April Challenges for Rockinghorse

 

April this year was a busy month:

April 2 Brighton Marathon:

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to take on Brighton Marathon with a Rockinghorse costume to publicise the fact that I was running for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Many people know that Rockinghorse is a charity very close to my families hearts, my eldest son was born needing immediate surgery and was rushed to the Royal Alex Children’s Hospital in Brighton and was undergoing his surgery at only 9 hours old. He was then in and out of ICU and many more operations for the next 6 months. Throughout this time and longer the team at Rockinghorse were always around to support and guide us as new parents.

Amanda and her sister Sandra are a very artistic pair with very different skills, Sandra is an amazing artist and can make a painting look like a photo, whereas Amanda is the first to admit that she can not draw at all but she has a great eye for crafts and making things, so between them getting a 2D image made into a 3D creation was great teamwork.

I was approached by BBC Radio Sussex and also BBC South East to talk about my challenges, in particular Brighton Marathon. When the reporter from BBC South East turned up and saw “Rocky” in my lounge his face was a picture and he loved the idea of me running around Brighton with him.

We did a quick interview in my lounge and then out on to the road to record me running with Rocky, this proved a bit problematic as it was quite windy and his legs flapped about a bit, so I had to think about how I could strengthen them for race day.

Come the big day and I drove down to Brighton having found a parking space not far from the finish, it was about a mile from the start but I figured better to have a walk before the event than after, I did get some strange looks along with a lot of good wishes as I wandered through the city to get to the start at Preston Park.

When I entered the start pen I was conscious that I didn’t want to get in peoples way so hung around at the back. When the wave started things seemed to be ok and we were getting on quite well, the extra bits of wood that I had added to Rocky’s legs were working, that is until about mile 1 when the first bit dropped off, never mind that wasn’t an important part so we carried on, then at mile 2 his front legs parted company with his body, the screws I had used had vibrated loose and fallen out. Now I was reaching over the from of his body to hold his legs on whilst trying to run. At about mile 6 I found a Sainsbury’s and had some very strange looks walking round looking for some string to try and put him back together. With the help of some spectators we managed to tie his legs back on and I was off and running again.

Unfortunately the wind got up on the top road and his legs were still flapping around, with the runners at about ankle level this was a problem, so I was running holding on to the bits of wood attached to his front legs, this did not do much for my shoulders which were absolute agony for most of the race having to hold then in one place throughout.

Having stopped for a quick chat and photo at the Rockinghorse cheer station it was on to the far end of the course, coming back to the road out to the port which I was expecting to be a very short run up, turned into a longer section that I had been led to believe. Coming back on to the promenade I was disappointed that the ice cream van was not there so I couldn’t get my ice cream for the final couple of miles!

One draw back of having Rocky was that I couldn’t really stop and look round the finishers area but just wanted to get back to the car and deposit him off! Still will have to spend some time making up for it next year.

April 8 South Downs Way 50

Then a mere 6 days later I was on the start line of SDW 50, minus Rocky, that would have just been silly!

This would be the longest single run that I had ever taken on, I did Race to the King a few years ago but that was 53 miles over 2 days. I was quite nervous going into this, would I make it before the cutoff, I had heard that as soon as the clock hits 13 hours they switch it off and anyone who finishes after that is deemed DNF and no medal or T shirt.

My plan was just to take it easy and not try too much for any kind of speed, as long as I hit the finish before the clock hit 13 hours, I would be happy.

I started wearing compeed on both my heals as I had blisters from Brighton the week earlier and my feet were not in a good state so that was another concern. I met up with a couple of the Henfield Joggers at the start, there was supposed to be a whole bunch of us but over the weeks leading up to the event they dropped like flies!

I had all the aid stations listed with the distance between them and the cut off time for each, yes not only did you have to finish within 13 hours but each check point had a cut off! This was a good way for me to break it down, I was not looking at running 50 miles just the 10 miles or 7 miles etc between the aid stations.

After setting off from an aid station it was time to tackle Truleigh hill so plenty of walking! Part way up the track there were a group of the Henfield Joggers out supporting which was a good lift to the spirits, even if Mark did call me a rude name for taking SDW 50 on 6 days after Brighton!

I hit half way and was pleasantly surprised at how the time had passed, I was slower obviously than a normal marathon but the scenery, other runners, aid stations and rude club mates seemed to make the time fly.

Amanda had arranged to go to Alfriston to see me through as it is close to her parents, so at one point I had a text to say that her and her dad were in Alfriston waiting. I had to reply that was great but I may be some time, I was just about to reach Southease Aid Station some 8 miles away from Alfrston.So she took her dad home and then spent some time there before coming back.

As I came into Alfriston I was greeted by Dave, at which point I asked him to remind me whose silly idea it was to take on SDW50, yes it was his, he had talked me in to entering and then had to drop out, or pull a Kingy as I call it!

A bit further on and Amanda was waiting with Jennie, which was another lift that I needed, my legs and feet were really beginning to hurt.

After leaving Alfriston there was a mere 8 miles to go to get to the finish in Eastbourne, but there were some nasty hills to contend with and the infamous gully of doom, before hitting the street of Eastbourne. Coming out of the gulley I saw an arrow on the opposite side of the road pointing left so duly set off, then after a while thought I hadn’t seen any other arrows, fortunately it wasn’t far and I went back, crossed the road to the arrow I had seen and found another one taking me off right!

Amanda had met up with one of her friends who actually lives in a house that backs onto the route so she got to spend some time with her before both of them went to the finish to wait for me. I believe that at one point Amanda’s mum text to see how I was getting on, Amanda replied that I was at the DGH (Hospital that the course passes) Lorna pointed out that she may want to expand on that rather than her mum think I was actually in the Hospital!

A lap of the track and that was it I had finished in 11 hours 48 and achieved my medal and T shirt!

April 23 London Marathon

After 2 weeks rest, doing nothing but the club Naked 5K on the Wednesday before the marathon I was in London again with Rocky, traveling up by train seemed to be a bad idea given the number of people who would be cramming onto the trains and the size of Rocky, fortunately George was able to drive me, Rocky and Dave up to Blackheath where the roads closed and drop us off to walk a short way up to the start area. Whilst waiting to start I had a lovely message from a friend and also a mention on Facebook, she always used to be out on the course but has since moved out of London and was working so couldn't be there but it was great to know she was supporting from afar, thanks Coral.

I must have put down a very slow time as I was in the last but one wave to start, hanging around the start wearing a big yellow Rockinghorse definitely got a few looks, including the guy with the microphone telling us all where we needed to be and interviewing random runners in between, so I had a few words and got on the big screen in the start pens.

Then it finally came my time to enter the pen, meeting a few runners who wanted a photo and chatting to a few other runners whilst we waited to actually start, then the time came and we were off!

The first few miles ticked over quite well and not that much slower than my usual runs, at Cutty Sark I heard a shout of “Andy” now normally in marathons this is not unusual as I have my name across my vest, however for this one no one could actually see this, so it must have been someone I knew. It was Jeremy my Brother-in-law’s Cousin who was running his first marathon. We had a quick chat and then as usual I lost track of him although apparently we were running at the same place throughout the run.

At one of the Water stations some Henfield Joggers were helping out and I managed to grab a quick chat with Pugs from the club who told me that Dave was only a couple of minutes in front of me, I was never going to catch him as I was getting slower by the step, my shoulders were starting to seize up from holding my arms in the same place for the entire run, something that Jeremy commented on after the event, he is an osteopath so really noticed that I was struggling with my upper back.

I checked my phone at one point and a friend had posted a video taken from the BBC coverage of me crossing Tower Bridge so that was quite cool.

I knew that the second half of the run would be hard so I had saved up a few episodes of Runpod to listen to so that it would take my mind off the pain. The first episode was with Kirsty Gallacher who was running for Royal Marsden, a really moving episode and also quite a surprise when Jenni brought up the subject of people running in fancy dress and specifically mentioned my Rockinghorse costume. Now I wont lie I had a bad week leading up to the Marathon thinking was I good enough should I call myself a runner had I raised enough money for my charity and a host of other thoughts, so when Jenni mentioned me on her podcast I almost broke down in tears, it was just a really emotional moment for some random reason, but it also gave me a massive lift to get on and finish the run.

As I mentioned my shoulders were becoming really painful so I was in a bit of a pain haze for the last few miles when again I heard someone shout Andy at me, I was so confused but it was Laura from the RunPod Run Club Facebook page who was out supporting and the fact that she was there gave me another boost even if it may not have looked like it at the time.

Coming down the Mall  towards the line was an amazing experience, I have completed the London Marathon 8 times now but only once dressed as a Rockinghorse, then to top it off as soon as I crossed the line I was accosted by the legend who is Big Fletch a big man hug and then he demanded my phone, no he wasn’t robbing me just making sure I had a photo, something that I usually miss getting on my runs, so big thanks Fletch really appreciate it, even if you did give me grief for not smiling!

Anyway now I have a couple of weeks rest before I get the bike out for NC500 a 500 mile cycle ride around Scotland, at least I get to sit down for that one!

My Justgiving page is still open if anyone has any spare pennies justgiving.com/rockinghorse1

 

Happy New Year and Challenge 2023

 Here we are having started 2023 so Happy New Year to all.

As we move in to a New Year I have again decided to try and raise some much needed funds for Rockinghorse, for those who may not have followed me and heard about my story please indulge me while I recap.

2nd September 1994 is a date that will always be remembered for so many reasons, Amanda and I welcomed our first son into the world , yes Eddie made his appearance.

Eddie was a healthy weight 7lb 12oz but had quite a major complication, fortunately for us  Amanda's waters had broken quite a number of hours before Eddie was born which meant that that the medical team had to run some extra tests, these included passing a naso-gastric tube to test the contents of his stomach. Whilst trying to pass this tube they found that they could not get it to his stomach, an X-ray confirmed that the tube was doubling back on itself in his Oesophagus to confirm that he had a condition called Tracheo-Oesopageal Fistula (TOF) where the lower part of the oesophagus had attached to the Trachea and Oesophageal atresia where the top part of the oesophagus just leads to a pouch.

This required immediate surgery as obviously he could not feed, a place was found at the Royal Alex Children's Hospital in Brighton but the Drs were trying to get him a space in Great Ormond Street. At this point I dashed home to get some clothes and bits as we were obviously going to be transferred from the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath. When I returned I was told that Amanda and Eddie were just getting into the Ambulance to go to Brighton, this did pose an issue for the team as at 7lb 12 Eddie was quite a large baby for the incubator that he needed to travel in to keep him warm and safebut they did manage to shoe horn him in! At this point I was concerned, as why would they be trying to get us to GOSH if we already had a place at the Alex, my thoughts were that GOSH must be considered a better option hence my concern.

As it turned out we could not have been better looked after by the team at the Alex and supported by the Rockinghorse charity. One issue was that being a Children's hospital they were not equipped to have Amanda in, this is where the charity first stepped in, they helped us find a room in a house for parents of sick children at the hospital so we could be close and not constantly worried about the travel and time it may take us to get to Eddie should we need to.

At 9 hours old Eddie was already having a major operation to disconnect the lower section of his oesophagus from his trachea and connect it to the top section, at this point he was a very poorly baby and in intensive care covered in wires and tubes, which meant we didn't really see his face for many weeks.

Over the next few months he had to have many more operations to stretch the join as the scar tissue constricted, on one of these stretches the procedure didn't go fully as planned and a whole was made into his chest cavity from his oesophagus, when his surgeon came out to tell us he looked broken and obviously felt bad that Eddie was now back in intensive care and in a very bad way. He even asked us if we wanted to transfer to GOSH as they had "caused the issue" at Brighton. I have put that in "" as I want to confirm that at no time did we feel this way, it was a risk of the operation and could just have easily happened at GOSH as at the Alex. We decided that we would stay at Brighton, we could not fault the care that Eddie had been given or the way that we as his parents had been supported.

Eddie finally came home after about 7 months although he was back in regularly, he still had a gastric feeding tube until his first birthday when something happened to it and we had a couple of trips to the hospital before finally actually removing it as it would not work correctly. 

Eddie was still under the care of the Alex even when it moved from the Old building in Dyke road, that we first visited, to the new building at the County until he was 19 and apparently became an adult. We are still waiting for him to grow up though, not sure that will ever happen!

Over the years we have completed a variety of challenges as fundraising efforts for Rockinghorse which is our way to in some small way say thankyou to the amazing teams at the Hospital and the charity for the support and care that they provided us as a family for many years, this year I have taken on April as a challenge month, which has just recently been extended into May.

April 02 Brighton Marathon
April 08 South Downs Way 50 Mile Ultra
April 23 London Marathon

Then the new one May 5 - 13 The North Coast 500, a 500 mile cycle ride around the coast of Scotland which includes ascent of about 2,000 meters more that the height of Everest over 7 days!

I have a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/rockinghorse1 if anyone could spare any change, every £1 really will help and assist me in saying thankyou to the Hospital and Rockinghorse and in turn allow them to continue to provide the same amazing support that we were fortunate enough to experience.

Thank you for reading.