Deb Maxwell

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

2012-02-17T07:46:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

Week 3-Still hanging in there-January 19th, 2012

2012-01-19T02:31:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone-weekly blog a wee bit late this week-it's been hectic at work-season plans, budgets, staff reviews-fun, fun, fun! Running is actually proving a nice distraction from all that serious stuff. Where did I leave you last week-that's right it was last Tuesday -sprint day-surpisingly the longer sprint of 1200 m was better than the 400m-this one's a real mental challenge as you gear up in between each sprint...but the G3 pitch at Castlederg High School is fantastic-pity i couldn't run the whole marathon on this type of surface-it's how I imagine the Moon would feel-really airy and spongey-good for these aging limbs:) The dreaded Thursday tempo run -out the Lough Derg run -five miles was better than the 3 miler the previous week-think the road is better-less hilly and one I know only too well. As I recounted last week, Saturday's long run had to be postponed due to 'christmas' festivites for Lough Derg staff on friday night-good wee nite-but long run was never going to happen on Saturday-purely for reasons of tiredness! What do you mean you don't believe me??? Anyway Sunday's 13 miler-a half marathon was completed in 2hr 8 minutes-jeez that's a long time to be out on the road-Maureen who works with me had heard about my crash and burn the previous long run when my bdy just sagged after it-her sister Rosaleen does lots of running and so I got a lovely 'care' package in the post on Friday from Rosaleen-with all sorts of advice, and some gel packets. Tried one of these at the half way point of the run and it seemed to help-felt much more myself after the run and got some food in me as soon as I came home-all a learning curve to see what your old body needs. Monday gym followed by wee session with my physio-Saint Declan as I call him (no blasphemy intended but this guy really did miraculous work on an ankle that was totally wrecked) was glad to see me-just a wee precautionary session to keep legs limber. He reckons I should be aiming for 4hrs-I laughed and reiterated that the aim is to get around this thing-intact! Deb of Old with her very competitive nature would not have been content unless she was on Paula Radcliffe's tail:) Now I am happy to finish healthy. The wisdom of age....boring eh? Tuesday's sprint session demanded 800m over and over again....strangely my last one the quickest of all...today I have the Thursday Tempo run-a short run of 7 miles at lunchtime-yes 7 miles-I really must double check the programme -that sounds way too long! And as weekend looms-I have a ten miler to do on Saturday morning but looking forward to wee weekend then in Westport! And the best blog news of all-I predicted an average of €1200 a week to make my €20,000 target-well I am up to €2800-brought in an extra €1200 this week. Thank you so much to all those pilgrims who have sent donations and kind words. Friends and family...watch out-I'll be chasing you soon-and all this sprint training means I WILL catch you:) Have a great weekend..until next time; keep healthy

Week 2 of 16 on this crazy journey-January 10th 2012

2012-01-10T04:20:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, evidence that I survived Saturday's long run is right here in front of you in the form of my blog-what do you mean someone else could be posting it...no it's me in the flesh-well me, on the keyboard. Saturday's 12 miler done and dusted....hang on not so quick, I want, no I need, more than one line to recap that ardourous trek-time escaped me during the week, and so I didn't find a different route than the last Saturday's ten miler-so off I went last Saturday up the Kilclean road-again-and all the hard bits from previous week were once again difficult (that first three miles is not for me...what to do on that one??? Answers on a postcard to 'SheWhoHatesFirstThreeMiles', Lough Derg, Pettigo, Ireland) -anyway reaching the six mile turnaround point was not awful-unfortunately Roads Services must have tilted the road to about a 30 degree angle for the return 6-7mile-tough, tough, tough-huge thank you to, I think, Pilgrim and Local Gerl, Jo Lynch, who beeped her horn like a mad woman while I was on my 6-7 mile return journey-really spurred me on (momentarily) but was sure she'd have turned the car around and cheered me on the whole way home-but I guess she was going shopping to McElhinneys on a Saturday morning. The rest of the return wasn't too bad-stupidly brought a little hand-held water carrier with me on this run filled wtht diluting orange juice in it-no no no-not to be recommended. Got home 110 minutes after I left-glad to be done-that's a massive understatement but there's so many superlatives and there's 14 weeks to go-no doubt tougher weeks so we'll save them! Home and stretched I then hit a massive low...energy sources were depleted-two little bananas for breakfast just didn't cut it-was now 2pm and couldn't eat anything-not feeling too hot at all:( Have in meantime read up a little on nutrition and as a Veggie Runner (no wisecracks please) I'll need to watch this one carefully-get in the right balance of carbs etc-there's a minefield of opinions out there-but will try and at least get some kind of sports drink for this week's long run of 13 miles and see how I hold up. One massive mercy in it all-ankle holding up okay. Last week's 3 miler on Thursday was not pleasant -left me feeling quite disheartened but few friends have since advised me not to worry too much on this one. Hit the gym last night for spot of cross training-how enjoyable-seriously just be doing my normal routines of cross trainer and bit of weights-I can see Mondays being my new favourite day of the week. Today, Tuesday is sprint day-thankfully no hailstones-but the laps today demand 1200 metres-4 times...yikes! Bring it on.....Thursday's 'tempo' run -still not really grasping that principle, is 5 miles so will be running out the Lough Derg road from office at lunch time-and thankfully have found a new route for the long weekend run which takes me up to 13 miles (half way there). Might not happen until Sunday however as we have our 'Christmas' staff dinner on Friday night-enough said! Another few-yes only a few, donations this week but up to a fantastic €1600 approx-only need to average €1200 or so a week to make my target of €20,000. Words of support or advice.....or indeed any words, funny words, silly words, kind words really are making a difference. Until next week...

Happy New Year-5th January, 2012

2012-01-05T02:13:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, hopefully you all had a happy and healthy Christmas and unlike last year managed to leave the confines of your house and get out and about visiting friends and family. Well I guess I should talk about marathons-not Santa and mince pies:) -however good both may be! Kind of had a eureka moment on 30th January-well more like a panic attack thinking as we neared the end of 2011 that 22nd April was fast approaching. Got out my new toy-iPad and frantically started googling 16 week marathon training programmes-I had pretty much written off my earlier efforts in Sept, Oct as purely base training what with the little injury to my foot and chest infection setbacks-so starting afresh-clean slate and all that. Thankfully found a programme which I hope will do the business-that is if I adhere to it. However as I was transcribing it from screen to notebook-suddenly dawned on me that it started the very next day-New Year's Eve-how cruel is that-worse again it started with a ten mile run.....however I thought now or never and the chosen hydration methods over the festive season (not lucozade or water) would have to suffer sooner or later. So wrapped up I headed off on Saturday morning last-managed the ten miles in a respectable 90 minutes. Ankle etc all held up well. The programme consists of: Tuesday speed training, Thursday tempo run (short fastish one) and Saturday long run with a day or two of cross training in between so I'll do the gym one day and maybe bike or just give Thor, a very vigourous walk. Now people when did you last sprint?? For me it was at uni-not today or yesterday-I thought in my naivety that because the speed session is short it would be a breeze-well there was a breeze -more like a gale force wind this Tuesday and battering hailstones-400metres -sounds okay-but 8 of them-tough tough session. It changes each week and I don't even want to remind myself what next Tuesday's builds too. Today I have the short fast run of 3 miles only-should beo kay if the weather would just settle a bit-so that's what I'll be doing for my lunch break-at least there is light-I am realising now the Dublin Marathon might have been an easier race given that you are at least training in 'summer' months-well irish summer! Anyway no point dwelling on that. This Saturday's long run calls for 12 miles-tired at tht thought of it-but will do a wee drive around tomorrow to find pleasant flattish route and try and enjoy the peace and quiet-who am I fooling?? Thankfully spurred on my a few more donations -approximately €1200 at this stage and will be working on fundraising strategy in February to really try and boost the cause. For now wish me well for Saturday's run-today's should be okay-any words of encouragement-even the odd 'You're mad' will keep me smiling and if you have any training tips etc. would also be much appreciated. Until the next time....Debs

She's back! Dec 22, 2012

2011-12-22T02:12:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone

Sorry for the long absence-I haven't abandoned my plans to try and nail this marathon. Just notice my last blog was Nov 7th-tut tut! Had a bad chest infection first few weeks in November really knocked me for six. Then went on holidays--summer holidays are always late if you work at the Island-something to do with thousands of pilgrims needing looked after:)
I went to Borneo-little Island off Malaysia. Had a great holiday-beautiful resort, minutes away from Orangutan Sanctuary-they have got to be the coolest animals-let's all make effort to look after such creatures before they become extinct! And the major highlight climbing Mt Kinabalu (4100metres)-highest mountain in SE Asia, 20th highest in the world, and just 8 below Everest-INSANE, MADDEST thing I have ever done-and there's been a few! So tough-two days of grueling climb but so rewarding and I now know that I WILL complete this marathon...so many mental walls were hit and overcome that I do believe now that I will make it around London's 26 miles. After 40+ hours of travelling got back home 12th Dec-straight back to work the next day (not to be recommended) and back to snow and ice. My daily beach runs seem a million miles away. But managed to get out Monday and Wednesday lunchtime just for 6k each but after the sickness and jetlag etc I feel I am back on track. Hopefully do 10k this weekend-before Santa comes.
What has really inspired me was getting almost €300 sponsorship money in the post this week -just another €19, 700 to go-we can do it!

Long overdue blog

2011-11-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone
The almost 3 week absence wasn't a result of me doing some intensive altitude training somewhere hot-maybe soon! No I seem to have been plagued lately-firstly by injury to my foot which kept me out for 2 weeks and just as it was starting to come around and I was able to run on astroturf-and feeling good-I have been struck down by flu and chest infection-knocked me for six-off for a full week from work and only firing on about 1 cylinder yet-so I wish I could tell you I was now cruising at 12 miles regualarly but the old system has taken a battering. Hopefully another week finish up my medicaiton etc, plenty of rest and maybe by next weekend I can try a little jog....keep you posted. The faith is still strong however..and I WILL be ready for April 22.
Donations still most welcome:)

Running in your bedroom slippers??

2011-10-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone-well not alot to report-very slow transition back to the training programme since the well lull with the foot problem. Ran on the swamp, also known as Mitchell Park this day last week-felt okay-but wasn't too far; got a chance then to run on the 3G astrotruf pitch at Castlederg High School on Sat-ran for an hour-wow it's like running in your carpet slippers:) What do you mean you've never ran in your carpet slippers-you get the idea-....so not sure what kind of distance but reckon I will get another two sessions on that this coming week and see how the foot holds up before I revert back to my training programme....few more wee sponsors this week...just a few but still will be campaigning hard after Christmas....until the next time..

She's back!

2011-10-11T01:27:00.000-07:00

Hi there-well a week on and 2 more physio sessions and lots of rest (v difficult) I have permission from Declan, my physio to try a few laps on grass pitch tonight and see how the foot holds up-26 miles seems a long way from a few laps but I guess I'll have to be patient. Hopefully be back on the road by the weekend so we'll see how things go then.Maybe the sun will have came back by then-or at least the rain stopped!
Til the next time

Marathon on Hold:(

2011-10-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone
Nearly a week since the last blog....wishing I could stall things and come back with a bright and cheery blog but alas not to be...foot was sore all last week-never really eased-tried to take it easy at the weekend-even pampering these road weary paws with a pedicure....very nice-first one ever:) Ran on Monday 6 mile -sore every step of the way-and very sore then yesterday-went to see my physio last night-he fears it might be a stress fracture of the metatarsel? somewhere along the outside of the foot:( I will know more tomorrow when I go back to him-praying that it is just tendonitis; after 2 years of regular physio after surgery I was hoping I was done with this kind of pain and physio...but this marathon challenge is bigger than I thought and 4 operations later, my foot may be saying 'Are you kidding?'-any wee prayers to get me back on track would be appreciated-feeling pretty miserable-have school retreat today with 50 students from Castleblayney-great bunch but on my feet all day despite physio's orders to rest and ice!!
Keep you posted soon

Ouch! Sore foot:(

2011-09-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hi there-well it;s thursday-we are in the midst of an overnight school retreat at the Island with 50 great students from Bray. My foot that reported as saying was sore on my last blog hasn't eased up.I ran on treadmill on Monday-just 40 mins (nearly 5 miles)-sore with each step-what's the verdict-to run through pain or to rest-my old karate head of no pain no gain is still my core philosphy:) Not so wise perhaps-foot been very sore since-on my feet all day yesterday with this group until 11pm last night-one very puffy ankle going to bed-rubbed on a bit of magic thai oil-felt good-and then a mountain hike with them in the wilds of Donegal this morning-beautiful hike but more ankle bashing....what to do-maybe rest it this weekend-skip the long run -or try the long run and see if it eases....keep posted to see what this rookie marathoner attempts!

Monday 26th September-blue skies:)

2011-09-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

Hi there-well enjoyed my first weekend off since May....ended up doing the long run not on sunday as I predicted but Thursday as it was a beautiful day-8 miles again-in 74 mins-5 mins quicker than last week-it went okay-will try and scout out a new 9/10 mile route this week to do at the weekend. Ran then again on Saturday morning, despite my right foot-not even ankle being very sore?? Just a wee 4miler-foot didn't really improve-wee bit worried but we'll see. Walked then in the afternoon about 3 miles-foot didn't really ease....rest on Sunday-courtesy of open fire and double dose of X Factor (UK & USA)!
Intend to do 5mile later today-but will just have to see how the foot holds up.
Was delighted to get my first sponsorship the last few days of the retreats-and cheque for £26.00 today:) This will definitely help keep me motivated.

Windy Wed

2011-09-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hi wednesday since I started training a few weeks ago has been my 'long' run -still not very long-but now that I have weekends back after 20 weekends of pilgrimages and retreats I am going to change that to a Sunday-had physio yesterday -needless to say Declan who painstakingly worked at my rather decrepid ankle for 18mths is not entirely over the moon about this decision of mine to run a marathon-or try to...but he'll keep me right. He was surpised at how still underdeveloped the right calf is compared to the left:( but time will help. Filled me full of a little dread when he says in his experience of treating marathon runners the body tends to break down in training when they reach the 15-18 mile mark. Hoping to do a 9 miler this weekend-so I should be okay for a few miles yet:)

Wet Monday-2nd last day of the Season

2011-09-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Due to do a wee 4 miler today-pretty wrecked from a long week last week-no days off:( and very busy weekend here at the Island ..and I think I am getting a cold....I know excuses excuses excuses...but I went to our little Island gym while pilgrims were in Mass and did 4.5 miles:) Job done for today....first session with my physio tomorrow just to keep this ankle in check

Day 1

2011-09-18T04:07:00.000-07:00

Hi well first time blogging, first time attempting a marathon-going to try this blogging to try and keep me motivated-figure if even one person is interested in hearing about my progress-it will keep me somewhat accountable to getting this thing done!
Big question-why am I doing this marathon? Well always wanted to do one before I was 40-that timeframe has elapsed by a year-but one silly little accident caused undue havoc with my right ankle-a break, ruptured ligaments-4 surgeries and an awful lot of pain, physio, and money (surgery is v expensive) has got me back on my feet...what kept me going through all the torturous physio (sorry Declan but you were tough task master) was the need to be able to run again-and so I can-a little...ankle about 80% -what better way to be thankful for all that is to run for miles and miles ( I feel a Proclaimers song coming on:)...this is my 10yr at Lough Derg-10 good years-so many ups and downs but mainly ups...this is a way of saying thanks, counting my blessings:) and raise some much needed cash for the place....so voila here I am about to embark on what I know will be a tough journey but hopefully rewarding. I am also running to raise money for kids who will never walk again-kids with disabilities to allow them to get into sport-I will try and keep this updated regularly