An end to all this running palava!

Well we did it!! Was it easy? Did it go to plan? Was there celebrating and high fives all round when we crossed the finish line? Was there heck!!

We both did the training, ate the right things, avoided booze and did the tapering thing to keep our legs right for the big day. But one thing happened that nobody could prepare for - THE SUN CAME OUT!!!

By 9am it was 20 degrees and the sun was shining like the Auckland sun does on the East coast - hot and hard and in your face.

Jon's story
My inexperience as a first timer meant, in hindsight, I had not drank enough fluid in the early stages on a warm day. I had ran at the pace I knew from training I could sustain and enjoyed the first 20km or so. But I think the result of dehydration was by half way the legs were just starting to feel a bit more sore than I had planned. I was ready for some pain and to have to "hang on in there" but had thought that would happen somewhere around the 35km mark. Well it didn't! I was in a world of pain by 25kms and had about 17-18kms (or about 2 hours) to run when all my legs wanted to do was stop. With 7kms to go I started to get cramps in both legs and it became unimaginably hard. People were collapsing, throwing up, waving for St Johns and all kinds. It was like a scene from Saving Private Ryan! Those of you who are familiar with Tamaki Drive will know the small hill that you climb at Mechanics Bay towards Quay Street. To put my pain into context, I almost couldn't manage it. That 300 metres of gentle incline nearly broke me. It was the only bit of the course I had to walk though. Don't tell anyone but I cried at the end. I don't know why - I was just so so so exhausted, distressed and a physical wreck.  

So how do I feel now? Physically I am almost recovered after a few very sore days. Mentally, I am very proud. I missed my goal time by about 20 minutes but I reckon I endured and conquered more pain that I would have done had it gone to plan. And what's 20 minutes over the course of 42kms?! So in a way, I am even more proud of what I have achieved. I will do another one because I know I can break 4 hours - my training taught me that. I'm now off to do something I haven't done for weeks - buy some beer and crisps and sit on the back of the ferry home with the sun on my dial!! Lovely! Here is Claire's story, of whom I very very proud. Well done Claire. Love you!

Claire's story
I still can't believe that I did it to be honest, my recollection was a very busy start, I didn't expect there to be so many people and the first 3km was just spent dodging people and trying to actually run! There was so much support and I did high five any kids (or adults) who offered any potential opportunities. The route was very alien to me, and a lot hiller than MrH had led me to believe. At 8km I saw a friend and her family, she cheered so loud and that really kept me going, I was just starting to enjoy it at this point.  I didn't realise we would be running on the wrong side of the bridge either and when I turned the corner and saw the hill I did swear quite loudly and two camera laughed really loudly!! Then there were the drummers who were amazing and really spurred me on!  I did pinch myself on the bridge but I didn't stop (like a lot of people did) to take photos, it just seemed wrong. The downhill bit on the bridge was brilliant I was really enjoying it at this point but I was very hot, as we headed into Herne Bay I could of just stopped, thankfully all the supporters wouldn't have a bar of it! I got to the tank farms and so many girls were being sick, too much sun and Powerade (by the look of it) and I did give myself a pat on the back at this point. I felt so near but I knew there was a few km's to go, my legs felt so heavy and slow! As I approached Wynard Quarter I felt really emotional and started to cry, sorry to the couple having brunch, they must have wondered what was the matter!!

All throughout the race at each km mark, I had looked at the photo of me and Grandad and I asked him to keep me going! So when I saw the 20km marker it just hit me I had nearly done it, big girls blouse I am bubbling and running! I managed to regain some composure and when I saw all the people and the HUGE screen and I knew I was going to finish! So I did it. Then I it dawned on me, we hadn't arranged any meeting point and unlike other races we had done, there was a lot more people! I had my phone, so I did find my Mum, who had been patiently watching only to miss me as Mr7yo wanted to go for a wee!! I then ended up walking around Vic Park looking for Jon, I was really starting to worry if he was ok. His work had a 'hostility' tent, so I figured he would go there. On one of my many scouts looking for him, my Mum called to say he was at the tent and to come back quickly (another 2km I reckon of walking around there) he just hugged me and said "Never a ******* again!!". He looked awful and for about 10 minutes, didn't talk or look like he was with it. I got him a  water, some beer and food and eventually he perked up. We had done it, and I too, was so very, very proud of what Jon had achieved, love you heaps darling.

And in case your interested here is my eclectic playlist that I did just for that day!

Scream - Dizzee Rascal
Sandstorm - Darude
Feel So Close - Calvin Harris
For an angel - Paul van Dyk
Go - Moby
Charlie Brown - Coldplay
Tubthumping - Chumbawumba
Insomnia - Faithless
Babel - Mumford and Sons
Four Winds - The Killers
Playing with Knives - Bizarre Inc
And I Will Kiss - Underworld
Spectrum - Florence and the Machine
Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?- Moby
Hopeless Wanderer - Mumford and Sons
You've Got The Love - Source ft Candi Staton
Wow - Snow Patrol
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
The Scientist - Coldplay
Natural Blues - Moby
Super Love - Avicii ft Lenny Kravitz
Shake it Out - Florence and the Machine
Wonderwall - Oasis
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris ft Florence Welsh
One Day Like This - Elbow
The Importance of Being Idle - Oasis
Open Arms - Elbow
The Sun and The Rain - Madness
Bling (Confessions of a King) - The Killers

More importantly that all that we have exceeded $3150 for Alzheimers NZ. Thank you all for donating so generously. We are delighted with what we have achieved and hope that someone benefits in some small way as a result.

So bye for now. Wave if you drive past us one day!!

Will I 'over' share?

Well a few times I have asked myself that question, and in all honesty, the answer is probably YES! I will tweet and Facebook and over share about my dinner, the kids, MrH funnies, music, what I've watched on TV, blah blah blah, the list is pretty much endless.

But in terms of 'my' own experiene of Alzheimers, the answer is a big fat definite NO! 

"That's odd Claire" I can hear you internet people saying, "part of your goal was to raise money and awareness about Alzheimers and surely over sharing would give people an insight into what you experienced". Now here is the key part of that sentence... YOU. It would all be about MY experience.  

Out of respect and love to friends and family who are currently living with loved ones with Alzhiemers or another dementia, I feel it would be disingenuous and uncompassionate of me to share my own personal experience of the disease when each case can vary so much. When you are living with it each day, too much information and other peoples stories could just be too much to handle and deal with. And indeed, each case and situation is individual and unique to their own set of circumstances. 

And to be fair, I think we have all experienced that moment when you share some news with someone and they immediately want to "CAP" it with their story, why do people do that? When in reality all we want is to be listened to, offered friendship, love and support.

And on that note, thank you to all our lovely family and friends who have been there for me and Jon. Without YOUR help, support, donations and encouragement, I dare say we wouldn't have got as far as we have. I've been nervous about the race all weekend but a lot of kind words and support have kept me focussed.

Thank you. Big internet hugs.

Claire xx

  

 

 Me and Grandad


















http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

Tapering is fun

After a gruelling weekend of both doing our longest training runs, we are now tapering which essentially means cutting down our distances and letting our legs recover a bit before the main event. For me, its also about getting used to what my marathon pace is going to be. Running a handful of kms at the start a bit faster than I should will see me in all sorts of trouble 3 hours later. Respect the distance, have a plan and stick to it; was the wisdom my brother shared with me the other day. We all recall what happened in the Tortoise and the Hare!

It feels great knowing that all I have to do this weekend is run a cheeky little half marathon at marathon pace. Who would have thought it possible that an ex brewery sales manager/retired rugby player/100kg tubby bloke whose fondness for Guinness and rubbish food meant he couldn't ride a bike 10kms without having a breather and/or a pint, would think is such terms? I feel quite proud of myself and I know Claire feels justifiably the same. To have raised over $1300 and counting for Alzheimer's NZ is something we are even more proud of, of course.

I hope I'm not tempting fate as we both still feel a few aches and pains in places, but it looks like we are going to be fit enough make the start line, and therefore hopefully, the finish line. As I write this I am massaging a slightly sore right foot with an empty coffee mug but hopefully that's nothing major. The temperatures are climbing in Auckland now which makes things more enjoyable. Trotting along Tamaki Drive on a lunchtime when it is sunny and 20 degrees with the azure ocean glistening to your left is quite simply the greatest feeling ever. I hope that feeling of euphoria stays with me when I am passing the 39km marker on the same road in 2 weeks time!

Over and out

Mr H


http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

Why we don't talk about dementia?

It's not all running here! Honest.

Seriously, I do want to share and discuss something which I think is a real social stigma. Why don't we discuss or talk about Alzheimers or any other form of dementia? I don't know all the answers to this question, although I do have a few ideas. Having read this report (link below) it is fair to say it all about the stigma associated with a illness which a lot of people don't understand.

From personal experience, I know that talking it about it was really difficult and often met with an awkward silence. When my Grandad was diagnosed with Alzheimers, even the doctor didn't want to say the words of his illness, he just handed my Nana a leaflet and said call these people (it was for a local Alzheimers society), they might be able to help!!!!!  Now, this is where I could get all ranty and ragey, how come a professional couldn't discuss this professionally? One meeting that my Mum went to with my Nana, we asked the doctor about the prognosis and treatment, he just talked about the condition deteriorating and to be prepared for the very worst. Now, how was that helpful? Of course he was right but I wish they were able to offer counselling, support, respite. Which, of course now they do (funds permitted!!).

“Our biggest fear is that people are struggling with this disease without the care and support they deserve,” says Alzheimers New Zealand executive director, Catherine Hall. And THAT is why I am fundraising for this charity, it's the care and support that all our loved ones need and deserve. Not the just the person with the disease, but the family who are faced with this every single day. My family all suffered when my Grandad was diagnosed, all in different ways and if we had better support we may have been able to cope better with it.

My Nana spent years driving to and from the care home and would do this every day, how she managed it, I will never know. Watching your beloved husband of over 50 years slip away into a child like state, with very little interaction was so distressing. He was an avid reader, debater and loved nothing more than a good row! Honestly, he once changed his political views with some friends once, as nobody represented the other side, and he wanted to be able to argue a point even though it was one he didn't believe in! So you can imagine what kind of character he was.

And one thing that I would like is for some people to change is their attitude to this illness, and not make crass rude jokes about losing your memory, yes people do that and it is really, really, really hurtful. It isn't a disease that only affects the old, there are many cases of people being diagnosed in their 30's and 40's, so please think before you speak!

I told you I was going to get all ranty on you! HA.

Claire :)

http://www.alzheimers.org.nz/information/latest-news/236-world-alzheimers-report-2012-reveals-stigma-and-social-exclusion-are-major-barriers-for-people-with-dementia-and-their-carers



http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

Let's say no more about it.

Well after my 2 hours and 10 minute training run yesterday, I am pretty tired. Jon has just done a 3 hour and 20 minute run today, with Liam's party tomorrow we are really hitting a peak of running lunacy.

So thought I'd share something that made me laugh... I think I may be turning into Geordie Georgie ;)

Catherine Tate - Geordie Georgie



http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

You get to eat even more than usual!

Recovering now from the weekend's exertions. A swim and massage on Monday and a fairly gentle bike ride yesterday and most of the soreness has gone. My left knee (the one that's already had 3 operations) is sending a message to me that it would prefer playing Daley Thomson's Decathlon on the Atari as opposed to all this running business. But we've come too far now, there's no turning back!

Food intake is off the scale which is an undoubted perk of all this. I'm needing to eat about every 90-120 minutes at the moment which means snacks need to be at arm's length almost all day. After an All Black's breakfast, the daily office fruit delivery gets a hammering at 10am. A small mountain of chicken or tuna salad will see me up to about 2.30pm when chick peas, nuts and protein shake come out of the drawer. Last night, Claire's delicious Toad in th'ole, carrots, leeks and onion gravy very nearly got me through to bed time but I'm afraid a chocolate chip cookie was calling out my name whilst watching The Bill. I've always been a fan of eating so Bravo I say! I fell asleep before The Bill finished.

Claire and I both have a our final long long training runs this weekend before we commence (what the experts seem to call) tapering. Tapering is not only what a barber does to the back of your head if you want a 'duck's arse" but also the process of running gradually shorter training runs as race day approaches. The evidence suggest you cant get much more prepared in the last 2-3 weeks so its a case of using the last couple of weeks for building a bit of speed and more leg turnover (another expert term I have learned) with shorter, faster stuff whilst avoiding injury through doing less mileage. All good news as 3 hour runs are starting to get a bit dull. I only hope I can still eat as much!!

A large word of thanks to all those who have sponsored us so far. We've toppled a $1050 already which is great news for the folks at Alzheimer's NZ. We won't start publically shaming you yet but there are some folks out there who have yet to donate. You know who you are!!

MrH

 

http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

An insight into the soreness to come!

Well, we clocked up 48kms yesterday in race near Botany Downs (not far from home). And we were thrilled as we have already raised $1000 for Alzheimers NZ.

Sorry to our UK readers who are under water but it was sunny and about 20 degrees - a lovely spring day for a run. The course was an 8km lap, of which Claire did 2 laps and I did 4. Claire clocked up a great time and I think she definitely feels like the half marathon is very achievable now. She has already been running the odd 16km distance as part of her training but for me, 32kms was the furthest I have ever run. Being on the go for not quite 3 hours is a mental and physical challenge to say the least. For some reason the first 8km lap felt like I was towing a caravan behind me and I was thinking "how on earth am I going to get round another 3 times?" Then a quick squirt of an energy gel and a swig of powerade and it all changed. Laps 2 and 3 were almost enjoyable. Bantering with others as I passed them or they passed me and getting spurred on by the marshals, who to their infinite credit stand there for hours in the sun and still throw out a few encouraging words when you pass by. It reminded me that the joy of running in a distance event with thousands of others is not just the achievement but also the camaraderie and support given and received; and also the good folks of Auckland who come out to line the streets with their foldaway chairs and a flask to applaud complete strangers along the way at 7am on a Sunday. That's worth a few kms alone - at least I hope it is.

Much stretching, an ice bath, three games of Croquet with Liam (I needed that!!), a steak pie, steak fajitas, several beers, some red wine, half a tube of Rolo's and an early night later and I am sore. Off to find a massage!

Until next time, Mr H 

 

 

 



http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

Shy bairns get nee kets!

Firstly, can I say a big THANK you to all the lovely people who have already donated their hard earned cash to this cause, we can't believe that we have nearly raised $700 already in sponsorship. My Nana has the 'give a little' page on her favourites and is checking it more than I do :)

To all my family, friends, Twitter friends, Facebook mates and anybody who has ever emailed me can I just say this SORRY. I am sorry for emailing you all, blogging, tweeting, Facebooking and going on and on and on about our fundraising. Hence, the title of my blog today, what on earth is that rubbish you are probably thinking? Well, it is a well used Geordie turn of phrase which means, "shy children get no sweets" in other words, if you don't ask you don't get. And as much as it pains me to ask for your hard earned cash, if we don't ask then, you well and truly don't get do you?

I've had the most touching emails from people sharing their stories about Alzheimer's and how it affected their families. And one lovely lady who has worked with Alzheimer's Canterbury for 2 years said my blog explained in a nutshell how most families feel. That really did make me cry. What I do know now though is at least a few people (who have read my blog) will understand the hideous disease a little bit more and might understand the huge impact it has not only the person with disease but on all the family and friends involved. And it's just about the money is it?

In running news, I did do a small run today, just 5km in the wet and drizzle. I listened to some marvellous new tunes from Mumford and Sons new album (how old do I sound??) Babel, nothing like banjo playing to make you run really, really fast!! Well, OK not that fast. Saving the legs tomorrow for a 16km race on Sunday at Sir Barry Curtis Park, MrH is doing 32km!! Don't forget the clocks do something weird on Saturday... forward isn't it?? You best check, I am useless..

Have a lovely Friday everyone. x


http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

Why running???

Let's explain what it is we are doing perhaps.

Jonny here (or MrH as I seem to have been christened by Claire).  I'm typing this on an email for Claire to upload as I'm a bloke and can't be trusted with another login and password to forget.

I was with Claire throughout the very tough times that were watching her beloved Grandad Bill slowly and uncontrollably descend as a result of this cruel disease.  We would drive about 10 miles from our home to his care home on the top of a windy hill in County Durham and invariably the journey back was in stunned silence.  Bill was a good man and I'm sorry that I hardly knew the Bill that he would have wanted me to remember. I was proud of Claire then for the way she handled watching this horrible situation unfold and I'm just as proud of her now for the way she has hit the streets!  She's lost heaps of weight, got really fit, gained confidence, proved to herself and others that exercise is free and that even the busiest people in the world (of which she is one) can do it.

So what are we doing exactly? Well, we are doing a couple of "firsts."  Claire is doing her first half marathon and I am doing my first full marathon.  In total on October 28th, we will starting off at picturesque Devonport, weaving our way around the street and hills of the North Shore of Auckland, over the iconic Harbour Bridge and then into downtown Auckland (with a cheeky 21km extra loop along beautiful Tamaki Drive to St Heliers and back for me).  

Claire and I are training a lot now and both grappling with niggles, chest infections, soreness, blisters and the odd Chalfont.  Having competed in a 21km and 10km race last weekend, we are in a 32km and 16km race this weekend.  So I hope you can see that its so much more than putting yourself through a bit of discomfort on one given day.  As someone with wisdom (my brother) once said, "the challenge for any distance run is getting to the start line" and he wasn't referring to Auckland's road system!  So we are not just asking you to sponsor us for completing the race.  Please sponsor us for the months of commitment it has taken to get us to the start line.  If we have done that right, then hopefully the race will look after itself!  We have undertaken this in the name of a special cause that is relevant to us and our family.  Any donation, small or large, would be wonderful.

Until next time

MrH

http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley

 

Claire, Grandad and Alison

First running blog

Well hello there internet world!


The one thing I said I would never do, and here I am doing it, writing a blog.

I am not at all talented in the old writing department, MrH is the skilled one in that area, but I said I would do this, so here is my very first public attempt.

So why Alzheimers New Zealand? Any why running and not baking a cake or something more civilised??

10 years ago, my much loved Grandad died after having Alzhiemers disease for at least the last 4 years of his life. He suffered with all our family watching it, whilst he slowly slipped further and further away. This, for all of us was heart breaking, not to mention we never really knew if he had any sane moments and would question where he was and why he wasn't out for a walk, reading the Daily Telegraph or swearing at Terry Wogan on TV (his favourite past time!!).

Dealing with this disease was just very sad, with no light at the end of the tunnel, no treatment, no respite and above all else, no happy ending. After spending your lifetime with someone who laughs at all your jokes, smiles when you walk in a room and let's you sit on their knee (no matter how old and BIG you are!) to then walk into a room and they don't even know who you are, is just the most gut wrenching feeling. With many illness, you have hope, the chance to grieve and discuss it together. Alzhiemers takes all this from you.

It is so very hard to understand where they have gone and why is has happened to them? You can't talk about treatment, getting better or even sometimes explain what it is that they have to them. And the endless appointments and visits to get a diagnose are even harder for some.

There are so many worthwhile causes out there, this one is just very close to my heart and it doesn't just affect the old, there are cases of people in their 30's being diagnosed with this disease.

I'll answer my other pondering questions later, together with a full blow by blow account of me and MrH training regime and how intensley dull we really have become.

Thanks for listening, xx

http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/ClaireHuxley