Stage One: Complete

First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored us. We could not have done it without you.

So the day arrived, and on 30th March Sleepy and Grumpy set off to take on the first stage of the challenge - the 10k run. This was the bit that Sleepy was especially dreading since, as you'll know if you've been reading this blog, she can't run.

The race was hell. Seriously. I mean yes, it's all very pretty in Richmond Park, there were deer, it was sunny (still pretty darn cold, but sunny), and, yes, that was lucky given the fact that it snowed heavily an hour and a half after we were finished. But, come on. It was 10k. In the cold. There were an insane amount of hills. And why, why, dear god, would you put a very long and very steep hill right at the end of the course?! That, people organising the Richmond Park 10k, was just cruel. Grumpy was, well, grumpy because he couldn't overtake anyone because he had to stay with Sleepy who was at the back struggling to breathe. I am not exaggerating.

I experienced a number of sensations during this run that I have never experienced before. Firstly, my foot went entirely numb at around the 6k mark. It started by going a little bit tingly - a sort of pins and needles-esque feeling - then it went completely. Which actually was quite pleasant after running a kilometre with pins and needles. But the only way I could propel myself forward when I couldn't feel my foot was the push off from the right foot, the one that still had feeling, and throw myself onto the left foot, judging by rhythm only roughly where it should be, then fall back onto my right foot. It was very weird, I don't recommend trying it. I suddenly realised at around 8.5k that I could feel my left foot again, which was nice. Secondly, I had the worst stitch I've ever had. I get a lot of these when I'm running - pretty much constantly from start to finish there's some sort of nagging pain in one side or the other. But this was something else. About the 9.5k mark my chest imploded and the pain was so severe I thought I was going to pass out. Luckily we were close to the finish line though, and with some encouragement from Grumpy I was able to limp home.

Why does anyone do this to themselves?!?!

But we made it! We did it. We finished 171 and 172 out of 187, but never mind that. We finished. That was my goal. It took us an hour and 11 minutes to cross the finish line, and it was the worst hour and 11 minutes of my life. But we did it and now we never have to run anywhere ever again. And we've raised money for charity, which is the main thing.

And if you want to sponsor Sleepy or Grumpy, as always we will be very grateful!

Now, on to stage 2: the bike ride!

Turning a corner

I haven't posted here in a little while, mostly because I've been so utterly depressed about my progress.

The enormity of the challenge was beginning to hit home as I struggled to run a few kilometres without collapsing. I began to feel that I was never, ever going to be able to do it and that I would be letting everybody down.

The running was always going to be the hardest part for me. I hate running. I'm not exactly a regular cyclist (I don't actually own a bike as yet!) but I've often done a bit of cycling at the gym and whilst I might not be the fittest person on earth I find it at least possible to keep pedalling. Swimming I love, I'm actually sort of looking forward to that part (which is even better as that's the bit that Pete's worried about - it's nice to actually be better at something for once!). But running... there are no words. I hate running. I find it unbelievably painful. I don't know what it is, but even at my most fit (which was many years ago!) even short distances make my chest burn, my legs ache and my will to live ebb slowly away. So I knew if I could break the back of the running, I could manage the rest. And that wasn't looking good.

Until yesterday. I have had an epiphany. Yesterday I ran 5k and not only did I not have to walk any of the sections, but I actually sprinted a couple of times. Only because Pete made me, but still. I did it. I made it round. And after a sprint finish I think I actually had a little bit left in the tank. Not that I wasn't overjoyed to finish, but I could have kept going if I had to. And I do have to, that's the whole point. Because we're raising money for two amazing charities who don't get talked about enough (NSPCC and the MS Trust) and we have a lot of people behind us believing in us. That makes a huge amount of difference! (Particular thanks go to my wonderful friend Sanchi, who nearly made me cry before my run last night by being so supportive and so confident that I could do it. Her words were in my mind the whole time I was running, and it kept me going.)

So do please keep supporting us, because it's the only way we're going to make it! Thanks to everyone who has sponsored us so far - you are amazing!

(You can sponsor Sleepy on behalf of the NSPCC here, or sponsor Grumpy for MS Trust here. Thank you.)

Teething problems

We survived 2k, so it was time to tackle 5. Apparently.

Having proved that Haringey is something of a death trap for runners, Pete got his wish and we went for a run in Battersea. It's a lovely route, round Battersea park, over Chelsea bridge, along the embankment and back over Albert Bridge. It's quite lovely. Or it would be if you had time to look at the scenery and weren't trying not to retch all over the pavement.

I have never been in so much pain!! My chest burned, I had the most intense stitch I've ever felt and I had to slow to a walk several times. This was very, very not good. And for all that Pete kept telling me it was fine and that it was only my second run, the thought kept circling round and round in my head: "I have to do twice this distance in two months' time!"

I'm not the kind of person who takes not being good at things well. I like to at least be passable at stuff, and I get annoyed with myself when I'm not. So it was irritating enough that I was finding it so difficult. But this isn't for me, I'm doing this for charity and a charity that means an awful lot to me. That's what is the most painful, the thought that I might be letting a very good cause down. The fundraising has started, people have begun giving money and the thought that I could get even more money for a really important charity is too much to walk away from. So I can't back out now. There's no choice but to keep going.

So we have another 3k run in a couple of days and then another 5 to do, and the thought of it makes me want to curl up in a ball and go to sleep!

First training session

by Allegra

We thought we'd start slow. I haven't done any running in about two years, and Pete's not exactly the healthiest person in the world. He'll never walk anywhere if there's a bus going the same way. So we figured we'd go for a gentle 2k run around a park. Pete begged and pleaded to be able to run in Battersea Park, which is minutes from his flat, but in my "North London is totally better than South London" head, and not wanting to drag all my kit to Battersea, I insisted we would be totally fine running near my flat in Haringey. There is a park next to my flat, and from my front door, one lap of the park and back worked out at exactly 2k. Perfect.

What I didn't realise, is that this park has no streetlights. I'd never noticed before, I've never been down there on a winter evening before! So we set off at 7pm, and spent most of the next 20 minutes stumbling round in the dark trying not to trip over tree roots or at one point going face first down some steps!

Pete sprang happily round chatting away - "How was your day? How's work? How's your cold? Are you feeling better now?" ... I was feeling nowhere near as sprightly - my chest that was burning and I couldn't breathe. "We'll... talk... about... this... later" was the only answer I could get out.

We made it back, just about, with me puffing and wheezing and Pete still chatting away. Then I turned to look at him for the first time in actual light since we'd left. "Jesus Christ, what's happened to you?!" I squeaked. "What?" he asked. He was covered in sweat in a way I didn't know was possible. "You're sweating... a lot. Are you ok?!" "Oh, yeah, it's fine. I sweat a lot when I exercise." No kidding.

We stumbled back into the flat, me exhausted, Pete drenched, and both of us looking like we'd just run a marathon.
"That was quick!" my flatmate exclaims.
Right, fine then.

10-100-1000 Challenge

Sleepy and Grumpy (Allegra and Pete to their friends) wanted to raise some money for charity. Grumpy thought it would be a good idea to do some kind of activity challenge. Sleepy wasn't at all sure about this (the clue's in the name, really) but Grumpy was convinced they could do it. Sleepy and Grumpy couldn't decide whether to do a run, a bike ride or a swim. So they decided to do all three. This escalated out of all proportion, and we now present to you the 10-100-1000 challenge!

In 2013 we will be doing a 10k run, cycling a bit over 100 miles, and swimming 1000m. For two people who have trouble running for a bus, this is going to be an issue. But it is for two wonderful charities: the NSPCC, who do amazing work protecting children from cruelty and neglect, and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust, who provide support and information to those living with MS and their families as well as working with health professionals.

As we go along, we will keep you updated with how well/badly we're getting on with our training and our challenges. Any ideas you have for things we can do are also welcome so feel free to get involved. And please wish us luck!

If you want to support us and these amazing charities, you can sponsor Sleepy who is supporting the NSPCC or Grumpy who is supporting the MS Trust (supporting both is allowed if you're super generous!).