Andy's Blog 28th February 2013

Thought it was time I wrote something on here to let you know how easy this run is turning out to be (NOT!). 

To confirm, we have decided to put the run back to Sunday 21^st April finishing Saturday 27^th April at the Red Lion in Bispham.

Having been in training since September running 5 times a week, progress was good until I picked up an injury with my Fibula in December. I thought this was just a niggle but it has plagued me for the last 2 months despite copious amounts of Physio and Biomechanical Evaluations.  It has only been the last 2 weeks that I have been able to build the mileage back up on my long runs with 12 miles last Sunday.

Steve has also run into problems having picked up an ankle injury which he is struggling to shake off. The step up to the 40+miles per week seems to have taken its toll on us both.

Since I am writing this I thought I’d give a little background behind my reasons for attempting this  “mad dash”.

Last February I was diagnosed with a Malignant Melanoma which was immediately removed by a surgeon. The 3 weeks waiting for the results from the lab was by far the most difficult time of our lives. Thankfully, the outcome was positive as the Cancer had been fully removed and hadn’t spread any further. We were told in no uncertain terms that if we had been having this conversation 6 months later then it would have been a very different story. If it wasn’t for my wife Mel’s constant nagging to get the mole checked out I probably wouldn’t be here now. (If you have a suspect mole get it checked out by your doctor, better to be safe than sorry.)

During that 3 weeks there was a lot of soul searching, getting affairs in order, fearing the worst, knowing that you have worked so hard to provide a solid platform for your family only to fail them in the worst way possible, by not being there for your children whilst they grow up. This period gave me a small glimpse of what a lot of families go through in their battle against Cancer and that is why I have chosen these charities.

Within the last 2 months I have lost 2 friends both way before their time to Cancer. Paul Buschini and  

Karen Coultas RIP.

Please make our challenge worthwhile and help us by donating.

Andy

Donations Update

As you have probably read elsewhere on the blog, the target is to raise £10,000. So far, our total stands at £925 with the following kind people having donated to our funds;

Rawcliffe & Co - £300
BJFF Blades - £500
Gordon Neil - £30
Simon Clarkson - £30
Matthew Blake - £20
Graham Leslie - £20
Gwen Haggo - £20
James Vance - £5

Thank you so much to those who have contributed so far, its very much appreciated!

If you prefer not to donate in advance and would like to part with your hard earned cash in return for seeing the pain of completion on Steve and Andy's faces, we would be really grateful if you would make your pledge to Steve or Andy or alternatively drop us an email at run7in7@gmail.com with details of your pledge.

That way we can keep a running total and boost the lads by sending the message that it will all be worthwhile!

Injury Scare!

After strong training last week, I wanted to continue to push forward again this week.

I start off by planning to run 10 miles whilst overnight in Reading on Monday. I set off at 7pm and started to pound the mean streets of Berkshire. I was feeling really good and even thought about running 15 miles before common sense kicked in and I decided to stay at the planned 10 miles.

7 miles in, I came to a road junction where a car was pulling up at the same time. As I didn’t want to break my stride, I effortlessly picked my speed up to beat the Ferrari, although it was dark so it could have been a Ford Orion, but as I moved like Mo Farah, I felt a sharp pain in my left ankle. (Editorial note - probably looked more like a bloke called Mo wearing a pair of Farah’s).

I carried on in pain for the remaining 3 miles. Once back at the hotel I iced and elevated, then turned my attention to my swollen ankle. It is still swollen as I write and I’m really hoping it settles down by the end of the week. 

This run is already taking me on an emotional journey, I’m so disappointed but we have to push on!

Steve

Steve’s Week 1/2/2013

Another tough weeks training nearly complete. As the run is particularly hilly, in preparation I took to the hills in the early part of this week. As you would expect I found it extremely hard but very rewarding completing 17 miles; needless to say, coming down is far easier than going up!! 

Andy is nursing an injury at the minute so he is cross training 2 hours a day in the gym and he tells me this is mental torture! Personally I think he’s just keeping out of my way because Blackpool are having some poor results…….

This weekend, as ever, means running and more running. I plan to complete 10 miles tonight and 14 miles on Saturday. On Sunday, Andy and myself will be strength training on Blackpool beach by running up and down the sand hills. Don’t expect much sense out of me on Monday!

Thank you for all the support shown to date, particularly from those who have donated and our early corporate sponsors. Please click on the links to the right and visit their websites.

And remember, don’t be shy, if you fancy a few slow hours running let me know, company is always appreciated!

Steve

Friday 1^st February 2013