It's been a while...

Yes, it's been a while since my last post. Sorry. I'm sure the none of you who are following this blog with baited breath will be greatly disappointed.

Anyway, despite the silence, I have been progressing with my 100 miles. I have, in fact, completed three more events since the three lakes classic (yes, it didn't put me off - although it should have done - it would have put anyone off who was in their right mind, which I am clearly not, hence continuing with the challenge). In fact, I'm enjoying a nice cup of coffee out of my nice three lakes classic mug as I update this blog. Very nice. See, something good did come out of it.

In actual fact, rather a lot of good has come out of it (I'm not including my new and dangerous and slightly mad addiction to running). I've raised nearly £2k for the hospital (including William Hill's generous donation). I've lost a ton of weight (well maybe not a ton, but I've lost a bit) and I've found a bit more confidence. Yes, I still come in last at most of these events (particularly the events like the one I did last night where it's limited to serious runners and there's nowhere to hide - but more about that later) but I can do them. And actually, I don't disgrace myself that much anymore. Even the Three Lakes Classic (where I think I performed really badly) I didn't disgrace myself. I finished after all. I've got the coffee mug to prove it (mmm, lovely...)

I've also discovered a new love - fell running. Yes, I did my first fell race, in the form of the Bakewell Pudding Chase and LOVED it. I didn't come last and I didn't get lost (these are my two main aims in these events nowadays). I loved the fact that there was a challenge with the terrain to be met and I got a pudding. I found out afterwards that all competitors got a pudding, but never mind. In actual fact I didn't even get to eat my pudding - the kids promptly nicked it off me when I got back and scoffed it, but I don't like the Bakewell puddings anyway, so that's OK. It was definitely the best event I've done so far. It went from outside of our house. I went and registered and then nipped home and had a coffee and used the loo and didn't have to queue for hours to use some boggy crapper portaloo (last night's was still attached to the back of somebody's Land Rover on a trailer which was rather worrying - imagine towing that when it was at full capacity!) Plus there was zero travelling time home afterwards. I had this idea (this is the competitive streak coming out in me) but I had this idea that now I know the route I'd go out and practice it a bit (and next year I will be INVINCIBLE ha ha ha - sorry, getting carried away with the competitive thing there), but I thought that a bit of practice wouldn't do me any harm. Anyway, I went out and had another go (it's worth it - it's a fantastic route - beautiful scenery) Half way round the heavens opened, I had a fall, scratched my glasses (which have subsequently had to be replaced because I couldn't stand the annoying scratch right in the middle of my vision) and went over on my ankle causing it to swell up along with three of my toes. Disaster. That's where being competitive gets you. I'm not very good at the competitive thing anyway. I always think that if you are out enjoying the country, you should be able to stop and look at it - and fell racing doesn't allow time for this. So I won't be invincible next year, but I will be having a good time.

The next event I did was the Weston Park's 10k run in Graves Park. Again, another good one. I love Graves Park and the kids were able to come and play and see the farm animals whilst I did the run. We all went to Mcdonalds after for dinner (a favourite treat for my eldest son and I needed the carbs... ha ha) Plus there were loads of interesting people there. Lyndsey, the fundraiser from the hospital, the professor who founded the cancer charity, the patrons of the charity plus people who had been treated there in the past. I didn't do bad there either - i.e. sticking to the formula of not being last and not getting lost, I did alright and there were some good views over the top of Sheff to look at too.

Finally, last night, I did the 5.2 mile fell race at Stoney Middleton. (Aptly named, as it turned out - it's very stoney). I loved that too and didn't get lost or come last (although I had a worrying moment when I was running along a lane, with not a soul in sight and not quite trusting that I'd taken the right turn - but I was OK). There were some serious fell runners there and so I was pretty near the back. The terrain was really challenging too. (Very stoney, as I have said, plus some really challenging and steel climbs. Last night, I met a man who has run from base camp at Everest to Kathmandu, a woman who was training to complete her Bob Graham round, an old guy who was probably twice my age and did the run in half my time (in fact I had a very embarrassing moment when I was running up the hill and he passed me at a walk) and just about everybody in between. I was not up to their standard, but was made to feel welcome and encouraged along. What nice people. What a lovely thing to do on a sunny Thursday evening. (Tell that to my legs now - I don't usually ache anymore but I'm in pain today). I went over on my ankle again last night too and also felt that achilles tendon popping again. But I've got a break now. Summer holidays with the kids and my final two events (The Great Longstone Fell Race and the Great Yorkshire Run) in September. Two more events to go and about 10 miles left to run out of the 100.

My sponsorship page is still open at http://www.justgiving.com/valderbyshire If you'd like to sponsor me, I'd be very grateful. All money goes to the Weston park Hospital Cancer Charity who are providing valuable treatment for and research into cancer. In the meantime, even if it goes a bit quiet, I am still plodding along (plodding probably being the right word given my race times) with this.