Race number collected and Excel visit.

An exciting day yesterday.  I went to the Excel with Dave and Simone to collect my race number.  It does make things seem very real now and exciting.  It was lovely as the the cubicle I went to to collect my number was being manned by people who had previously ran the marathon for Havens Hospices.

My race number - wahoo :-)

I had my last training run on Tuesday and ran 4 miles. It was lovely as Dave and Simone were able to come out with me so I had my last training run with them which was very special.  Now it's just trying to relax and wait for Sunday.  It's not that easy when you have got into the habit of going out running.  Although I know it all gives my muscles time to recover I feel as if I should be going out.  

Sunday is going to be a pretty emotional day I think especially in view of the bombings in Boston.  Virgin have given us all black ribbons to wear which I shall wear with pride.  They will be having a period of silence as a sign of respect prior to the race start and they have announced today that they shall be donating £2 for each runner that crosses the finish line to the official Boston charity which will go towards helping the victims.  It sickens me to think that at such a wonderful time when people are at an event raising money for charity and doing nothing but good they are targeted by terrorists.  I am sure I speak for many when I say it makes us all the more determined to run.  Of course from an individual point of view I shall be thinking of those who have inspired me to run which includes my patients, my family and my friends.

I am pleased and excited to say I have pretty much reached my £1500 target if not exceded it however it would be great to see that balance continue to grow so if you would like to add to my fundraising and donate to Havens Hospices then please visit my page at www.justgiving.com/Colly-Wilks.

Many thanks.

Next time I catch you hopefully I will have my medal.  Thanks for your ongoing support,

Colette :-)

One week left - on count down!!!!

Wahooo, only one week left!!!! In fact this time next week it will all be over and hopefully I will be celebrating somewhere.  It has been very strange tapering, I almost feel as if I have been cheating as I have not run so much :-).  Weirdly though I have felt more tired and psychologically I have really had to fight to get myself out and about.

Now however the excitement has set in.  Thursday saw me down at Little Havens having a more than needed sports massage.  I have had these regularly throughout my training and personally feel they have been a great help.  A huge thank you has to go to Chris, Louise and Matthew who give their time to carry out the massages and all the funds raised go to Havens.  A special thank you has to go to Judy and her team who have done a great job at organising all of this.

Yesterday Tracy and I went to London to run/view the end of the route.  We ran 4 miles from Tower Hill and arrived roughly where we think the finish will be.  It was a great to do and the excitement started.  Notices have already gone up to let people know the roads will be closed next week and barriers are already evident.  The run was finished off with a coffee (decaff I hasten to add!!!) before heading back to Fenchurch Street to come home.  It was also great to catch up with Tracy as she ran the Milan marathon last week - what a star :-)

Today we met again at Little Havens for our final team run before the marathon.  We are continuing to reduce our miles and we ran 6 and half miles today.  We have been advised to run 3-4 miles on Tuesday and then rest the last part of the week.  It feels pretty alien not to be running so much and is going to take some discipline not to go out for a last minute run.  The Echo arrived to take some photos and Havens also took some shots.  The sun was shining today and I feel pretty happy and I have to say quite proud.

Well that's it for now.  I may touch in on Tuesday or later in the week but I'm not sure yet, otherwise I shall be catching up after the big day.  I do feel I need to wrap myself in cotton wool though as I am scared I may do something silly and injure myself :-).

Oh before I go a big thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me in my journey which has been pretty amazing and it is not over yet!!  Although I have received lots of support your continued support is greatly appreciated.  If anyone would like to make a donation please visit my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Colly-Wilks.  Thank you so much :-).

Photo taken today by Havens at Little Havens.
The lovely lady (with Tracy on her top) standing in front of me has been my great running buddy, support and encouragement on our long runs :-)

Only two weeks left to go!!!

I can't believe that this time in two weeks it will all be over and hopefully I will be celebrating. I went out for a run today and did 10 miles. It's strange how I have been saying "I only ran 10 miles today".

It was a beautiful day to run. The sun was shining and it felt like spring was in the air. Dave joined me for the first couple of miles and then I was off on my own. I ran down to the river in Hullbridge and then along the river for about a mile. It was lovely. People were fishing, feeding the swans and walking their dogs; everyone seemed to be in a happy mood and smiling which seems to come with the sun shining. I think it's the first time I've ran without my hat and coat in ages and seemed much more comfortable :).

It really didn't seem that long and I was home again. My feet seem to be aching a bit lately, but my knees felt fine and I didn't seem to be aching in my legs so overall a great run. Of course had the mandatory stretching and a relaxing bath. Now to see what the next two weeks bring :-).

Thanks for all your ongoing support.
I'll be back soon,
Colette :-) x

20 MILES!!!

Well well well, I ran 20 miles on Sunday, I really can't believe it.  I was just about coming to terms with the fact I had achieved 18 miles last week and now I have hit 20.  It stills seems strange that only a few weeks ago I wasn't really running and could not even think how I would achieve the higher numbers.

The day started early, Tracy and I met at 6 however the clocks had gone forward an hour so our body clocks really thought it was 5am and I had got up at 5am so on any other weekend it would have been 4am.  It was still dark as we started off but didn't take long for the sun to be up and we were met by a lovely sunrise.  The sun always adds to the good spirits.  It was still cold though however nowhere near as cold as last week and no snow to speak of this week which was a refreshing change.

As we arrived back to our cars both Tracy and I had big grins on our faces, it was an overwhelming sense of achievement.  I have to say that grin stayed on my face all the way home and for quite a while afterwards.  Of course none of this comes without aches and pains so stretching and a hot bath were the order of the day for me, although I have since found out that a hot bath is not the best thing to do after a long run.  For me though it is lovely and not something I couldn't easily give up :-).  My knee seems to be holding up and although irritating and aching at times seems to have improved and has certainly not go any worse so I am hoping it continues that way.

So 20 miles have been completed and now is the time for tapering.  That is the longest run I will do now before the marathon.  It feels strange and a bit scary that the next really big run will be the big day on 21st April.  So now is the time to reduce the intensity without getting too complacent and hopefully keeping injuries away.

It is now the time to be excited and I really am :-)

That's it for now.
I'll be back soon.

18 miles today, wahoo.

Today was a tough day to run but a great milestone.  I went out with my running buddy Tracy and we managed to clock up 18 miles.  It wasn't the easiest run in the world but we go there.  We met up just after 6.30 and headed out in the snow and wind.  Initially I thought I might not get far, my knee has been playing up and I was worried it was going to cause a problem however after the first couple of miles I got into my pace, my knee settled down and we faced the weather.  Often along the way we questioned our madness however soon realised we wasn't on our own when we passed several runners (we didn't overtake pass them, they were running in the opposite direction!!).  The ground was slippery in places so a careful step was needed.  Although it was difficult we soon (well it felt like soon) reached 9 miles and turned around to head back.  Some of the return run felt easier but some felt harder and some roads felt like they had grown.  The snow stopped for short time but kept on coming but we soon reached the final two miles and as usual these were the hardest but we kept going and finally reached our target of 18 miles.  I have to thank Tracy again at this stage as I am sure I wouldn't have done it without her company and support.  I have to say initially saying 18 miles was just a number however it soon sunk in how far we had run and how much we have achieved over the weeks.  I for one was more than chuffed and still can't believe I have managed to get that far :-).

We arrived back at the car, cleared the snow and headed back home.  I phoned my daughter before arriving back and asked her to start running a bath.  After stretching a relax in a hot bath was just the ticket.

Next week we are hoping to run 20 miles, lets hope it's a success.

The training, let alone the Marathon, has been a real challenge, if you would like to sponsor me please go to my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Colly-Wilks  - money raised will go to +Havenshospices (http://www.havenshospices.org.uk/) which is not only a great cause but a cause that is close to my heart.

I would also at this stage like to thank my wonderful husband Dave who initially started training with me however due to injury had to pull out.  He is now getting back to running however feels quite despondent that he hasn't been able to run with me and support me. He has however been a massive support, encouraging me all the way and saying the right words when I am moaning because I ache :-). I have missed running with him and will be glad when we can get back to running together.

Thanks for reading and your support.
Catch up soon, Colette :-)

Half Marathon Completed and Successful Fundraising Night

I can't believe how quickly the time is going.  On Sunday it is only 5 weeks until the marathon.
Last Sunday I completed the Milton Keynes half marathon.  It was a tough old run; it was cold and snowed pretty much all the way around.  Having said that it was a pretty route and we got to see parts of Milton Keynes that we didn't even know were there.  It's not all just roundabouts, there are some really lovely places.  I was fortunate enough to run with our friend Matt who encouraged me all the way around.  It must have been really difficult for him as he really had to slow his pace down to run with me.   Dave and I stayed up in Milton Keynes the night before.  My daughter told me that unfortunately she couldn't come as she had plans and that she would see me when I got home to celebrate mother's day.  Well not only was I met at the finish line by my husband Dave, Matt's lovely wife Laura and their adorable daughter Robin but my daughter had made a surprise journey to Milton Keynes and met me at the finish line with a lovely bunch of flowers.  I was pretty emotional crossing the line as it hadn't been a particularly easy run (the first 5 miles had been ok :-)) but when I saw Simone I was really emotional and happy as it was so unexpected.  Unfortunately since the run my knee has been playing up however it seems to have improved a lot now and I have managed to get out tonight and have a run.  I have really missed it and felt twitchy not being able to get out - that is from someone who used to say "I can't run".

Waiting to start, Milton Keynes Xscape was full of waiting runners.  

Matt waiting to start.

Waiting to start, the atmosphere was starting to buzz!

Simone meets me at the finish :-)

A little emotional :-)

Yay we did it!!!

Last night saw the fundraising meal at Panchos mexican in Rayleigh which was a great success.  A total of £430 was raised, this was due to the support from friends and family, generous donations from various companies and the great company.  I shall list the companies at the end and put their links.  The food was delicious and the staff were great.  The raffle was popular with several prizes, including a ride in a train cab, a photo shoot, sports vouchers, hairdresser vouchers and zumba vouchers.

At this point I have to say thank you to my lovely husband and daughter for working together in arranging for me to undertake the "cinnamon challenge".  For those of you who do not know what this is it involves taking a spoonful of cinnamon and swallowing it with as much dignity as possible.  What actually occurs is a complete drying of the mouth and an inability to get rid of the aforementioned cinnamon......oh yes and dignity is completely lost!!  My understanding is that the measured amount is a teaspoon but no that is not good enough I have a heaped desert spoon.  It is probably one of the most unpleasant experiences I have ever had however this tasked raised an extra £30 so worth every moment of discomfort.  Of course there were many willing volunteers who took videos just to ensure my undignified act was shared :-).  I am therefore going to try to upload one onto here.  I said right at the start of the blog that I would be willing to do pretty much anything to raise money including making myself look daft and I think the video proves it!!!  My fundraising is doing well however I am still a way off my target so if you would like to sponsor me please visit by fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/colly-wilks.

The evening was busy and kept me on my toes but I have to say I had an absolutely fantastic evening.


Special thanks to everyone involved in making the evening such a success and special thanks to the following for their generous donations.

Sarah from +SND Photography  http://www.sndphotography.co.uk/
+Original sports  http://www.originalsports.co.uk/
+Snippers Hairdressers http://www.facebook.com/pages/Snippers-of-Rayleigh/160520373963354?sk=info
Zumba classes - details to follow.
+C2C http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/

And Panchos for a great evening and for holding charity events - http://www.panchoscantina.co.uk/

The icing on the cake today was to find out I had made the local paper yesterday :-)

A very proud moment seeing this :-).

Painful week, oooo aaaargh ouch.

Well less than 7 weeks to go now. Sunday showed just what a challenge I am facing. I ran 15 miles with Tracey and I have to say it wasn't easy. The last 3 miles were really tough and it was sheer determination and Tracey's encouragement that kept me going. When I arrived home I thought I may have had to stay in the car as it wasn't easy to even walk. I then walked around like an old woman for the rest of the day. Monday was a rest day however I still had aching muscles to remind me of the day before. Yesterday I still ached a bit but managed a 4 mile run. It is a good feeling knowing I now just 'pop out' to do a 4 mile run whereas it wasn't that long ago that it was a real challenge. Today my legs just feel worked :-). I am having a sports massage tomorrow so looking forward to that. Sunday we are off to Milton Keynes for a half marathon so I am hoping I have prepared well for it.

I've arranged a fundraising meal on 14th at our local Mexican so hoping that will be successful. If you are interested in coming please let me know. The training is becoming more intense now so I am thinking that the bigger fundraising events I shall leave until after the marathon now. Having said that don't forget if you would like to sponsor me you can visit my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Colly-Wilks

Thanks for your support and popping by.
I'll be back soon.
Colette