a lot more interesting than it was when it was just a gentle trot down a road which has been purposely closed for the occasion. I’m embracing the new challenge. Plus, as an added benefit, entry into most of the local events is a lot cheaper than entering any of the “Greats”. As an added perk, any money I save on entrance fees I will donate to the hospital, so they’re already benefitting, despite the fact that I feel I’ve really let them down by not being able to do the runs I initially set out to do.

No, it wasn’t my fault. I was completely prepared and willing to do the runs. I was even able (I’ve even been out training in the ice and snow – yes, even when it meant that I had to slide down a particularly icy patch on the A6 on my bum to prevent myself from falling over). I can’t do what I originally set out to do because of circumstances beyond my control. It doesn’t stop me feeling like a failure though.

You can make me feel better by sponsoring me to complete “The Weston 100” (yes, new name...) at http://www.justgiving.com/valderbyshire It will show that you are “Great” enough to care about a local hospital which changes the lives of the people it cares for on a daily basis... Unlike some organisations I could mention...

And now, I must sign off. I'm off to Ebay two useless Run the Great t-shirts - all proceeds going to the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity if you're interested in bidding.