Kielder Marathon & Friends

I said I wouldn't do another Blog as I've not done a Test Week March or Fan Dance recently. 

That said I'd be doing Avalanche Endurance Events and some of their patrons & my friends a disservice if I don't. So I'll not bore you with my breakfast or my training but the good parts of a fantastic day with great friends.

 4th of October location - Kielder Marathon Northumberland the jewel of the North East - I park my car one row behind my friend and fellow Fan Dancer John "Machine" Hunter of BBC Hell Week fame ( none of that has gone to his head by the way ). Great handshakes and smiles all round, he shares with me a coffee and we talk about the great weather and what's in store #pain 

We sort our kit bags out grab our Bergen's both 45 - 44lbs respectively and board the bus. We arrive at the Events village about 09:00 get our bags in holding bays then get booted up. The Bawbags are ready only waiting on a fellow Fan Dancer to arrive. We make our way about the Events Village.

It's not long before my friend with me is spotted by his fans - you see them pointing going is that him it is isn't it - do you mind if we get our photo taken with you they ask - yes he replies with his warning smile. So I take some photos for them which I enjoy as I get to rib him later on. I check my watch where's Owen I'm asking myself he should be here with coffees. 

John was even asking what could've happened to him, I did explain that he'd finished work and would be driving straight up so should've been here before us. More fans spot John you were my favourite they'd say as they pass me the phone - you don't mind no not at all I say  - I'm killing myself laughing inside though as it's more ammo to fire at him ( Rob Paine would love this I thought ). 

We get interviewed by a guy with a video camera - sorry I get nudged out of the way as "Hunter" takes over ( howling here true story ). Owen eventually arrives as we're both mid - interview all is good now. I'm thinking bloody hell he's sweating like a Sunderland fan, so he tells us what's happened - we kill ourselves laughing then shake hands. 

We quickly make our way up to the Start area we go into the sub 5hrs group - we meet some cracking people in here a bunch of guys from Wisconsin USA. A lady who's run the Transilvania Marathon - yes you guessed it another fan of Johns another photo. The Start is delayed that many people still making there way. Then it's said over the Tannoy - only the sun shines on the righteous we laugh loudly. 

Boooom it's showtime gents rolling start ok guys I say, man I should know better I don't do that. Neither does Owen by the looks of it he's off like a rocket, hard to imagine as his Bergen was heavier than both of our Bergen's individually. The reason I know I lifted it before the Start so did our American running friends. We pass a photographer I'm starting to pull away I'm in my stride ( the zone ). A little distance between us now at the 3 mile mark - I'm not racing my friends I'm just doing what I do my own thing. 

John catches me this guy is phenomenal as lot's of my friends know though, but to be 10yrs my senior and still smashing this out tells you it's own tale. We laugh about me being his PA and wondered  how Owen is doing as he'd dropped back a little, we thought it was because he was going so heavy but admired his ability to do it. I noticed my Garmin wasn't playing ball and missed the first 3 mile. We push each other on the words of encouragement from runners was unreal ( thank you all ). 

He's got Marshmallows and or feathers was a favourite to which our Bergen's where full of. Hit the 10 mile mark and boom under Para 10 P Coy time of - 1:50:00. I told John he was happy with that but bloody hell it was a hard old slog here, up down up down up down. John went Billy look up ahead and bugger me I near fell over - a man I greatly respect DS Stu Bigg. He jumps down asks how we are feeling - said we're doing good time and takes a quick photo for us both.

 

He asks for Owen we tell him he's a little behind, so he said he'd stay to see him also - no other Events Company would do that Tough Mudder - Spartan you name it they simply wouldn't - this is what makes Avalanche Endurance Events a breed apart #AlwaysALittleFurther

This gave both of us a burst of energy as we crack on at a good pace, we push each other on backwards and forwards. We both are thinking how Owen is doing I just know it, you look out for each other that's what you do. Stu appears again further on we're slower a little by now but he's happy to see us and tells us to keep going - we ask about Owen he was 7 minutes behind us and soaked through with sweat. Up down up down up down it continues but bloody hell it's stunning running here in this place. 

We reach the Dam wall it's the only bit of flat ground on the whole course and it's road & pavement for about 1 1/2 mile give or take. Both me and John are feeling it my left shoulder was hanging for about 5 mile. We quickly March this bit we're slightly on edge a bit as it's flat open and thinking Stu is watching us ( I'm thinking he'll give us sickeners for not running this bit ) John laughed as he knew he would. I heard John go bloody hell - low and behold beside him is Owen ( the Ghost ). 

I never swore much that day honest but fuck me I swore then - how in the good name of fuck did you catch us with that on your back?! Stu had met him and said we was a little in front, then a runner he'd passed had told him we'd not long passed him. He saw us and went for it - bloody hell he wasn't joking me and John where stunned at how quick he'd caught us. I knew if Owen you see we both did the Winter Fan Dance Back to Back - I tabbed a good part of it with him a solid athlete. 

We ran passed the Start Line for the first Kielder Half Marathon - Owen pushed us both on here he told me we could still make sub 5 hrs. I said I'm with John we've come this far - John said bollocks that Billy go for your time mate - Owen reminded me I was doing it for Charity. I never looked back Owen pushing me hard to about the 21 mile mark. I felt a new lease of life my second wind a little, picking of others in front. I kept feeling bad though about leaving John he came up here to help support me and challenge himself. 

Mile 24 I was spent a real struggle to run on the flat the downhills I was ok though. Backwards and forwards we'd passed the same two women from Swallwell Running Club for a good bit of the marathon - the banter had been good but by this time we couldn't speak. Everybody I met and passed was hurting in their own way. Then I saw the last 800 metres sign - it was time to suck it up and puff out my chest I was wearing my 100 "Peaks" Challenge top - be proud. 

Hand slapping a wee boy sprinting to the finish and low and behold here was Stu on my left shouting me on. Billy stand beside the clock I'll take your photo he shouts - I get my medal for my son wee Jake and go see Stu we shake hands and wait but not for long - Owen then John both getting their photos taken - then one of the three of us. We get a lovely cup of tea brought over to us by Stu in the changing tent.

 We make our way up to the car which Owen said was 1/2 a mile away. Stu says his goodbyes to us all - we all thank him for his great show of support for the three of us. We take the piss out of Owen bloody hell mate where's this motor like - luckily two women take pity and gives us all a lift to his car over a mile away. 

You never know what you're capable of unless you seak it out - without these Events I wouldn't have done this fact. It changed my life for the better - 

http://www.specialforcesevents.com/iron-man.html?typography

This is also what made me so proud to wear that distinctive top at Kielder Marathon #BeInspired #BeInspiring 

http://m.100peaks.co.uk/

The Charity I've done it all - 

http://www.soldierscharity.org/

Thank you all for the donations and messages of support it makes it all worth while X 

Fan Dance 2 #24hrs

While I was waiting for John Nicholson getting his arse of the Fan after his first lap of 4 in 24hrs, I cut about congratulating everybody on their times. Rob ( I'm not feeling it )Paine smashing it in 2:57:00 odd, bloody unreal time he just can't help himself I think. Mike Smith 2:38:00 some people can't even do that running normal, I've only another 1hr to shave off my time..

John come down of the Fan, I saw him and his wife Debs and told them I was ready, he knew where to find me after he recovered. I spoke to Karl as he was beaming another PB, Phill Williams my partner from Point to Point another PB, he's quick but not the sharpest at reading the T - shirts we had on show.

 I had asked John if I could do his 2nd lap Clean Fatigue the wk before, his reply you feckin lightweight, so I told him to fuck off in reply. I got the call I'm ready bawbag, I told Karl I was hoping to back for 7-8 pm cool he said as I was wanting a healthy feed and some laughs. Clean Fatigue wasn't exactly true I had a More Mile Baselayer on I swear by their kit, it's never let me down yet, a pair of jean shorts and my Paramo Velez smock. I looked like a tramp but I wasn't giving a fuck! 

We set off up the incline and I'm almost certain I heard one of the DS say where's he going, anyways nobody could stop me I had made a promise to my friend. We met Gerald Nick McCarthy coming down, the first I'd saw him all day, he was amazed at Johns Challenge and shook his hand and mine, we got our photos taken with him and his big mate. Gerald was hurting he tore his calf muscle again, yet here he was wishing us all the best for our trip out. 

Humility is a rare and wonderful thing, he was hurting as he knew his FD days are near over, but yet here he was beaming for for us giving us a firm handshakes, so off we went smiling after that. We soon made our way up to the kissing gate, John was in good spirits we got to have a right good laugh at Buttercup1 and the rest of the Bawbags recapping some of the banter that had passed. We spoke about how me and John first started that little band of nutters. 

We soon pass where MST1 was positioned, I talk to John about his crazy Challenge and what it means to him and why, he really is a cracking man. I was telling him that what he's doing has raised the bar for others. He can't grasp this as he says he's slow and not very quick like others me included, I tell him that he's smashed his comfort zone regardless of Fan Dance times! I explain the best I can without getting a bit arsey, it's not always about time it's the effort put in..

I continue to tell him that he's the craziest bastard I know, well not counting Rushen because he's another basket case for insane challenges. I told John that I couldn't do what he was doing, my traps were killing me, it was a relief to have my Bergen off fact. Telling him that even the quickest of cats like Mike Smith and Rob wouldn't even be mad enough to go out again. John then tells me about his Achilles problem with it scarring I'm stunned by this, he's kept it a secret and not let it hamper his efforts. 

We hit the summit and go down Jacobs, I'm talking to John and he's listening bless his cotton socks his ears must've been on fire.. He takes his Bergen off the stretch his hips out and back on again, we talk about all sorts on the way to turnaround point. The topics family - dreams - children and fears, it was during one of these talks that I had to look away, the tears running down my face. 

I change the subject back to fitness and stuff, hoping he hadn't noticed that I'd sprung a leak. We hit the Roman Road, he goes over on his ankle and winces in pain, I ask you ok mate - gritted teeth yeh I'm fine?! Just before we hit the Forest track he stops to do some admin to his feet, a little blister but annoying all the same. We hit the RV and low and behold the Brokeback Boys - James Nicholson and Matt Borders. 

I help James fill up Johns Camelpak with water, I get a banana off James as I was fucking starved and only had an energy replacement drink. I use the term banana very loosely it was the driest thing I've ever tasted it was shit, even Matt tried a little and his reaction alone said it all. I still ate the fucker under protest to James. He made me a cheese roll to make up for my disappointment, it was braw though the best ever.. John was struggling to get all his down, but he ate more than half of his hot meal. 

We said our farewells and I told them to keep it clean, as Matt kissed his fingers and grabbed his balls, I was crying with laughter John goes what's so funny - you don't want to know bro honest hahaha. Back along the RR and Johns pace has slowed a good bit, and the laughter has dried up now, I know where is he's in his own personal hell, nothing I can do will change his feeling inside. I could see Jacobs in the distance, my heart sank not for me I was feeling great, but for John this cunt would level the best of men, I was worried now for Golden Baws.

I still chatted hoping to break up the endless steps for John, I could see the sweat run off his face, get some fluids down you bro he did. We passed Windy Gap the pace was slowed right down now, I wanted to carry his Bergen and ease his suffering it's not nice watching a friend do that to himself, pushing to breaking point. I told John I wasn't happy that nobody was doing Lap3 with him, that's the hardest of them all, at night on his Jack. 

The mind can play tricks with you cruel tricks at that, the 3rd is the most crucial as the 4th he could do on adrenalin with ending the game. He tells me that he's struggling for the first time, that he feels sick, he burps and gets some wind up. We get to the bottom of the false summit, my second time coming this way I'm carrying fuck all though John has about 40lbs or more. Little steps bro I repeat over and over, I tell him about Staff Bigg and CT Fletcher I get a laugh at least. 

We have a visual of the top of Jacobs we stop for a breather for my mate, I was in awe of his stamina as it was the first of stops so far on the way back. Not far John now I see a bird of prey of the top of Jackbs I was gutted as my phone was dead to get a picture! We're about 4 metres from top and John stops suddenly as l stop he's ash white and he's sick. I make sure he's ok and we get to the top safely. 

Get fluids in you now John he did, we continue on he feels a little better now, he asked the time I told him, he's disheartened I could tell, I said if it takes you 30 hrs so be it. He agreed to this I didn't want to show to much concern but I was worried, I mean really worried about lap 3 now and what could happen. He was near in tears as he said he couldn't quit not now! My heart was bursting for him, he said he didn't want to let everybody down.. 

I changed the subject trying to keep him positive we cracked on, ok John just one little incline left then it's back to Debs and boots off and recover. He smiled at that thought so through the gate we start to go down, then he stumbles out of the blue, bro you ok? No he replied - what's up I said - I feel dizzy he says - I'm alarmed now ok stop for few minutes and breathe, get some fluids in you also a sweet. I tell him I'm going to link my arm to his, are you fuck he says! I'm walking backwards downhill now, as I'm worried he'll go over..

He must've had another 5-6 dizzy spells as we get near the bottom, I could see Debs she's waiting for her man, we reach Debs I take his Bergen off and tell her straight away what's happened. We cross the road over to the van, we both take Johns boots off he's destroyed physically not mentally though I thought.. He needs food and fluids Deb, but she knows this all ready, I tell her if he needs more rest between lap 3 he's to take it..

I say my farewells trying hard not to show my concern to Debs as I didn't want to put extra worry on her. 

I put the keys in the ignition at 8:00 pm and I cried in my car......