GNR and beyond, the world is my oyster.

GNR seemed so long ago now and I must apologise for the length of time its taken to update you on it.

                                                   In one word......WOW!!

 

I could leave it just there but that wouldn't be fair because I had such an amazing weekend with amazing people with amazing support.

 

To be made so welcome by Jonathan and Katy in their beautiful home with a beautiful meal cooked by Jonathan and a belated birthday cake made by Katy set the weekend off a treat. 

 

 

On the Saturday Benji and I ran the mini run and he was incredible.  He ran his little legs off and almost left me standing!! He really enjoys his running and I really hope he keeps it up.  He's certainly got sprinters legs!! Lol. He proudly showed off his medal for the rest of the day as we watched the games and sat 'people watching' whilst having our lunch.

Saturday evening was a quiet one and early to bed ready for my big day......My idea for GNR was to run the whole distance without having any recovery walks or stops.  The only thing that bothered me was that I would be running it alone. I'd never run that distance before never mind having to find the self motivation to do it on my own. I had to look back on my challenge and how lonely some of those runs had been so the iPod was at the ready and I was prepped ready to go.

We set off for the start line and Jonathan and I said our goodbyes as he was in a different starting pen (he was running it for his dad xxx) I did have some friends running it too and some were even in the same pen with me but would I find them amongst 18,000 people? I doubted it very much!!

 

Miraculously I did find Shereen, Donna and Paul who were stood only a few feet away for me. Shereen has been a wonderful running companion and has helped me tremendously through my challenge so I was delighted to be able to start the run with her.

Off we set and it became apparent quite early on that she wasn't moving anywhere but would be by my side the length of the run with the statement "Ellie I've been through most of this challenge with you, I ain't going nowhere but finishing it with you" ... Yes you've guessed it I cried!

When I started I was feeling incredibly strong, my head was in the right place, my legs felt good, I was smiling and I was on a mission. The only thing I could see was the finish line and Shereen and I talked and helped each other all the way....... Until mile 11!! We were on a hill climb my head was down and I was heading for the summit, I kept hearing "its OK Ellie I've got your back just keep going girl" from Shereen but all of a sudden it went quiet, I was calling for her, I looked behind me but I couldn't see her, I'd lost my running partner. I couldn't possibly do the last two and a bit miles without her it would be so wrong!!!

Shereen has always been the stronger runner so I decided to carry on and she was bound to catch up. I'd almost lost hope when, with about 800m to go she appeared like a little pocket rocket by my side and exclaimed, "I've told you I started this with you it sure as hell isn't beating me now..... But you've taken some catching!"

Ray, Benji and Katy were at about the same point with a banner that I didn't spot and I was completely gutted, I was looking in the wrong place for them.

They met me at the end and we waiting for Jonathan to come in. To see them was amazing, what an unbelievable experience. The time honoured tradition of bubbly was popped and we enjoyed a glass before heading over to the pub to celebrate with the rest of our friends that had travelled from Hull and completed their challenge.

What an amazing weekend, an amazing run, an amazing challenge and an amazing result! I completely smashed GNR 2013 finishing in 2:30:08 knocking a full half an hour off last years time and over 10 minutes off my all time PB!! I knew my head was in the right place but I really never expected that result, I was astounded. As I later learned, it was me that helped Shereen more on the day and I have to say to run it with her was an absolute honour, she is an amazing friend, person and run leader and I really am blessed to have her in my life and call her my friend xxx




I can tell you now after finishing the challenge that I really never expected to finish it never mind smash it!

My target was to run 300k in 6 weeks. By the end of GNR I had completed 312.5k!! (for those of you that follow miles that is just short of 200!!)

Sometimes it's not just about the people that die of horrible illnesses and diseases. I've previously raised thousands of pounds in memory of my Dad who died undergoing an aortic aneurism repair in November 2008 (and I will continue to do so!) but also we need to look upon the living. Without the research and development that goes on behind the scenes for BHF my wonderful, caring, loving, adoring husband might not have survived undergoing exactly the same operation earlier this year!


I aimed to raise £1000 if I could for my 300k challenge.......... I smashed that with the total standing at a staggering £2000 (and rising!) Thank you to each and everyone of you that sponsored not just with money but with time, love, help and encouragement without which I would not have been able to achieve this incredible challenge.

Until the next one........................????????

Els
Xxx