The Forces March 2015

The Fourth year of the FM, it had to be special.......

So, another dynamic change as for the first time, my lovely VW Transporter van, aka 'Jessy' would not be with me as support/sleeping.
I put out  post on the Forces March 2015 Facebook group for a lift up and back for me and my lovely friend Fanny aka Rachael.
Luckily Steve, who was a support driver last year was coming up from Cornwall and offered us a lift with him and his best friend Simon.
Not as much luxury as having the van, but hey, it's not a glamping experience, it's The Forces March, the best weeks of my life!

There was one funny thing, the Devon/Cornwall divide, I had Devon flags, Steve had a Cornish flag, but it was all in jest and good spirit and we were glad for the lift....sort of.

So, we got picked up by Steve, headed back to Cornwall, met Simon and loaded up the car.
As you can see from this photo, there really wasn't much room for us in there, but we squeezed in amongst the luggage and it was a fun journey. You can just about see Fanny, looks like she's in a bag (save that one for later)

Soon enough after what seemed like an epic detour we arrived safely in Ilfracombe at the Larkstone Cafe, the chaps dropped us off and went on to their comfy B&B for the night, leaving us with a pile of kit and a tent to put up.

No sooner had we got there but we saw the most beautiful awesome Sally. I picked her up and swung her about as she is so tiny and was so good to see her again for a third year. We all keep in touch via Facebook, but actually seeing and catching up again is the best.

So, it seems every year there is an epic sunset in Ilfracombe ahead of the start and this year was no different, looking out over the sea, looking at the sun setting, preparing us for the next day ahead, it was beautiful.
Me and Fanny hooked up with Sally for dinner at the cafe, which mostly consisted of cheese!
The new owners, only 4 weeks in had started to do it up and had done an amazing job for us considering what it looked like the last few years. Also caught up with the legend that is Danny Richards, amazing guy!
We had a few ciders and some fat and carbs and Sally decided to get some sleep ahead of the big day. Sensible I think, I've never been that sensible! Oh, forgot to say that the tent was up, I was a girl guide, all was cool!

Then......people turn up, not just any people, but the very lovely William Holland aka Dutch and his new crew, Oz, Lee, Tom and Dusty.
Would have been rude to just turn in to bed, I hadn't seen Dutch since my first FM 3 years ago. There was a bit of an incident whereby after I was injured I sort of encouraged the awesome foursome to sprint finish with me so that Dutch's Rifles team didn't get to the paddling pool before us!
Water under the bridge haha so to speak,anyway, nice to see Lee again too and met his son and Dusty their support, then realised that I had heard of Oz before from my good friend Mr Starbuck. Anyway, let's bypass that (don't forget your trainers next year!) we had a few more drinks, some jaeger shots and then off to bed - Dutch and Oz were ruffing it in bashas, they slept under the new decking on my recommendation - nice!

Morning at Larkstone, tent down, brekkie in, running kit on, pack up and then Dutch and team were lovely enough to transport me and Fanny down to the start.

In Ilfracombe it was a Forces March family fest!
Waiting in the car park in Dutch's team van I saw Sarah coming down the road, I raced across the carpark and she dashed through a hedge for the best cuddle this year, nothing beats a Sarah cuddle! A year ago I had a goodbye hug, here was the best welcome ever.
Then more and more familiar faces appeared...Rita, Gill, Holly, Phil, Stephen, Geoff, Steve, then I met some new FM friends who previously I had only met via Facebook, Andy, Jane, Lorraine, Anne-Marie.
We had Danny's speeches, but there was someone missing, Mr Rob Starbuck, who through work commitments was unable to start with us. It was weird, my Funky partner in running crime was AWOL!
Today was about getting aFnny through day 1 though, after months of illness and no training we were hoping that she would run one of the days and I was dedicating day 1 to her and getting her to Westermill Farm later that day.

So, speeches over we were ready to take on the beast that is day 1, the 'uphill' day!
We were off, I wanted to high 5 all the school kids, which I did!
Round the harbour, past Verity, love that statue and back up towards Larkstone and where we had camped....onwards and upwards, I mean, really upwards.
The FM Day 1 is not easy, none of the days are easy, but for me, it helps if I know the route, Fanny doesnt like t know, but I gave her a few warning shots.
We walked, ran, walked, ran as best as and Fanny was doing really well with me giving her little landmarks to get to based on my previous years.

So....this was a landmark, Fanny had seen this photo from 2 years before, I still find it funny.
Inch by inch, mile by mile, one foot, then the other foot, Fanny cracked on and didn't moan half as much as I thought she would - that's a compliment Fanny!

She is hardcore, we plodded on, although it was obvious that I was missing Rob, I would say, things like, 'Me and Rob started the alphabet game here' 'This is where Rob usually does this' 'Rob normally says this here' haha so funny, but after a few years of running the same route with the same person, you get to know things.

So, this photo we were just over half way, I was carrying 'The Emblem' it has the word 'Endeavour' on it, one of my favourites, it was the 'house' I was in at school and also my very favourite, Captain Cook's Ship! I sang Fanny the song about it as I was carrying the Emblem.

The emblem proved to be amazing over Exmoor, some of you know how cold I get and it was just the perfect size to wrap around behind me as we ran to keep me warm.
I think I did around 5 miles with it, until Simonsbath.

We played the alphabet game a lot, pop groups, vegetables, girls names, and it seemed to work, plus I had forewarned Fanny of the endless road of Beech hedges.

We would soon enter Westermill campsite, home of my first holiday with my boyfriend Phil when I was about 17! Still makes me laugh now.

From the start to finish of day 1 Fanny was epic, just cracked on, got the job done and as you can see from this photo she just got on with the hills, faced them, rocked up them and got on with it.

I have to say at this point that this year she has made me feel so proud, I've not known her that long, but she takes on everything I say, learns and does it, she doesn't need me as a trainer anymore because she is now a runner in her own right. She is amazing.

Got back to camp, Fanny got in the paddling pool, I was okay, pitched the tent, got showered and enjoyed a lovely pot of pasta.

Met up with Jane and Anne-Marie, realised that it was on last years Dartmoor Ultra that I had met her and told her about the FM and that was why she signed up, happy with that, the more word gets around, the more money we can raise.

Picture on the right is Sarah, Sally, Lorraine and Wendy, beautiful women!

Day 2 - Go it alone day.

Now I have to say, for very selfish reasons I told Fanny that I wanted to run on my own, and yes, I felt bad and thought about how she was doing the whole time, but I needed this one on my own.

Day 2 ends at a Steam Railway - need I say more?

I shot off and kept up with the 3 stooges, I had managed recently to keep up with Stephen and Geoff in the Salcombe coastal marathon for half of it anyway and that was the best I've done for years, so running with them again was hilarious.
They are...erm....well, you know my innuendo humour x that by 5 and you get it!

Holly was in front that day (as usual) legs the length of me, reckon it's cheating! (no offence Holly you beautiful legend) so I took the opportunity when she had a little wee stop to crack on, kept on going and then got on form. I was in Gump mode!

Here on the left is me with the hardcore massive! These guys are machines, smashing out marathons like a walk in the park. Love you guys, you are amazing!

So, got to Raleigh Cross pub, the chaps carried on, I went in for a well deserved poo in a proper toilet! Ate a banana and then saw Holly appear, I was on borrowed time and yes, thanks to my lovely Dad I am competitive.
I have never run on my own for me on the FM and this was my chance, the hardcore Holly was not going to catch little old me!

I cracked on down that bloody 1:6 but didn't complain, because I had no one to complain to, at that point I thought, maybe Fanny will be doing better on her own not moaning at me?

Did the loop, the new loop that is very annoying, saw a dead bunny, almost put a jelly tot on it so Fanny knew I had gone that way, but realised it was just weird and wanted to see as many steam trains as possible, so I ran on, back on to the main road and then I saw another runner.

He didn't like me being on his tail, I could tell, then I overtook him, then he overtook me, but it was home straight, through the station, told them I would be back and then off to the finish.

Now....'said man runner' asked how far til the finish, I should have lied, but I said, just round the next corner and off he went...the forces march isn't a race! I didn't mind, I was racing the train.....

Then back to camp.

Sat in the paddling pool, cooling my legs, I saw the lovely Holly come in, I was sat in the pool, drinking tea and she said to me, 'wow you were flying those hills' and then laid down for a sleep, which turned out not to be a sleep but a little heat exhaustion, anyway, she took advice for the next few days and she is still epic!

Put the tent up, organised kit, showered and got a lift back to the station for *coughs* 3 bits of bread pudding and 2 cups of tea.

So, back at Crowcombe Heathfield Station, they are amazing every year.
They welcome us in, make tea and cakes and applaud every runner and walker that passes, this event would not be the same without them, the are special.

I was at the station for quite a while this year, that was why I ran so fast, I know I know, I am a geek, but proud of it too!

Fanny came in to the station, amazing timing, didn't want to stop for trains just wanted to get back.
Fanny is a runner!

I stayed for a couple more trains, accompanied by Dutch and team, Oz thought it was funny to take the piss out of my geekeness, even though he has a history of steam in the family!

I don't care, I love that station, it makes day 2 what it is!

Back at camp the RAF team had set up camp just opposite us and I got to meet Tracy, she asked me if I was Debbie, she had read my last years FM blog and was friends with Mr Starbuck. Glad to have them camp with us.
Then, met up with Dutch and Oz and we were suddenly being whisked away to the local pub!

Good company, I had some chips, already eaten pasta at camp and we returned to a very quiet camp!
On our return I was given a very special surprise...............Rob had arrived! I almost knocked him over jumping at him in excitement!

That night was cold..........too much snoring...................

Day 3 - The long one!

Hannah, seen here to the right with the best smile ever was with me last year for her one day of the FM, this year she was back for all 5 with her brother, also in shot.
Last year was the first anniversary of Lee Rigby's death and Danny read out a letter from Lee's Mum which had us all in tears.
I still remember when we heard the news on the march about his death, we were all so shocked and angry, reckon it fuelled a few of us on route.

We marked  Lee's anniversary with a 2 minute silence then marched in single file to the base of Crowcombe hill.

Suddenly, Rob shot off, yep, the master of the hill (previous to this year anyway) was off. I didn't even have time to say good luck and I love you to Fanny, I followed on up behind, and you know what? It wasn't that bad.
4th year of that hill, training in Devon and on coastal trails sets you up for bad boys like that and it was okay.

For some reason, although Rob has done hte route more than anyone else, he can't remember it!

We would be running along and I would say, 'Oh, remember this that happened here?' and Rob would just not know at all, I almost remember every inch of that route now after 4 times doing it, yet Rob seems to have a very selective memory of it!

All was good into Bridgewater, and then our usual stop at the town hall - no funeral this year, probably best!

So.....in the town hall, Jamie the hardcore turns up and I was discussing the fact that in the heat I lick my forearms to get the salt my salt back into my body, and then this gives me my favourite quote of the week.......

Jamie to me.....'Fancy a suck on this?'

Okay, he was showing me his armpit sweat but you know me, I couldn't stop laughing about it for miles (poor Rob)

Then, we leave Bridgewater (thankfully) and off onto the Somerset levels to Westonzoyland and my favourite butchers!

 Sean, pictured here on the right , is the legend of all butchers. Every year he plays music outside his shop as we run past, every year it brings a smile to my face and this year I said to Rob, 'we need a selfie with that legend of a man' and so we did!

And swiftly on around the new -ish loop around yet another bit Rob doesn't remember, except a random chimney in someone's garden and up into Langport.

Just before then we met up with hardcore Jamie again, I gave him some Jelly Tots, he looked like he needed them and then we were all back into the finish.

I have to say, I took Jamie's pack off him at the finish and carried it back to camp he had done enough with it, it was hefty, made me realise just how much he had taken on! What a guy.

Back at camp, tent up, UBAS chaps were attentive to conversation, love them, and then Fanny comes in, sore ankle, went the wrong way and added on and extra 3 miles with Ginge!
The showers at this point were not hooked up as no on from the council could be found.

The mighty and mystical Oz suggested getting a hotel room for showers, Rob and I implemented it and the Langport Arms let us have 2 showers at £1 a go and then gave us back half the profits for VC! Amazing!

So, clean we enjoyed a mighty Hog Roast again.

Meat! That is all I can say, it was amazing!

Then, Team Funkanova and Team Dutch went to the pub for a lovely quiet drink and found out a little more about Fanny's past!

Then we discussed sleeping outdoors and then I ended up in Dutch's survival bag for the night, you know me, stuff happens!

~Getinthebag!

In the night, however there were random people in the park trying to cause trouble and leapt over me in the bag, good job for them I didn't sit up!

Day 4 - Hot, hot, hot!

Fanny was injured..swollen ankle so she was going to be supporting with Dutch's lovely Dusty (King of the G&T) and we were set for the day as Team Funkanova..

Into Somerton (which is never downhill, no matter how much you think it is) and the cycle race bastards had removed some of our signs - again!
Rob, still had no idea where we were or where we were going..maybe one of the reasons I run with him, he has selective memory (like my dogs)
Interesting chat though at this point about how Rob needs food to fuel his running and I can seemingly go on empty for hours, put it down t previously having an eating disorder and my body can crack on regardless of fuel.
Well, that's one thought about it anyway that we discussed on route.

The heat of the day was taking it's toll, I had trained in the heat and on hills, the joy of living in Devon, but not all had, even though I had posted on FB to do so after 3 years ago and the heatwave we had.

I was okay, Rob was overheating because he has been working so hard recently inside the elements got him.
then, we were coming in to Castle Cary!

The 'usual' pasty was brought to us, makes me smile every year... then down to the town hall.

Quick respite... then we saw Dutch, he got in the loo before me.....made up for that sprint finish 3 years ago?

So, we kept on going, then Team Dutch caught us up, Oz, Lee and Dutch, Oz was suffering with his knees but kept trooping on... Lee shot off and Dutch joined me and Rob for the last few miles, singing as we went about our merry way!

We passed the point where I took him on the sprint and even offered him a finish before me, but we finished arm in arm, like all good friends should.

Tent up, then to the showers......

They were great, but we had to change in the pub carpark, hey, did it matter?

Curry - forgot to tell Danny about my coconut allergy....

Into the pub we went to have fun and frolics!

Great night, lots of fun, Champagne, and a fairly early night from me for night 4!
Back to camp, told off Fanny and Dutch for talking too loud and off into the land of nod......









Day 5 - The final day

The usual team photo, funny every time, the people you see in this are the best kind of people, real, kind people. My Forces March family.

Then....to the village hall....exciting!

This man is amazing!

The chicks!

Fanny was back in the game, ankle dressed and ready to go...... Day 5 here weeee cooooome!

Running along, remembering previous years hangovers, Huggy and his vomit at the garage (and the rest of the route) Rob's heat stroke, memories and Rob maybe remembered a little of the route too!

Sadly, Fanny had to pullout after around 7 miles as her ankle was too damaged, she's a legend for trying though.
On Salisbury Plain I had my idea for next years March!
Me and Rob kept going...and going........... and to Salisbury plain, but just before the lovely RAF support team gave me a little lollipop, meant a lot!
Again, Rob remembered nothing......

Rob, in Larkhill!
Those who know, know!
Few miles left.........







And on to Bulford and the finish...

Back in, tent up for the last night and in to support the finishers.

Hannah, who did one day with me last year, managed the whole 5 days walking with her brother, she is amazing and the support say that she did not stop smiling the whole time!

She and Fanny have made me so proud, this was am amazing Forces March.....then there were the awards.

We had an amazing BBQ and then the awards and accolades. I, and I am seriously still in shock after this, received the Lee Rigby award for Community Spirit, pictured here in disbelief.

All those that received awards this year were more than worthy, amazing people.

Then......the goodbyes.

There were few of us that stayed the final night, so a very sad farewell to all out new friends, and most probably, friends for life.

We sang, danced, streaked, just the very few of us that emained but I was ever aware that a tank may go across my tent in the morning, and little did I know how close it would be!

Bulford - sunrise!

Cuppa - courtesy of these chaps!

And then, the last goodbyes, I hate this bit every year, this year at least I was going back as far as Devon with others.

And the final journey home.

Have you ever had an ant crawl over you?
Have you ever had a few?
Have you ever had a whole flipping army of them crawling over you for a hundred miles whilst cramped into a small space with luggage unable  to move?
That was our journey home.....it was hilarious.

So, next year, I am NOT running, I am taking in new folks for each day, and I shall be driving! Hard task for me

Still chance to donate to this year text NOVA93 £5 to 70070
or Justgiving.com/team-funkanova2015