Run The Date - Day 30
Date: Monday 30th September
Distance: 30 miles
Motivational quote: "If it was easy everyone would do it."
Sponsor: Anon
Song: Nothing Really Matters by Metallica
Running partner: John Lawrence, Kevin Whitby and Claire Hart
Weather: Fine and dry. Slight wind.
Fuel: Weetabix, coffee, banana, double chocolate brownie, veggie burger and chips, flapjack.
Route: Crab and Winkle Way from Whitstable to Canterbury; Elham Valley Way from Canterbury to Folkestone.
Comments:
After Sunday’s horrific conditions I was very relived to see that the wind had calmed and there was no rain as I opened the curtains on Day 30, the final day of my challenge.
Considering the weather and elevation we had competed with less than 24 hours before, I felt in good shape - considering. My knee was still sore and swollen, and the little toe on my right foot was black. This wasn’t due to running though. I had woken up in the night and on the way to the toilet I had kicked the wall smashing my toenail and causing intense pain.
John, Kevin and I met up at Folkestone Invicta football ground. Craig had wanted to run with us but had important meetings he couldn’t miss and kindly offered to drop us in Whitstable – people are amazing. He left us at Whitstable train station and wished us good luck.
We had decided to cross Kent from north to south, sea to sea, following the Crab and Winkle Path and Elham Valley Way which run to and from Canterbury. When we finally worked out where the path started, we headed off through the residential streets. Soon we were on the disused railway track heading south.
To be honest I don’t remember much about this part of the journey, but I know I enjoyed it. One thing that does stick with me, however, is Margaret Connolly.
As we were running along a woman with a dog was walking towards us. The dog wanted to say hi so we stopped (nothing to do with excuses about tired legs). She had a strong Scottish accent and spoke at 100 mph, but it turned out what she was saying was fascinating. She was also a runner but was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 18 months ago. Basically, they would treat her but gave her little chance of survival.
Not only did she survive but, despite advice, she continued to run. Last year she came fourth in the European Masters Marathon event ahead of former Olympic gold medallist Rosa Mota. Talk about inspiring.
After seven miles we arrived at the outskirts of Canterbury and in search of a café. An elderly man we ran past said ‘I wish I could do that’. It motivated me to think that one day I wouldn’t be able to run, and I should be thankful for this opportunity. It also reminded me that there are many who would love the opportunity to run but can’t. It is a privilege not to be taken lightly.
We found a cafe called Kitsch and settled in for elevenses. The breakfast of pancakes and fruit sounded good but at £10 was not going to happen. Instead we had coffees and cakes.
Hunger satisfied, we trotted off like three broken old men before getting back into our rhythm – that of three broken middle-aged men. There was some confusion as we searched for the beginning of the Elham Valley Way which isn’t as well sign posted as the Crab and Winkle Path. Finally, we found it and were soon in the countryside running through fields.
We headed for Patrixbourne and then found ourselves on the Pilgrims Way leading to Rome. Now that would be another challenge! Sadly, we were the wrong side of the A2 motorway, but we found a bridge and crossed into the grounds of Bourne House. From here we headed for Kingston (Kent) and once more due to poor signage we went a little out of our way but kept stumbling back upon the right path.
At Collards Hill Wood we had another moment of disorientation but by comparing phones using GPS and maps with almost non-existent battery life we eventually reached Elham. From there we could see the antenna atop Tolsford Hill and headed in that general direction. Surprisingly this led us along the EVW better than if we had been looking for signposts.
When we reached Etchinghill we stopped at a pub for water. We had a location beacon on and so Kevin and Claire Hart were going to come and find us so that Claire could run the last part with us. I felt awful at this point. Energy levels were low, and I hadn’t drunk enough water. However, after flapjack and said water I felt good again. Just four miles to go.
The Harts hadn’t yet arrived, but we wanted to get it done and set off. Thankfully they passed us in the car and the four of us ran together past Peene and into Folkestone. The 30-mile point was reached opposite the Shell garage in Cheriton.
Now we were still over a mile away from our destination РButtys caf̩ - but half an hour early. We walked into town and I popped home to see the family before heading to the caf̩. As we walked down the road, I could hear screaming which turned out to be dozens of people waiting for us.
They had all come to welcome us to the end of the challenge and there we were walking! We quickly broke into a shuffle and I ran through the tape they were holding out for me (another 0.2 miles!) Ali and Jana were there from Rainbow Centre and people from Bald Monkeys Running Club, MAF and friends and family.
I was so humbled by all those who had come out to celebrate with us. It was over. Challenge complete. We all ate cake and drank coffee before John gave a speech and presented me with a trophy of a monkey with a plaque which read ‘What an average Pope’. Very appropriate. He can always be guaranteed to keep my feet on the ground…
Seriously though he has been there beside me for much of the time and his friendship, encouragement, banter and support has helped me achieve what at times seemed impossible.
Run the Date has turned from a personal challenge into a team effort including runners, givers, encouragers and many more along the way. I have met amazing people, heard incredible stories and been totally humbled while realising I can do more than I thought possible.
I’ll take a few days now to rest and reflect before posting my thoughts on what this month has entailed and the grand total raised....
After Sunday’s horrific conditions I was very relived to see that the wind had calmed and there was no rain as I opened the curtains on Day 30, the final day of my challenge.
Considering the weather and elevation we had competed with less than 24 hours before, I felt in good shape - considering. My knee was still sore and swollen, and the little toe on my right foot was black. This wasn’t due to running though. I had woken up in the night and on the way to the toilet I had kicked the wall smashing my toenail and causing intense pain.
John, Kevin and I met up at Folkestone Invicta football ground. Craig had wanted to run with us but had important meetings he couldn’t miss and kindly offered to drop us in Whitstable – people are amazing. He left us at Whitstable train station and wished us good luck.
We had decided to cross Kent from north to south, sea to sea, following the Crab and Winkle Path and Elham Valley Way which run to and from Canterbury. When we finally worked out where the path started, we headed off through the residential streets. Soon we were on the disused railway track heading south.
To be honest I don’t remember much about this part of the journey, but I know I enjoyed it. One thing that does stick with me, however, is Margaret Connolly.
As we were running along a woman with a dog was walking towards us. The dog wanted to say hi so we stopped (nothing to do with excuses about tired legs). She had a strong Scottish accent and spoke at 100 mph, but it turned out what she was saying was fascinating. She was also a runner but was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 18 months ago. Basically, they would treat her but gave her little chance of survival.
Not only did she survive but, despite advice, she continued to run. Last year she came fourth in the European Masters Marathon event ahead of former Olympic gold medallist Rosa Mota. Talk about inspiring.
After seven miles we arrived at the outskirts of Canterbury and in search of a café. An elderly man we ran past said ‘I wish I could do that’. It motivated me to think that one day I wouldn’t be able to run, and I should be thankful for this opportunity. It also reminded me that there are many who would love the opportunity to run but can’t. It is a privilege not to be taken lightly.
We found a cafe called Kitsch and settled in for elevenses. The breakfast of pancakes and fruit sounded good but at £10 was not going to happen. Instead we had coffees and cakes.
Hunger satisfied, we trotted off like three broken old men before getting back into our rhythm – that of three broken middle-aged men. There was some confusion as we searched for the beginning of the Elham Valley Way which isn’t as well sign posted as the Crab and Winkle Path. Finally, we found it and were soon in the countryside running through fields.
We headed for Patrixbourne and then found ourselves on the Pilgrims Way leading to Rome. Now that would be another challenge! Sadly, we were the wrong side of the A2 motorway, but we found a bridge and crossed into the grounds of Bourne House. From here we headed for Kingston (Kent) and once more due to poor signage we went a little out of our way but kept stumbling back upon the right path.
At Collards Hill Wood we had another moment of disorientation but by comparing phones using GPS and maps with almost non-existent battery life we eventually reached Elham. From there we could see the antenna atop Tolsford Hill and headed in that general direction. Surprisingly this led us along the EVW better than if we had been looking for signposts.
When we reached Etchinghill we stopped at a pub for water. We had a location beacon on and so Kevin and Claire Hart were going to come and find us so that Claire could run the last part with us. I felt awful at this point. Energy levels were low, and I hadn’t drunk enough water. However, after flapjack and said water I felt good again. Just four miles to go.
The Harts hadn’t yet arrived, but we wanted to get it done and set off. Thankfully they passed us in the car and the four of us ran together past Peene and into Folkestone. The 30-mile point was reached opposite the Shell garage in Cheriton.
Now we were still over a mile away from our destination РButtys caf̩ - but half an hour early. We walked into town and I popped home to see the family before heading to the caf̩. As we walked down the road, I could hear screaming which turned out to be dozens of people waiting for us.
They had all come to welcome us to the end of the challenge and there we were walking! We quickly broke into a shuffle and I ran through the tape they were holding out for me (another 0.2 miles!) Ali and Jana were there from Rainbow Centre and people from Bald Monkeys Running Club, MAF and friends and family.
I was so humbled by all those who had come out to celebrate with us. It was over. Challenge complete. We all ate cake and drank coffee before John gave a speech and presented me with a trophy of a monkey with a plaque which read ‘What an average Pope’. Very appropriate. He can always be guaranteed to keep my feet on the ground…
Seriously though he has been there beside me for much of the time and his friendship, encouragement, banter and support has helped me achieve what at times seemed impossible.
Run the Date has turned from a personal challenge into a team effort including runners, givers, encouragers and many more along the way. I have met amazing people, heard incredible stories and been totally humbled while realising I can do more than I thought possible.
I’ll take a few days now to rest and reflect before posting my thoughts on what this month has entailed and the grand total raised....
