They ALL Made It

Was that the sunniest day in Sheffield so far??
As we watched ambulances rushing by and stretchers being used for 'Elite' runners, we all wondered where our own runners had got to (apart from Barry who was already basking in the glory of a 1hr 34 run, 3 minutes under his PB in that heat, imagine what he could of done if he hadn't been doing high fives with the crowd at under a mile to go - maybe knocked off that 10 seconds, beat the 'soft toy' and hit 1.33??!). Anyway, the Marathon Virgins Ruth, Sharon and Clare managed a very respectable 2hr 14, 2hr 36 and 2hr 48 respectively and a very special mention has to be made for Heidi who managed 2hr 48 and was supposed to be walking! I am not sure Clare and Heidi would have made it without Sam's help, encouraging, cajoling and occasionally just plain shouting at them, she didn't even break into a sweat to come across the line with Heidi and Clare. Lee ("I haven't done ANY training") whilst dressed as TOD completed the course in 2hr 20, but no -one has heard from him since, we think he went straight to the pub!  Jane came through in 2hr 29 and is planning a relaxing day looking after 20, 3 to 4 year olds! Izzy was just 1 minute outside her own PB at 1hr 51, but with an injury preventing training and the heat we reckon that still counts as a PB...

The Fun Run had a few fallers, but nothing more serious than grazed knees and everyone seemed to enjoy the run (anyone for the Half Marathon next year?). Apologies from me for those of you I didn't get to say hello and thank you to on the day, ALL of your support was greatly appreciated and I hope you all enjoyed the event itself.

Well done to everyone who took part, a great team effort and everyone should be feeling very proud of their efforts (and maybe a bit sore!) Clare has headed off to a Spa today to recover after being in bed at 1730 last night and I hope everyone else has a good recovery, we will let you know where we get to on the fund raising which is at £3759 on line, but we still have to collect and count a lot more!

Thank you all again,
David.

Amazing!!!

Who would have thought it, a lady who's idea of gym membership for the first XX (I'm not that daft!) number of years of her life was 30 minutes in the Sauna and Jacuzzi is about to run a Half Marathon on the hottest weekend of the year (yep, didn't plan for that bit).
Clare your determination and focus knows no boundaries, we are IMMENSLY proud of what you have achieved and Sunday will be the final culmination of months of hard work, tears and generally spending a lot of time doing something you don't like (Sponsored Spa Day didn't seem to have the same ring to it).
We are all looking forward to getting you 'back to normal' (although another little secret is that recently Clare has said "as I haven't been doing much I'm just going out to stretch my legs" , "I've only done 7 miles" and worst of all "I would have liked to go further" - so watch this space!!)

Thank you also to everyone that has supported us either through actions, money or words, it has been a humbling experience for us all and the best of luck to all the runners on Sunday, those of you attempting it all deserve PBs!

Love David, JP and Grace. XXX

A little secret…

When I decided I was going to set myself a fundraising challenge I actually thought I was training for the Sheffield 10K and it was only when I entered myself online did I realise it was a half marathon. By this time it was too late, I had opened by big mouth so needed to commit. I can do this I told myself-I’ve given birth to 2 children, what’s 13.1miles. But I don’t think I actually believed I could and to be honest still not convinced I can! But let me tell you, training for this has been like climbing Everest and at times probably as cold! I’ve cried, moaned, panicked, lost sleep and been injured, but I have never been on this journey alone. From the very beginning my family and friends (even though they thought I was mad!) have supported me every step of the way. I also never expected so many children and their parents to get involved in the fun run which has been very humbling and I can’t wait to see you all in your T-shirts on Sunday. I also learnt this morning that Heidi who started training with me at the beginning with the intention of getting fit and had to stop training due to illness has decided she will participate on Sunday and carry a collecting tin. What an amazing lady. As I sit here feeling terrified about Sunday but overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of others, I remind myself why all this started- To try to raise awareness and make a difference through research to the lives of Children with Type 1 diabetes. Even though I don’t know at this stage how much we have raised I do believe that in a small part, in a close community of Sheffield this challenge has been achieved. Thank you so much to all of you. Clare, David, James & Grace. XX

2 days left...

Its actually only 47hrs! Did a short run last night with Samantha but that’s it now until Sunday. Being reminded constantly to drink more, advise that we all need to make sure we take on. At school drop Barry, Ruth & Heidi set off for their last run-Just a bit more time on their feet…

3 days to go! And last minute entry info...

At the time I'm writing this, in exactly 3 days' time the kids will be tearing around Don Valley Stadium, mid way through the fun run, and the half marathoners will be a few miles in, heading towards the city centre. Just thinking about it makes me feel nervous. However Mother Nature appears to be shining on us and the weather forecast is glorious. Hopefully the nice weather will encourage lots of people to come out and watch David run around in his cape and pants ;)

Last night at around half past nine, a slightly anxious Clare popped round during her t-shirt deliveries and said that some parents might not know that they need to enter their children in the Fun Run in advance (Annabel!) It is now too late to enter online, but you can enter in person at Don Valley Stadium (door K) on Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm and on Sunday morning from 7am. On Sunday morning the registration desk could be busy so I would recommend that you download and fill in the Fun Run Entry Form in advance and takes it with you.

Personally, I think I'm all ready. Last training run tonight (hopefully, childcare logistics permitting), kit is clean (thanks Lucy), "ToD" t-shirt looks great (thanks Clare & David), and the carb-loading has begun (as have the nerves).

"Time on your feet..." 7 days to go!!!!!

Ruth, Barry, and I arrived early this morning at Rother Valley to be joined by Sharon who got up even earlier at 5am to drive to Sheffield to meet some of the runners in preparation for next week. We ran about 6 miles and were then joined by our partners, children and in my case children's Grandma for a bike ride, (children, not us) followed by a picnic. It’s the middle of May and we were all wearing hats, heavy coats etc. We should have gone for a hot cooked breakfast somewhere warm and delayed the picnic for a warmer day! However, the weather didn't bother the children who had a great time.

Ruth and I have noticed over the past few weeks that when Barry (experienced marathon runner) is trying to get me to go a little further than I want to (usually aimed at me rather than Ruth as she has much more stamina than I) he always comes out with the same positive comment, "It's time on your feet." I'm not quite sure what it means but it reassures me that if I keep going I will make the 13.1 miles. However, today I felt very tired and knew I should stop at 6 miles while the others carried on for another mile or so.

This afternoon I took my son James to a bowling event organised by some other mums of children with type 1 diabetes who felt it would be beneficial for children and parents to get to know others with this condition. This was the first event arranged and is to be followed up in July by a picnic. Many thanks to the organisers Kate & Emma. This was also an opportunity to let other parents know about the fundraising and I am sure they will be keen to support the cause.

Plans for this week:

1. Drink lots of water because I don’t drink nearly enough
2. Deliver 'ToD' T-shirts to all the runners and children
3. Convince my neighbour to hem the ToD red capes for the men running in fancy dress!
4. 2 gym sessions and one 4m run. "A bit more time on your feet..." Barry et al.

8 Days to go!!

T-shirts arrived today. Looking good. I hope they have the desired impact on the day! Clare, Ruth and Barry training tomorrow. Not a long run, just a mere 6ish miles. Got to keep the legs going....

9 days to go!!!

It's been an eventful day, we have two new runners, Holly in the 3K fun run and Jane the Half Marathon. Thank you both so much for choosing to support this cause.
Clare and Ruth did an early morning run from Crosspool village to Rivelin Post Office and returned via Clare's nemesis of the Manchester Road 'incline' (you won't know it if you haven't run it!!). We have achieved a massive amount of fund raising on line (we have now broken £3k), but still need another £2k with just a week to go, please continue to support us. Thanks.

Information for Fun Runners

Ruth has kindly put together some extra information and useful tips for parents of children who are participating in the Fun Run in just 11 days time!

So if you are wondering about how to get there, what to bring, where to meet, and so on, please click the link below.

Extra information about the Fun Run (PDF document)

Printed copies will be included with the t-shirts that will be handed out very soon.

Last long Run!

Both Ruth Slate and Clare Pye have today run 11 miles as the final long run before their half marathon attempt, all made it round safely with no injuries. Barry Quirk is continuing to show off after his dramatic weight loss and is planning a mere 18 miles tomorrow morning (best stay off the beer tonight Barry...)

Our fundraising efforts

On Sunday 27th May 2012, 8 fantastic runners are participating in the Sheffield half marathon and to date 31 children from Lydgate Infant and Junior Schools, Waterthorpe Primary School and older children from Sheffield High School and Tapton are running the 3K fun run. We even have our own logo, "ToD" who will be advertised on our running t-shirts, so please look out for us on the day.



Crosspool community has been immensely supportive in raising funds to support us. Along with the support we have received from Lydgate schools, ‘Top to Toe’ Beauticians have already raised £424.00 by organising a raffle and Philip Smith, local butcher is having his (rather hairy) legs waxed on Saturday 30^th June 2012 at 12pm outside his butchers shop on Sandygate road.



In addition to this ‘Gym Plus’ in Crookes and ‘The Avenue’ Hair & Beauty Salon on Glossop Road are also supporting our fundraising efforts.

We also have plans to host an auction and ball next year to auction the fantastic gifts we have received.

Article on Postcode Gazette

The Postcode Gazette has published an article about James and the fundraising efforts so far. Click on the link below to read the full article.

Crosspool community supports family's fundraising efforts

Children with Type 1 Diabetes

No-one fully understands what causes type 1 diabetes in children, although a virus is believed to be the most likely cause.

Because there is no cure for this disease the children (and their parents) have to learn how to adjust their lives for the many changes that this brings i.e. multiple daily injections and the weighing / measuring of all food.

Sheffield’s Children's Hospital gives a huge amount of support to both children and parents and is also at the forefront of national research into how to manage this lifelong disease.

Please help us raise funds to research the best ways for these children to learn to manage this disease themselves and reclaim some of the freedom they lose

Thanks you