Well what a day. I was up at 5am, made sure I had a good amount of porridge and got myself ready. Although I had everything ready the night before I still seemed to be taking my time to sort myself out. I think the nerves and excitement had set in. We arrived at Little Havens to be on the coaches by 6.50 am and left shortly after.
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| At Little Havens before getting on the coach. |
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| Simone saying goodbye before getting on the coach :-). |
I travelled up with Tracy which was great as we intended to run together, which we did. I don't think we stopped talking for most of the journey. We arrived at around 8 am
The sun was shining but it was a little chilly when we arrived however it soon warmed up. I think we used the loo about 3 times before we headed to start line. Actually we pretty much got to the start line and I decided I had to make sure and go again. Bladders empty, water in hand we headed back to the start line. The air was buzzing and people just randomly talking to each other. Emotions were high. It is amazing just how many charities people are running for. The fancy dress costumes were great and added to the atmosphere.
Just before 10 o'clock the whistle blew and we had the planned 30 second silence for Boston. It was so touching and emotional. The sound went from loud talking, laughter and hub bub to silence. A very poignant moment. I can not remember seeing anyone without their black ribbon! The silence was broken with another whistle blowing and a loud cheer and I am sure many tears and lumps in throats. I can't find the right words to give that moment the respect it deserves. It was a moment of sadness but also sheer determination.
10 o'clock came and we were off. It took us 23 minutes to get to the start line and then we were able to start our run - a fantastic moment :-). The first few miles seemed comfortable and were clocking up. The atmosphere was electric and exciting. People were cheering and the bands were playing. It is so difficult to take it in but one point I really remember is coming around the corner and seeing the Cutty Sark seeming to just loom over you.
Dave had travelled up with Simone, Dan, Ross, Louise and Karen and had planned to be at 5 miles. They had also planned to meet some other friends during the day too. Although we had planned where Dave and co would be there was no guarantee that I would see them so it was with great joy that I saw Simone waving at me and quite overwhelming that there was a crowd of people there for me chanting my name and cheering us on.
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| The arch of balloons was mile 5 -you can just see me in the background with the yellow cap. I think I was telling Tracy that I could see Dave :-) |
Its amazing how having that support can spur you on. I will be forever grateful. The next time I would see them would be at 12.5 miles and that felt an age away but doable. We have done this mileage before but it soon became difficult and at about 9-10 miles I was finding it tough. It was hot, it was probably the worse weather those of us who were running could have. We had been training in the cold and snow. This was alien to us and very draining. It was difficult to know how much fluid to take on. It can be dangerous having too little and it can be dangerous having too much. The magazine went to great lengths to tell you not to drink too much as it can cause major problems so it was hard to judge it. The same with the lucozade and the gels. To little and your energy levels were in your boots, too much and you could find yourself running to the loo! When I trained it didn't just involve running it was getting used to how much water to take on board and how many gels to have. This weather threw that out of the window. It was a beautiful day but not what we had trained in. It was around 10-12 miles that I started to wonder if I would make it to the end. I was suffering physically and psychologically. I had to give myself a few talks and remember why I was doing it. My patients gave me the inspiration to do my run and remembering that spurred me on during some very low points. I also had to complete it to ensure I got over that line for Boston as for everyone of us that finished Virgin are donating £2 to the charity for the victims of the bombing.
It started to become a bit of roller coaster but we were soon running across Tower Bridge to the 12.5 marker where the first Havens Hospices post was along with my friends and family. Again an amazing feeling to see them.
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| Just come across Tower Bridge |
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| Saying hi to the family and friends :-) |
Now for the longest treck before we see them as they were going to be at the 23-24 mile mark. At times we were now having to walk as it was tough going. We were however going to finish this. It was hurting and it was hot. At one time I was dropping behind Tracy and said for her to go ahead but she never and she stayed with me which I was grateful for. Throughout other parts of the run it was my turn to encourage Tracy on and together we worked as a team. It would have been easy to carry on walking but when we did walk after a short while one of us would get the running going again. The crowds were great and encouraging as were the marshals and the people giving out the drinks and gels. When you felt it was hard there was someone there to encourage you on. The next meeting point was either 23 or 24 miles and there was no way I wanted to be seen by my friends and family walking so we had to push through those miles. We past the 23 miles and then the 24 and I thought maybe I had missed them but as we came out of the underpass I heard Dan shouting at me and he told us that the others were a bit further up. I was so glad that we ran up that underpass :-). Dan then ran off back to the others. It wasn't long and we were back with our supporters. A great feeling and not much further to go.
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| Saying hi to Simone before getting to Dave and friends. |
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| Our final meeting and not far to go now :-) |
We carried on running and then walked for a bit until we nearly reached 25 and we decided we were going to try and run it the rest of the way from here. We go to about 600 metres (or was it yards??) left to go and had to walk for a short while, there was a bridge with 385 metres (or yards oops can't remember) on it and we ran from here. As we turned we saw the finish line and then it was time to get to that line and cross it which we did at 6 hours and 26 seconds :-). It was an absolutely amazing and emotional feeling. To have finished it with Tracy was great and to have completed something I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I could do a few months ago is indescribable. A very very proud moment. Our tags were taken off and our medals received. Wow wow wow. We got our kit bags and our goodie bags and then was off to meet the family, friends and supporters from Havens.
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| Hey we're back, we've just been out for a little run :-) |
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| Shattered but proud! |
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| Eating out pink lady apples. |
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| Thanks Tracy, I couldn't have done it without you :-) |
All that hard work, commitment and training was for the above. What a wonderful journey and experience. Not only have I completed something I could only dream of but I have met some wonderful people along the way and made new friends.
At the moment pretty much everywhere aches but that is just a reminder of what a fabulous journey this has been. So many people have supported and encouraged me that I can't even begin to list them but I want to thank each and every one of you. Thank you.
A final parting message. I was inspired by my patients to take on this challenge and the worthy cause I have done it for is Havens Hospices. I have reached my target however they need every penny they can get to continue the work they do to help children and adults with life limiting illnesses. If you would like to make a donation, please visit my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Colly-Wilks.
Thanks for reading and thanks for your suport.
Love a very proud and chuffed Colette xx
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