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 -
This is also what made me so proud to wear that distinctive top at Kielder Marathon #BeInspired #BeInspiring
The Charity I've done it all -
Thank you all for the donations and messages of support it makes it all worth while X
Brilliant Billy, excellent read as always and inspirational!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barry it was fun doing it..
DeleteAnother cracking read Billy!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good day it needed a blog..Cheers for the reminder
DeleteNo worries Jay..
ReplyDelete