Graham’s Blog – The (delayed) Turkey Trot, Keyworth (11.02.2018)

I always suspected that this would be a tough one in the middle of winter and it certainly was. The ‘Trot’ is renowned for its challenging hills and if you ever see it described as undulating, think again. Originally planned as a mid-December run, hence the name, it was cancelled at the first attempt due to heavy snow and rescheduled for February. Still a bitterly cold day with a wind chill of -5C and the odd snow flurry. There were a few references to Christmas (Santa’s Elf) who distributed the most unusual finishing memento I’ve ever received. It’s already been described on social media as everything from a flannel to a duster. I personally think it’s a glasses cloth. Please don’t be put off by this as the Keyworth Scouts and their army of volunteers provided a fantastically well organised event – thank you all and well done.

THE HILLY ONE – A TRUE RUNNERS RUN

Not really one for the fun runners judging by the amount of people from running clubs. If you ever fancy doing a half marathon for charity I would suggest finding one with less hills and longer than 2 hours 30 to get round. I have to say that the support I received from the club runners was outstanding especially Michelle from Holme Pierrepoint, the lady from Keyworth – sorry I didn’t get your name – and the chap who remembered me from the run in Worksop. The support on and off the course helped me to a decent time of 1:51:04. My slowest to date due to a painful knee from mile 9 and a severe headwind from miles 10 to 12. Without the support in those final miles from just about everybody who passed me I don’t think I would have made it to the finish.

Best Moments – Finishing – as by that point my legs were crying! The large group of men cowering behind a hedge near the start to stay warm. The support from local families all around the course on a freezing cold day. Meeting people I knew – Rich with a sub 1:30 and Nikki with her first official sub 2:00 – well done to both of you and thanks for your support! Also finding out this week that I have a place in the Great North Run alongside 57,000 others.

IKANO ROBIN HOOD HALF MARATHON – SEPTEMBER 2018

We are looking for 20 people to run the Robin Hood Half Marathon in September. Would you like to join us and raise funds to support our work? Contact us or find out more here. Thanks to The Treat Kitchen and Buckles Solicitors who are already signed up to run alongside staff from Café Sobar and Double Impact. Great to see some of our service users on the list now too.

NEXT RUN

Next up in two weeks’ time it’s either going to be Thorpe Park or Brighton depending on my knee recovering. I’ll post some updates on Twitter for you to follow: DI_Recovery & @DI_Runs. Seven down and thirteen to go! Thanks for reading.

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to join me in running for the Charity’s 20th Anniversary please contact me or if you would like to make a donation to the campaign please click here.