Long time no blog, but I've been boring and working etc... a few other exciting things that are happening, but until I get a positive I'm keeping my head down about it.
So, this year I have completed 5 x marathons 5 x in 5 days for 5x times! How amazing is that?
Here are tales of adventures, straight from the 'orses mouth' and you will find out just how much I love Horses (best of all the animals, they're my friends)
#THE START OF MY ADVENTURE
My journey to Barnstaple was a slow one as she was obviously sick!
Parked up, all sorts of FM messages and the lovely Phil came to pick me up in a landrover that reminded me of my youth...anyway.... moving onwards, we were dropped off in Ilfracombe to register for the FM, hugged everyone, did what we had to and Phil dropped us off at Larkstone. I was accompanied by Alf and John, John to become a most amazing and trusted friend during the week.
So, at Larkstone, we unpacked our gear and strutted around the path, to be greeted by Donkeys in the top field (I love Donkeys, best of all the animals) and on to a fine flat lawn.
I met a new tent neighbour, who was opposite, Taz, and he helped me unpack and fathom out my new tent, proper gentleman! What a fine start!
After my Salmonella rubbish my stomach has been bad and I was worried about food all week, had a baked potato and beans and a few ciders before my 'other half' turned up for more! Was so good to see Rob again, we mostly meet once a year these days, but we catch up for hours, so it's all good!
More Ciders and meeting new FM family........I made Rob do this..
I have to say a MASSIVE thank you to the owners of the Larkstone Cafe for putting up with us all and feeding us all ready for the first day, they are absolutely amazing!
The next morning we packed up, got kit taken down the road thanks to Jason Mather from REME and walked down to the start.
So, this year was my 5th time doing it, quite happy with that, doing it with Mister Funk always a pleasure, we are seen here with Phil Hammond who does shit loads of running marathons and keeps coming back to us every year!
Time to get going, few hills to a pee-stop (by the way this blog is going to contain many pee stops, it was hot!)
The morning of the first day I was pulling up grass for this amazing creature!
Already missing animal loveliness!
The start of the FM, Ilfracombe, Devon
So, Day One, my 5th time, it's bloody hard work (sorry Mummy for my language, but I am half Dad) the heat started when the cloud was blasted off.
We just cracked on as usual, we (I) knew the way and it was just as case of one foot in front of the other for us, plus we had a catch up as not seen Rob for a year!
There are certain poignant points on the FM, the first of them is the sign into Somerset... I am a child, every year it's funny to me!
Endless lanes, heat, boring bits, Rob, obviously realised why he only sees me once per year, I do yabber on!
The endless Beech hedges and nothing else..... the end of day one, some small lanes, a stagnant pond, farmyard, then home for the night!
At the campsite, they pitched up next to us and amongst others, were the best 'tent neighbours' ever!
So, I was about to do some yoga and stretching, and Chris said that he was up for joining me, it was soon to become a regular thing, not just us, but support team also!
I drank a little Gin that night with some support team hospitality and then slept like a log!
DAY 2!
There was a 'BULL' alarm at 6am, so I was up, as was everyone else, tea, brekkie, put away the kit and get onwards!
It was a hot day, luckily I like hot days, hate the cold yet, love the sunshine, but not everyone shared my love, including Mister Starbuck.
I think the word, HEAT, was the word of the day, and still I was un-phased, I was in my element, but not my fellow team buddy, still, we cracked on through it!
I have never actually seen a cattle grid work like this, how amazing are sheep, just knowing not to go there!
I know, right, little things please me (not as much as big things) but Rob was as impressed as I was to this amazing sight!
Anyway, I was making Rob rush, he knows, he knows a steam geek such as me needs to be near a train station, not just any station though, one that supplys the best bread pudding ever!
The lanes were hot, the hedges turned into little heat funnels and I am glad me and Rob had gone fast to that point, later on people were pulled from the route there and I do not blame the team for doing that, it was a nightmare waiting to happen!
The volunteers on the West Somerset Railway are the best, always supportive to us, this day o the march always makes a steam geek like me complete.
Back at the campsite I had a little cheeky manipulation from the physios as my hip was tight, then went on to stretch it myself and do a little more gentle yoga, works every time!
Chilled out with my tent neighbours, Ross, Chris, Mick, John and of course Mista Funk all had dinner and listened to tunes and drank cider!
Then I had to tell off Lew and Rocky for keeping me awake! *grumpy cow*
Day two over and out...........
The sun was breaking through early, I was hungry, but keen to take on Crowcombe Hill for the fifth time.
Packed away our kit, vaselined up every chaffage (you know it has to be said in a French accent) point and we gathered at the campsite entrance for the off!.
We marched in line to the bottom of Crowcombe hill where we were met with the singing children from the local school again. I cannot believe how many verses of 'She'll be coming round the mountain' there actually are, and to be honest, wow, that they learnt them all!
So, at the bottom of the hill I asked Rob if he was running up, he said that he was, this is his usual thing to do and I meet him at the top, so I thought, bugger it (sorry Mum again) I'm going to try and crack on too.
It's an epic hill, I love epic hills, I know people think I'm weird because of my love for uphill, but the challenge is too much, plus I live in Devon, hills are everywhere on my run routes.
I went for it, up behind seasoned FM-er Jamie, there were a few in front, a few caught up, but I continued on..... in fact, I made it up 4th, with only 3 young chaps in front of me. Happy with that! Old bird did good! Probably my fastest time ever getting up it, and time enough to have a wee behind the wall before Rob reached the top! (I did warn you of peeing information)
Well, from the top the descent starts, we knew that the day would be hotter than previous and had been warned that we could possibly ALL be pulled from the route should the road/general temperatures increase too much, so me and Rob had the same idea, smash out as many miles as quickly as possible so we get pulled after more miles than fewer!
This photo on the right is a re-creation of one taken on my first Forces March in 2012, but in this one you may notice, I look a little like a hamster, I had literally just stuffed my face with a jam wagon wheel and still had a little left to swallow, that's how much we wanted to crack on, on this day.
This is the Mayor of Bridgewater, lovely guy!
So, on through Bridgewater, through the market (we didn't die) and over the M5, just after we passed over the road we saw a vehicle and hi-viz on the left. I said to Rob, 'we are being pulled' he said that no, it wasn't us, but then we saw others there looking very sad indeed. We were pulled before the Somerset levels and eventually dropped off at Westonzoyland.
Of course we were upset, we all wanted to run the full distance, but with road temperatures of a high of 59, I got it! our safety was at risk and with that, the future of the Forces March in further years to come would be at risk if the organising team didn't adhere to Health and Safety to the max!
I can now say, being the honest gal that I am, that the 3 that ignored this instruction and carried on selfishly to their own gain did not get any respect from me.
They could have been dropped and lapped the sportsfield at Somerton to get their extra mileage, but they put the safety of themselves at risk and left the rest of what I call the 'Forces March Team' with a bad taste in their mouths.
The Forces March is about teamwork, the original men that took on this in the heat in full kit weren't selfishly driven, they worked together to get through to the end - the spirit of the march. I felt this was lacking. I've held this in, but you know my honesty, it's only so long I can keep my mouth shut!
So, we were dropped off a few miles away, me and Rob did 19 that day, not a marathon, but under the circumstances, I feel proud and I know the organisers did the very best for us that day, the roads on the Somerset levels are open and harsh.
I knew there was a windmill on route, my friends and family know how much I love Windmills (a little more than Steam Trains it has to be said) and we kept going until we got to Stembridge Tower Mill, National Trust! And yes, I was excited, so much so that I kept on about 'said Mill' for quite a while until Mick's Navy humour couldn't take me anymore and supplied me with an insult!
Anyway, I had a few more wees in fields that day, I think around 7 and we trotted on into Somerton to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and some lovely new showers!
I also switched my phone on and found out that I still had job, which is always nice!
Celebration time at the Somerton sports and social club!
Chaz, (pictured right) decided he wants a new start, I am helping with the exercise and diet, but to start he decided the beard needs to go!
The mood in the place was ace and I finally got to catch up properly with Taz, he's as mad as I am, 80's upbringing, no restrictions streaking, great night.
We left the bar and watched the storm approach for a long while, it was an amazing light show, then we said our goodbyes and I stayed with my head out of the tent, watching the sky.
Then, the biggest thunder I have heard in my life, I swear every car alarm in Somerton went off, it was mental!
Then the rain started, hard and loud......little sleep was had that night too.
Teesy morning, I was a little worried about someone new in my life and a little worried for the upcoming memorial in the morning for Vince Wellington.
I'm an emotional creature, and Vince was a very dear and trusted FM family member and friend.
We walked into Somerton, behind Rocky and Lew to start day 4 with a memorial to a great guy and VC fundraiser.
Then we realised the wreath was still at the campsite, so Rob ran back for it, I reckon Vince would have laughed at that!
I have always called Day 4 - the pretty cottage route!
And this year, Danny gave us a surprise new route, and how grateful I am, what a stunning new route, I flaming well love it!
And so many pee stops in fields......
But other amusing and stupid things kept me going, as usual, I do love a funny road sign.
The route took us into Castle Cary, a beautiful town and a proper toilet stop, I had drank a lot of water yet again.
We left Castle Cary and headed out towards Wyke Farm, and a battle with the cyclists coming the other way. Most were polite, but as usual a few rude and nasty comments from them.
Me and Rob played the alphabet game, starting with TV programmes, quite amusing when most of them were from the 70's and 80's! We then tried cartoons, but failed miserably. Rob doesn't like the end of this day as a rule and this year was no different, but we made it to the end and into Maiden Bradley.
It's always party night on the Saturday and this year was briliant, Sally came back and met us there, Chaz had his beard shaved off, I cut Alan's hair off and Chris became 'George Michael' I think maybe it's one of those 'you had to be there' moments, but I'm sure most of you reading this were there.
Lots of laughing and singing and it was time to head off for the last night in a tent.
Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, I was feeling rough, my recent stomach problems returned and the stomach cramps on the first half of the run hindered me slightly. Still, we were fairly pacey and covered the miles easier than the previous few days.
I love this photo, this is Sarah on the roundabout!
We were running up to it, and I said to Rob, 'do you remember when Sarah was at this roundabout?' and there she was again.
Seeing Sarah on route always gives me a little boost.
The traffic seemed to be faster than usual, and for a Sunday, there was a lot of it! Salisbury Plains was particularly teesy with the traffic, having to leap into the side of the verge on several occasions.
This is the thing about the Forces March, one of the things that makes it so hard, the roads aren't closed. We are responsible out there and always hoping that drivers are sensible, sadly, people are idiots!
This event is so very special to me, not just because of the friends - my Forces March family, but because of the benefits to Veterans in need. Without this event, fundraising would be lower and we wouldn't be able to help as many.
Watching everyone come in to the finish, the smiles on everyone's faces were amazing, the pride in themselves for finishing. We had some food and the awards ceremony, all very deserved it has to be said, then we had to say our goodbyes........I hate that moment, every year, then the eventual Forces March blues, that I've been feeling all week. Roll on next year and another one!
So......entries are open for 2018 go to www.forcesmarch.org.uk and book your ticket onto what I would call the most amazing event ever! Don't expect it to be easy though, it's tough, but the rewards of finishing are life-long.
If you feel inspired by my little blog you can also donate to this amazing charity, my account is open until August 2017 so go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/debbiedoesdevon even the smallest donation adds to the total, this money could be potentially life-changing to a veteran.
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