I will write a blog, but for now, here's some Q&As...
Before listing some brief Q&As, I'm concious of lots of "I"s appearing in the text - massive recognition goes out to all those who donated to the Leeds Deaf Children cause or supported me on my runs either in person or over social media. Also, I don my cap to those who persue their or challenges and also support good causes or the local community (Farsley has many).
Did I think I would complete it?
I didn't look at it that way. I believed it to be something I should do and left it to life to decide where it took me. I just tried my best.
I saw the concept a few years ago when a friend attempted it in February (a sensibly shorter month!). I tried last year but pulled after day 19 due to near-injury but with run-leader commitments.
I trained but then decided not to attempt as considered too hard. However, as soon as I decided not to, I heard the exciting street dance opportunity was going to be lost due to a small amount of funding. So it felt like life was shouting at me to do it to raise money. "NovPlus1"...11:1
Nope. The journey was the important bit, not the last day so I needed to see where it went.
Again, not really, only in the sense of trying to work out logically how I can physically continue given the contually growing list of pains.
How do my feet feel?
Urgh. When mobile, the main pain is calves then a symphony of pains at each stage of the foot movement. When at rest, sleepless nights of even stronger pains shooting everywhere from toes to hip.
No plans to and I wouldn't normally repeat a custom challenge exactly the same. But if it felt like the right thing to do, maybe.
The fundraising was only part of it - of which I am so grateful to everyone. I now have greater confidence in making mindful choices but also my ability to achieve stated goals. The physical ability side is almost irrelevant, apart from demonstrating competence to others.
Ha! I have a stack of household things that have been sidelined. Obviously I need to finish off the Street Dance workshop/party. Also, there are Farsley Festival grants, licenses and permissions to be applied for. I will then attempt my @RunningSeeds initiative. Oh, and support the technology infrastructure and grants for Leeds-DCS and support Sweat Pledge and do more British Cycling guided rides and lend a hand with ideas for BID Services deaf club events and....
The phrase is from the financial world meaning "My word is my bond" and summarises how I go about life. Occasionally I may appear non-committal but that's because I do not believe in agreeing to something then backing out.
How did I choose my routes?
I generally don't pre-plan but have a few 'standard' routes for 6 miles, 10 miles, 13 miles which seem to go quickly as I am very familiar with them. If I want flat, then it has to be the canal, but to be honest, time goes slowly as hills help break things up. On day 26 I had a moment of near bonk and figured my body was misbehaving due to fatigue, so after that I stayed within a few miles of home so I could limp back if needed to rest.
How did I refuel?
Well I did increase my protein slightly (via milk/eggs/yoghurt) but generally just ate more - though typically pasties and pastries at Greggs! I nearly bonked on day 26 but then on the very last day at mile 24 I had a really fast crashing bonk - within half a mile I went from OK to wobbly, light headed, eyes wishy washy but managed to limp-mode to McD for a burger and hot chocolate for a recovery. I aim to eat food - I don't take supplements, pain killers and haven't used any protein powders etc.
What's my recovery regime?
Primarily, a hot water bottle! since day 8 I've constantly had a hot water bottle applied to the pains. Sometimes I put my foot in a frozen wine chiller bag thing, alternating with hot water bottle. The knobbly foam roller was used every day on the calves and thighs. Self sports-massage the best I could being totally untrained and never had one in the first place.
