Week 7 of 16-almost half way there-February 17th, 2012

Hi everyone-Friday afternoon and man does it feel like it (or woman, girl/boy). Raining all day with snow in the forecast for the weekend-just what we love eh? Now that you are as suitably depressed as I am, stay with me as I update you on the last fortnight of this mad journey. I've been sprinting, running, jogging ....went from 14 miles, to 15 miles for TBO (The Big One), the extra mile being uphill and ending up at very smelly cowsheds-totally inspiring and dripping wet-probably weighing an extra 4lb-saturated with rain-had to empty my shoes when I came back-actually felt at times that I was doing the steeplechase-isn't that the event they have to run through big puddles etc? But survived-2 1/2 hrs-minus one toe nail-yes the big left one has now left me-not without some intervention from a therapist-don't worry-not that bad yet-a beauty therapist had to remove it as it was clinging on for dear life-can't think why if you knew my feet:)
Anyway unfortuntately old dead toe nail must have warned any young new baby nail to steer clear of Deb Maxwell's left foot -cos none waiting there to take its place-kinda results in a rather tender situation-but hey I've been there before. As a wee treat for my legs had  physio session with Saint Declan who was quite impressed with how my ankle is holding up-the poor calf that shrunk by going through so much ankle surgery etc. is still a tad skinny but as Declan says 'it's not getting much fatter but its functional'-I'll take that!  Last week then brought more of the same: sprints, a mid week run to the Island where we had a strange cat encounter but that's a whole seperate blog:), and then was off to Manchester last Friday for the Game of Games Man U v Liverpool. So my pleasurable weekend was commenced with a 17 mile run last Sat. morning in Baltic Manchester-thanks to some manchester running clubs I found a place to run but wow it was so so cold. Not sure if I am honest that  I did 17 miles but ran for 2hrs 50 min so should have been close...up at 6am to try and eat something before taxi out to the 'country' at 7am -back at hotel by 10.30-showered and colours on before heading to Old Trafford....what a game, electric atompshere, and those poor wee legs jumping up and down with every kick of the ball (or every kick of Suarez:)) -followed by mandatory post match refreshments....= one v tired Debs by about 11pm that night. Back home Sunday and it has been a manic week at work preparing for next week's Ash Wednesday service as well as getting our bumper season guide brochure signed off! Tuesday had me sprinting-it's a lonely hour running around a synthetic pitch,  trying to pretend you are being chased by a bear to initiate bursts of speed but 7 x 800 metre-and looking back on the last time I ran 800 m a few weeks had shaved off an impressive 10 secs per 800m-Thursday's short tempo run was a cruel 8 miles but again decent time of 9.5 min mile again in the rain. 13 miler tomorrow and right now I am feeling wrecked....but sure there's nothing else for it-and I always feel good after it. I have a photo in my bedroom and kitchen of a wee chap of about 6 with those sprinting prosthetic cheetah limbs on him with a massive grin at the finishing line of a race-no legs below the knees and its so obvious he loves running! One dodgy ankle and aging body is very very minor.
And so for the big question 'Show Me the Money'-happy to have added another 500 euro to the total-now at 4500euro -just another 15, 500 to go =€1700 a week needed-yikes! However we have one local event in Pettigo planned -Take Me Out followed by dancing and music on 31st March-more detail to follow. And hope to get an event orgnasised for Castlederg...The big sponsorship campaign will be attacked after Ash Wednesday...for now that's enough to contend with.

I'll say adios for now-you all have a great weekend-eat loads, indulge a little cos remember Lent is coming very very soon
Deb

Week 5 and still intact-just! February 2nd, 2012

Hi everyone-wee bit of a lull there since my last blog on 19th Jan-Happy Belated St Brigid's Day-she who is all things hospitable -a lady after my own heart:)
 Well back to running as I suppose that's what this blog is all about-that's all my life is about these days. Do you detect a hint of cynicism?? No- just fatigue at all levels-been a hectic spell at work and trying to fit all this running mullarkey in is leaving me a tad weary. Back to the running summary-it's actually going surprisingly okay...left you two weeks ago and have in that time amassed 49 miles...in various forms between a crazy sprint session there on Tuesday night demanding10 x 400 m with 400 m jog in between-I am convinced I am going to be chosen as a wildcard entry to the Ladies GB 4 x 400m relay in London Olympics....seriously:) -Lord Coe I can make myself available. Survived two long runs of 10mile and last Saturday's longest to date-14 miles....the weather up until today has been miserable:(.  I have to admit I do suffer from SAD-clinical diagnosis by myself-bring back the beach in Borneo and I'll happily run like Forrest Gump all day. Had 5 miler today and knocked 2 mins of my last five milers which was 3 weeks ago-43 minutes for 5 miles-not so bad. Scared and nervous about Saturday's run -another mile added on -15 mile-soon I will be able to leave my TT at home and just run to work from the Derg to Lough Derg. Thankfully body is holding up-few wee niggles in ankle but seems to run itself off-and I am back to see Saint Declan on Monday just to keep on top of things.
The running has taken my mind off an awful fortnight of footie for Man U-two weeks and two cups gone..but nice to see us top of the table again-and I am off to Old Trafford next weekend-somehow have to fit a 17 miler in before I head for the flight-now that is just cruel but as long as Man U silence the whining pines of Liverpool I'll be one happy fan!
For any of you following my blog-why don't you come along to the Island on 22nd Feb-an open day of friendship for everyone...bring your sponsorship pennies with you...on that note-I know it's been a fornight and I was aiming for €1200 a week but I am proud as punch to announce the fund is now up to €3900-a further €1100 than the last total so maybe some kind mystery donor will make a donation of €100 tonight on reading this to make my week and bring it up to a nice round €4000 for the month of Jan! Go on ...you know you want to.

Well folks-its been a long day here at the office and a five mile run for my lunch so I'll say cheerio for now and wish me luck for TBO on Saturday (The Big One)...until next time