Been a long time eh? I know, but I have been too busy with stuff to type a proper blog, now tonight I have some time and have for you another epic week of my life!
The Forces March 2013 - Raising money for The Veterans Charity, who I now volunteer for. A charity that is there for all Veterans, for whatever their current and sometimes urgent need is.
Last year I met a couple of guys who have been directly helped by them, and again this year, I had the pleasure of meeting yet more people who have been helped.
Can't say much more than that, they are brilliant at what they do, and raise much needed and deserved funds for our Veterans.
So............................... 'ere tis my lovers!
JOURNEY TO ILFRACOMBE
Well, I left my Kickboxing class on the Tuesday night and popped back for a final kit check and van check before heading up the M5! Not as far as Rob and I did for his 132, I went too far and had to turn round! haha
It was a lovely drive and I chased the sunset all the way to Ilfracombe.
I actually stopped Jessy (my van) in the middle of the road to take a photo as the pink and orange colours were so amazing.
I would have included this picture, had it been good enough, so I shall let you imagine that epic sunset yourself.
The journey was fast, beautiful, and I was as excited as a kitten with a new ball of wool!
ARRIVAL
I was there, I had found the Larkstone Cafe where everyone was camping and a lovely lady there let me park Jessy on the hard standing for the night, and the first person I saw was the awesome Graham (off of Graham and Shadow) who gave me a great hug - the first of many in the next few hours.
I then met Sarah, what can I say about this lady, she was already a legend in my mind before meeting her, disabled, hardcore and was about to attempt the FM2013 on a hand bike! Yep! Crazy!
Sarah was lovely, and this was the start of a great new friendship for me.
And then......... *trumpet fanfare* Mr Starbuck arrived! Woohoooo! The other half of Team Funkanova and one of my bestest friends ever! The Team were back, and we were ready for the challenge!
I had a couple of Ciders, met some new FM'ers and some who have done it before, and then my favourite lady of last year was there!
Sarah Surzy! Ice lolly and orange segment Goddess of the previous year, and I have to say, one of the best hugs of all time! I had many, that night, and all week off Sarah, she is the best!
Anyway.... time passed, great conversation, lovely cider and it was time for bed!
As I was making my way to my van, a slightly wobbling guy from the RAF Team was there, I have no idea exactly what he said for most of the conversation, but it appeared that he had a 4 man tent that I could erm share or something like that! Great work Shaun, but I finally made it into my van, after blinding him several times with my head torch.
THE START
After a great breakfast at Larkstone, we were off down to the new start of the FM in Ilfracombe by the sea.
And there, guess what? Oh yeah..... more hugs, more hugs than I have in years!
You see, The Forces March people, are not your usual people, from the walkers, runners, to support, the FM people are the best people you could ever meet in your life. They are supporting, self-less, caring, hardcore, passionate, respectful, they are everything that people should be, but mostly aren't.
They are my family, and that morning I had a family reunion with so many people, and at the same time I met new people who I had interacted with on the Veterans Charity facebook page, Steve Mills to name but one! But the family was together, we were there for a reason, and that reason was what brought us all together. The Veterans Charity Family!
THE PROPER OFF - DAY 1
After an amusing time with the Town Cryer, the school children were all lined up either side of the start, loads of locals came out to cheer on the start, and the walkers went off first! It was an awesome start to the FM, cheering, it was just great.
Then us runners had 'the wait'
By which time the locals had vanished, but one last chance for a quick poo and a slap of vaseline and we were ready for the off!
The children were still there for us and we gave them all a 'high 5' on the way past as a thank you, then we were off......
DAY ONE RUN
Team Funkanova hit the open road!
Now, Day One is hard, but because you haven't run 4 marathons before, it's lovely, we stomped the hills and ran the rest, we saw my neighbour Martin on the way to Coombe Martin (ooh) and he took the above shot of us.
We ran, reminiscing, not about the last FM, but about Rob's 132 in one hit last August!
"Remember the rain now? Remember how hard that rain was?"
I remember Day 1 so well form last year, but then driving it again in August.
We were both on form, although I'm always excitable and Rob is always chilled, I think that's why we make a great team, he keeps me back from burning out!
We made good time, it was comfortable, we kept it steady, all was well until we got to Simonsbath!
Danny, (VC) told me that Jessy had broken down! I had handed over Jessy into the more than capable hands of Stephen Bell, awesome athlete and driving instructor. I was at this point, bricking myself!
We carried on, and I told Rob, this last bit is longer than you want it to be, I had remembered from last year, but also driving it as support at stupid hours in the rain, it went on and on and on, Beech hedge after Beech hedge! Now I was prepared for this, and it was as long and drawn out as I thought, but we did it, and then Jessy and Stephen passed us! She was ok!
We then took a nice steady pace all the way back to Exford and the first campsite.
CAMP NIGHT 1
We had made it back! Woohoooo!
I blogged this last year I think, but Westermill Farm campsite I had stayed at with my boyfriend when I was 17! Interesting memories, but not much had changed either.
Was good to spend some time with the Support Team, Vince, Lew and crew, I love them! They make me feel at home and always ready with a hot urn!
We had some good chats, stretching, oh, and I made it into the paddling pool straight on return! Helped I think, had missed that paddling pool!
So, I decided that an early night was in order, 9.30pm!
I mostly go to bed around 11/12 unless I fall asleep on the sofa first, so I'm in my tent, listening to loud chat and laughing, for what felt like hours, then after no sleep I look at my watch - 3am!
I left my tent and climbed into the back of Jessy and slept!
DAY2 - MEETING NEW FRIENDS
So, I awoke, I was ok, had breakfast and lots of coffee, got ready for Day 2.
Day 2 for me is a little hard, I hate running downhill, and there is a lot of it! And it's shorter!
But the reward is at the end, the Steam Railway and Crowcombe Heathfield Station! And their amazing cakes!
I got to properly meet Anthony Hugill, who I had previously had chats with on FB! Insane! Love him! He arrived the night before.........
So we set off! Great route, a couple of cheeky inclines, then an epic load of downhill!
Sarah and Brenda (lovely awesome American chick!) saw me and Rob on the downhill I hate most, they commented that I didn't look happy! I wasn't my knees were killing me! Give me an incline anyday!
But we did it! We kept going, I sang a bit, as I do and then we were at the Station!
What a welcome! We went into a shed and were told that the showers hadn't arrived so we stopped for tea and cake and reminisced about Robs 132, those ladies there are amazing!
And then we were off, full of tea and cake!
Back to 'The Hills Have Eyes' campsite! Love it!
So, quick freshen up and back to the Station for the last Steam Train back in - you know me!
!What I did love was that standing on the platform with everyone, all the station staff came up and sais, 'Nice to see you again' they know a Geek when they see one!
But honestly, the staff at Crowcombe Heathfield are the best! So supporting, and when they received their VC Plaque they were over the moon! It's splendid!
Back for some chicken and pasta and then Morecombe and Wise it for the night as Team Funkanova do best!
CROWCOMBE HILL
We made it through the night all safe!
Then, off to the start at the bottom of the hill! I will be honest, I'm not normal! I love running up hills, I love the inclines, and this one has to be the best ever!
But first, the local school again entertained us and waved little flags, and brought tears to my eyes, mainly because I knew today was long, but even longer than last year!
Off we go, now, I have to now take my hat off to Mick Donnelly, from the Tank Team, we had spoken and he is a runner, and next year will be running the whole thing hopefully but he sped off! Rob also did, I took it steady, but Debbie-pace and loved every flipping minute of that hill!
When you get to the top, you get the most beautiful scenery, and some lovely gliding downhill, then flat, we made it to Bridgewater in no time, and again had a FM36 discussion, about when I lost Rob! Not great as a support driver! haha
Onwards we went, then Rob suffered epic blood blisters! We did what we could, avoided traffic and then eventually saw Danny Greeno who managed to get hold of a medic for Rob.
In the meantime...........
A tractor was coming past us, then suddenly, the back end of the roller dropped off!
He stopped in front of us, me, being tractor-aware! Held up the rear end of the roller whilst he reversed and Rob found the broken pin! We hooked it up and Danny gaffer-taped up the bolt to get him into the next field!
I still find that funny!
Distraction though for a bit!
Eventually the medic found us, I iced what was becoming last years hip issue!
We made it back though, Day 3, hardass! You have to be a Badass to make it through that!
We did, broken, tired and lost!
VISITORS!
So, we got into Somerton and my beautiful and fit friend Meschee was there and waiting! She was epic, guarded my shower for me, and cheered me up when I was feeling ever-so broken. It was epic!
And then Wolfy, my lovely friend also visited!
I was worried that they had visited and I was at my worst to be honest, I had to have Adam, the physio sort my hip in the back of my van, due to awful weather conditions. Then I wanted sleep!
Then Stephen, Steve and John banged on the van and said, Debbie? Beer?
Sleeping bag suit off and into the local sports club bar, but great conversations happened and I wouldn't have slept long anyway!
Rob actually went in there in his sleeping bag suit!
Back later, slept like a very very tired Debbie!
DAY 4 - THE START
Adam the lovely physio had done all he could to prepare me for this! It's like a day4 thing, it's the prettiest day as regards scenery and cottages and pretty gardens, yet, I seem to be in pain on it. 2 years running! Argh!
I was hoping to enjoy Day 4 this year, but it wasn't so, well, I say that, I was in pain, but still enjoyed it and the support was epic!
I tried to start running, it didn't work, but I found doing a special power walk thing, I was raking around 5pmh without even running!
I was worried for Rob though, I wanted him to enjoy the run and I felt I was setting him back, I kept trying to run, but it hurt so so much I cannot even begin to tell you...
Here's a photo..
And then, an ANGEL in Kev form was there!
The Medic Team were bloody ace this year! Kev and Andy, I salute you!
Kev stayed by Rob and I, he knew what I was going through and kept an ever-watchful eye.
Then I had some painkillers, got on with it, and eventually began to run!
The Physio Team also stopped on site and I had some treatment and got on my way! The Teams of professionals on the FM are next to none!
Not really, he was aiding in my hip recovery!
We carried on, Rob's foot was bad, my hip was bad, haha what a team eh but we kept each other going got on with it and eventually the finish was in sight! Woohoooo!
MAIDEN BRADLEY
Who read last years FM blog? Hands up????
Ok, so this year to be fair wasn't a lot different, except...........
There was a Music Festival on, and not the weekend after!
So last years 8 pints, became this years 8 pints and whatever shots were drank because of Huggy's birthday!
Now, here's Huggy, Anthony, I had only ever met him on Facebook through Veterans Charity, but you know when you click with someone? The same wavelength? The same, I need to live and do stuff thing? I have to say, I have met a friend for life in him, he is awesome!
So, the cider flowed, it was Huggy's birthday, I danced, and then it happened.....
I lost all control over my perception and self-respect.
The last band, were to be fair, amazing, I am afraid I am a child sometimes and laugh at inappropriate moments, as I did that night, but ....
actually still giggle at it!
Anyway, those that know, know! haha
So........STREAK TIME!!!!!
Only Me and Huggy up for it - ex Para, apparently has previous form for streaking, it was perfect!
So bloody organised, black bag each for our clothes, so we took them off, outside the pub, packed our clothes away and ran giggling like schoolgirls 200 yards up the road to the campsite!
Where I lost my knickers and forgot that I gave my van key to Graham at the pub!
The things I do! But hey, you got to live, or you will regret not living!
There we are - full moons in the moonlight!
THE MORNING AFTER
Woke up, woah!
Yep! This is just like last year, but hey, my hip feels better, just like last year! Cider had wonderful healing qualities!
Or maybe streaking does.......?
So, can't manage a whole breakfast, lots of water, hell, I managed it last year, let's go!
Rob was close by too, we ran with Huggy, stopped, while he threw up, several times......... I then called a medic!
I love day 5, running across Salisbury Plain, It's like being on a motorbike, without the bike, 'VRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM' its beautiful!
I almost got hit by a coach cheering Sarah on, on her handbike! But other than that..
We kept huggy in sight, I was worried, he told us to go on, but, Team Funkanova being who they are, we always kept him in sight until we saw Wendy, then asked her to watch for him!
Then, we were there, at Bulford, our journey was over! For this year....
The last 2 years I got back from The Forces March, I feel down, then I get contact from the FM people and the interraction and kindness keeps me going all year, and I know this year is no exception!
I cant wait for FM2014 - it's my annual holiday! And I don't care what anyone says, I'd rather do that with the best people in the world than lie on a beach! It's common sense really!
Thanks to everyone this year, you know who you are, and if you didn't get a mention, doesn't mean you were not important! I have a bad brain!
Loves you Veterans Charity, loves you Forces March peoples! xx
Look forward to 2014
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