This year, however, was a little different because Rob and I decided to take some first-timer marathon walkers and runners with us. The 3 days in the middle were to be a bit more steady for us leaving us days 1 and 5 only on our own.
So, Tuesday 21st of May, I packed up Jessy (my van) and Robin and I drove up to Ilfracombe to camp the night at the Larkstone cafe.
We were greeted there by some of the Forces Marchers of the past, including another Debbie who I hadn't met before. We had some Cider and giggles, quite a deep chat with Graham and then Rob turned up, a little wibbly it has to be said! We were all in the zone and ready to get some sleep before heading off on Ultra-Marathon #1 in the morning.
We packed away the tents, loaded up the van and headed off down to the start of the March, right by the theatre in Ilfracombe. Danny was there welcoming us all to the start and gradually more and more people turned up that I hadn't seen for a year. I was back with my Forces March family again!
There were also a lot of people I hadn't met before, a lot of new marchers, which is great news for the charity.
The Mayor arrived along with the superb Town Cryer waving his big bell around. We lined up at the start and we were off, cheered on by half the town and the local school children waving us on our merry way.
Both Rob and I commented that we hadn't remembered that hill in past years, even though Rob has done it 5 times now too. I think you tend to remember days 4 and mostly 5 and erase the pain of day 1 until you do it again. Next year, we will remember!
Robin as our support driver was spot on, always where we wanted him to be with a smile too, letting us know how we were doing for time, although I don't think Rob and I cared about that. It's just about getting through it on the FM, as Danny always says....'It's not a race'
We ran through to Simonsbath, another hill gave us a good bum workout and then it was the section of endless beach hedges.
Rob and I spoke of this and I said that we had to think of a way to get through this bit, mentally ignore the boring landscape and endless 'same 'ol' hedges. Then we came across the Alphabet Game!
Bands beginning with A, B, C and so on...
Artists with the surname A, B, C and then first name, then cars, the game worked, suddenly we were at the turn off towards Westermill Farm and the finish. The alphabet game was a saviour and one I shall remember on Saturday when I take on the Dartmoor Discovery Ultra.
We ran and skipped back to the finish and I hopped straight into the paddling pool with a hot cup of tea. This was the one and only time I saw the physio's on this march, a record for me!
Just a bit of glute pain, Emily got in there and sorted it out for me, along with a little rolling on a ball for a bit.
Then Hannah turned up.....
We had a nice chilled evening, chicken and pasta, some wine and Rob tucked into the Pop Chips!
Day 2.
After breakfast we had the briefing, followed by a 2 minute silence again for Lee Rigby. There were a few of us with teary eyes that morning, particularly as Danny read out a letter from someone who had been helped by The Veterans Charity. But it's a boost to know why the event is so good, raising valuable money to help Veterans.
We got vaselined and camelbacked up and we were ready to go......walking for once!
It was a struggle to not run at the start, but Hannah as a walker went off at an epic pace anyway, faster than some people can run to be honest. The plan was to walk all but the downs, they, in the wise words of 'Downhill running lady Rita' were not to be wasted and luckily there are a lot of downs on day 2.
There is also a Steam Railway at the end of day 2 and the last train in at 5.15pm, so Hannah knew the pressure, I had to see that train!
Like Day 1 there were a few sections that both Rob and I didn't remember, but when we got to Ralegh Cross I knew just what we had to do, or at least I thought so, but we did have a slight addition to the route this time taking us round some lovely pretty little lanes and then back on to the main road, where I had to stop for a wee in a field.
Stayed for one train at 4.30pm whilst having a cuppa and some of that epic bread pudding, then, with very stiff legs, we carried on the last mile to the finish point at the new and very snazzy campsite up the road.
Sent Hannah off the the physios and Robin took me back down the station to see the last train in. He had already got the tents up and set up camp for us, what a star!
The staff at Crowcombe Heathfield Station are so lovely, and they remembered me and my love of steam trains. I also got to go on the footplate when I was there, big smiles for me!
As we waited for the last train to come in, complete with another cuppa and another piece of bread pudding I was given a present by Danny, a little plastic windup steam train and track! Awesome, couldn't wait to get it set up and going back at the campsite. I also had a fridge magnet from the station, one happy girly always at the end of day 2.
Back to camp we went, showered and ate some more chicken and pasta and then Hannah left us, with a promise to see us at the finish on Sunday.
So we had a lovely little gathering outside, Lorraine and Sarah joined us and then Rachael turned up to join the happy family.
This is Sarah being really Rock 'n' Roll with her cider and crocheting!
Then, the rain started and we decided to go into the Games Room just behind where we had camped. We all piled in with our chairs and boxes of wine and settled in for a good giggle, lots of naughty stories and great fun.
Woke up day 3 dry, the new tent was up and Rachael and I shared it rather than using the popup tents. We would have got wet, like night 2 when I got soaked. That was mainly because I left the door open so it rained straight on to me. Lesson learnt.
Rachael was cold, seemed nothing could warm her up, I think it was a touch of nerves and excitement and the unknown, she only started running with me 3 months prior to the event, but I know she could do it, her, Hannah and Donna have it mentally in them to do challenges like this. Really strong women.
Rachael warmed up at this point, can't work out why!
Rob decided that he wanted to beat his record and so would meet us at the top, although we weren't that far behind, thanks to the buttocks of another Forces Marcher! It was inspirational to follow, before we eventually took over and then we were there at the top. The main hill of the day right at the start, a good way to do things I think, particularly on a day of 30 miles.
Then we started making our way down and down, through villages and then eventually hitting Bridgewater.
Inappropriate timing for us though, because as we got the Town Hall loads of people were applauding, cheering, we thought that they had been laid on for us, sadly this was not the case, and even more sad was that it was a funeral for a local woman, the whole town had come out for it.
Casually we slipped in to the hall for some snacks before moving on to the Somerset levels and more wind and rain.
Then, we were there in Langport, running through the finish in town in just 5.5 hours! Amazing work, I'm still gobsmacked, and up to a month ago Rachael was swearing that she wasn't a runner! Have that Rachael, you know you are now, and a damn good one at that.
Back for a cold shower, for some reason they worked for everyone but me! 2 nights running too. Then the most epic meal ever on a Forces March turned up - The Hog Roast!
Then we went off to the pub for a cheeky couple of pints, fololwed by more wine at the campsite finishing with a slightly wibbly woo Rachael, well, she deserved it after her amazing day of running.
Day 4.
Donna arrived at the campsite during breakfast with Ashley looking fit and ready to go. Her hayfever has recently been causing her grief but she looked okay and didn't even look nervous. As I have said before, I know mentally as well as physically Donna has it in her to do well, she puts everything into her training and it's not until she's nearly sick that I know I've pushed her too far because she just doesn't complain!
We set out nice and strong, through Somerton we made a point of saying good morning to everyone, well, Rob did anyway and then out onto the open country lanes and a bit of an epic long hill.
Donna as usual kept on going with a smile, knocking off the miles bit by bit.
Day 4 is usually the day that I become incapacitated, but not this year, the reason I think is the awful camber on day 4, it's mental, as are the hills, which Donna took on like they were nothing.
We stopped by at Wyke Farms for some cheese, got attacked by a bunch of cyclists and made our way out of Bruton to the home stretch.
Like Rachael, the last 8 miles for Donna were tough, but at no point was I going to let her stop, we cracked on through playing the alphabet game as needed, and as we neared the end, the RMP guys were hot on our heels.
Now around this point 2 years ago, even in the pain I was in, we decided to have a sprint finish so that the Rifles team didn't get in before us, and this year seemed to be the same.
Rob and I knew the route, so we knew after the last incline it was straight down the hill to the finish, so we paced on, Donna found some fresh legs and feet and off we went ensuring a great emotional finish into the campsite.
Amazing work from Donna on a very difficult, wet, cold day. Not sure whether it's hit her yet or not! What a legend.
Both Donna and Rachael have since discussed that their PT sessions will never be the same again now I know what they are capable of! Poor girls!
A very tired Donna made her way back home with Ashley before we all hit the pub, and the curry!
Night 4 this year was a little more reserved than usual, had a few cheeky vinos, but I was cold right through to the core, I had a little dance to the band and an early night ahead of the last day, just Rob and I out on the open road, and my favourite run of the lot, across Salisbury plains.
Day 5.
The sun was out, Robin had camped us at the top of the field and as we went to the bottom for breakfast we realised why, there was no wind up the top! So I took my breakfast back up there and enjoyed it in the sunshine.
The usual Day 5 briefing and group photo int he field, birthday wishes to huggy and we were ready to go.
We were like dogs let off the leads for the first time, Wwooooooooof! Off we went running down the lanes averaging 6 miles an hour, we know this because every 6 miles we saw Robin and for the first 3 we were on target. We slowed down in the last section because the hills became more insane, Rob had a bit of leg pain but we kept on going and going and going........
Singing Star Trekking at ridiculous o'clock
The Shadows coming from Rocky and Lew's tent when Huggy was in there, I cannot describe it, you had to be there, but it was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time.
The Streak - yes indeed, we brought it back for night 5 this year, along with 2 first time streakers, Danny Richards (champion Moooo-er) and Duncan one of the University RAF cadets. It was a cheeky little jaunt around the campsite a nice way to finish the march.
As usual, we had the following morning's goodbyes. I never like this bit, Rachael was with me going home but still we were teary. Going from such a high and then having to leave everyone again really gets to me. I'm still on a bit of a low now, but coming home to see everyone's photos appearing on facebook always gives you a lift.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make my holiday special again, you are all truly wonderful and inspirational people, the best kind of person.
See you all next year, with another team of novice Funkanovas!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! (had to, sorry!)
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