0 to Cowes: (lifted from Facebook)

We're off. Thanks to everyone for all the messages of support and sponsorship. We always had in mind that we wanted to raise £1000 and we are so close before leaving this morning we have raised the goal on our page to that. You can find the link at www.amileinherrunningshoes.blogpot.com
If you don't want updates throughout the day hide us in your news feed now. We love you guys x — at Red funnel Ferry Southampton.

1 to Cowes: *silent screams*

It's real, its here and its staring to feel a bit scary. kit check done...

journey to Southampton done and now it's time to try and sleep. I had high hopes for this post... possibly the last that will get published before we leave, but I'm feeling a little lost for words. 

nope... really. Maybe I'll try again in the morning. sleep time!

48 to Cowes: Yesterday's stats

So yesterday we covered just over 32km in around 4 and a half hours. It was horrific! We started out well and full of optimism. We ran, albeit slowly, pretty much all the way to our half way point. It was less than a half marathon to there and so we have run further before and were doing well. We stopped for a snack and then turned for home. We were still a long way off when both of us started to fall apart. For me the ache started in my lower legs and slowly spread upwards, eventually reaching my back. I was more tired than I can ever recall feeling in the past and although we had kept up running with brief walk intervals, by the time we reached Barton bridge we were done with running and had a long and slow trudge home. We ate, drank and showered etc and headed to bed before late for what felt like the longest night ever! I was ridiculously tired but just being in contact with the mattress seemed to hurt. I tossed and turned all night, and when I did briefly nod off I found myself back on the canal bank trying desperately to trudge on. Today it has really started to sink in how tough this is going to be. We've said all along that we knew it would be tough but until now I had no idea exactly how it would feel. The distance we covered is a fraction of the total distance we need to, and right now I have no idea how we will ever make it..

you can se the stats for our session at the link below:

Untitled by DavidCBurgess at Garmin Connect - Details

49 to Cowes: the SERIOUS training begins...

Not sure I've ever been so happy to see home. 4.5hrs, just over 19 miles. Hellish by the end!

50 to Cowes: Tomorrow....

... is a big day. Tomorrow we plan to start the main part of our training for IOW. We have, of course, been training already. We haven't been idle, but at first our focus was hell run (half marathon distance on trails), then we switched to 'Abersoch 10k mode' (faster, shorter road race) and since then we have just been ticking over. with just 50 days to go now, we really need to be upping the distance, by a LONG way! So tomorrow is the appointed start date, with a 4 hour-ish trek on the radar.  At this point I have mixed feelings... not quite sure what to think! Here goes... I guess....

51 to Cowes: urban run through Manchester's water ways (a post by Dave)

A lot of our runs recently have been along the bridge water canal through Stretford, Sale and Altrincham. It's great running along the canal, it's away from traffic and there is something calming about the water. I have also been riding the canal tow path. So far I have followed it up to Wigan and hope to follow it further, up to Chorley, in the near future. I'm also keen to show Rachel the paths I have discovered.

This week, I took another new route. The Bridgewater canal turns north just after Stretford to pass the home of Manchester United and then on into the city centre. But before it does it travels alongside the Manchester ship Canal. And it is here that I have been exploring, just up from the Pomona tram stop there is a patch of wasteland that has been left alone. There is a reasonably modern feel to the architecture, but a very dilapidated look as moss, weeds and bushes have started take over the path. Man hole covers are missing, presumably stolen for their metallic value and there are patches dug up with all sorts of cables and wires uncovered. What I loved about it the most was that it seemed to be a spot right in the middle of Manchester that most people wouldn't even know existed. So I invited Rachel, who is a photographer, to join me and we took some photos of these overgrown paths along the way. We are now keen to come back with a proper camera to document some of these forgotten places in Manchester and also keen to go back and explore more of the old paths through the city that are gradually being forgotten as the pull of seemingly more interesting things like shops distract us from these little gems.

52 to Cowes: What 9 Looks Like

Today we are 9.  Nine whole years since we became 'we'. On one hand I'm aware I could turn this into something totally depressing. Firstly because this means we'll be getting old soon- whatever you term to be old, we are nine years closer to it, nine whole years, but secondly because 9 doesn't look at all like either of us imagined. I was always convinced we'd have a six year old by now (or there abouts) with one or two younger siblings. This time each year is interesting. Its a natural time of reflection, you can't help but look back and assess how far you've come, or not come. I believe it is no coincidence that it was on our 7th anniversary, after the tears brought on by that reflection,  I finally decided enough was enough and picked up the phone to call my GP. On the whole, despite this, its been a good 9 years. We've done lots, seen lots, and definitely changed and grown lots and in the picture above we certainly seem happy enough. I'm aware my perspective is starting to change. I am learning not to regret the years of struggle both before and after that phone call to the GP two years ago. I am learning that regretting something I truly have pretty much no control over is a waste of time and emotion (if I regret anything now, it is not taking that trip, but then how were we to know that 3 rounds of Clomid wouldn't be our golden ticket to parenthood). In reality, what is a story without a struggle? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm ok with any of this, that it doesn't still hurt, or that I don't wish we were done with it already. But imagine Snow white without the poisoned apple, Red Riding Hood without the wolf, or Hansel and Gretel without the Witch in her gingerbread house? I guess I'm coming to a place of acceptance that we all have story and we don't get to choose what happens, but something will, and without it where would we be. A life of ease sounds great, like a fairytale maybe? but thats not so... every fairytale has its ogre/ witch / demon or whatever. Maybe its our scars that make us beautiful. Our story goes on, I guess thats what I should be grateful for.

57 to Cowes: Procrastinating the day of my training...

 When we were packing to head south for the weekend I hesitated when it came to packing my training gear. Dave questioned me and I responded that it was a whole extra bag to pack and I might not get around to using it. He responded by reminding me that I'd been saying for a while that I wanted to go train on the bridge and this was my chance. So, I packed my gear.... and didn't use it. I should have gone out today, but I was so tired after arriving at 2am and by the time I dragged myself up, my mother in law was ready to go play! We got back, and the evening was beautiful but I still didn't go. And now, like always when this happens, I wish I had.

60 to Cowes: What I'm running to right now...

This one has been on my track list for a while and I absolutely LOVE it. On a tough run, it always seems to shift my focus somehow. I added it to the list back in the late summer of last year when we were making the transition from 10k to half marathon, meaning my track list suddenly needed to get a LOT longer. I'd heard of it first on the AMR podcasts and instantly identified with the message. Although I  only recently openly posted about our situation, the more perceptive among our friends may have harboured suspicions due to the fact that within an hour of heading to the start line of our first half marathon last year I decided to 'give it a meaning' and raise a bit of sponsorship for the Rachel Foundation.


Although I hadn't specifically said why I had chosen the cause I had I felt like people would probably put 2 and 2 together, which was partly the reason it had taken me until we were about to head to the start line to commit to it. By the time we reached the start I was wondering if I was going to regret it, but around 90 minutes later as I climbed the final hills to the sound of Sara Bareilles suggesting it was time to be 'Brave', I felt strangely calm. I think this song will forever transport me back to that moment when I took the first step towards owning and accepting my situation and trying to let it have a meaning.

And since your history of silence
Won’t do you any good,
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is

- Sara Barreilles. Brave

61 to Cowes: Feeling the Love

(Photo credit)

Since hitting 'publish' on this blog in general yesterday evening, particularly this post, Ive been feeling a little.... um.... funny. In many ways I think I'm still getting used to the fact that I did it. On one hand I felt a weight lifted knowing it was done, whilst at the same time it kind of feels like I've strapped myself into a roller coaster and its pulling away from the station. This isn't a new feeling, I've felt it many times already in relation to the process of the investigations and treatment I am going through.... only to find the ride suddenly parked up again a little down the way. What I do want to acknowledge is the out-pouring of messages of support and love we have received in the last 24 hours. We appreciate every one, thank you so much. Also a massive thank you to all who have gone on line already to sponsor us (you can do so here), we have been really touched by both the responses and sponsorship. We plan to message people personally, but those who know me well know that may be a few days ;).

Whatever happens, I'm pretty sure there will continue to be days when I feel like I need a sweater like the one above. Today happens to be one of those days... but as always, tomorrow is another day! If any one fancies knitting me one though, any shade of teal through to duck egg would be just lovely, or maybe yellow. 

.... actually, no! strike that! Yellow would just make me look like a minion! haha

Rae

P.S. I have also put up Dave's first guest post which was back onTuesday !3th May

62 to Cowes: Pushing the Button...

   So up to this point, the posts on this blog have been written at least in part and worked on (one for each day since May 9th) but not published. Today I am hitting publish on a good chunk. When I started this blog, I kept it in draft form, mainly due to the fact that although we intended to participate in the challenge, we didn't have our charity confirmed and so could not start fundraising until we did. I felt it would be better to put it out there properly once this had occurred. This happened on June 5th, but I then delayed this further due to a period of escalated work commitments.  But this is it, the most important posts from the last month or so are going up now, the rest will follow over the next week or so, but to simplify / summarise...

we are doing this

which involves this

because of this

Rae

71 to Cowes: Phase 3... the not-so-golden-ticket, aka Clomid

   It was with a certain sense of 'meh' that I returned to the Gynea clinic this time, in February of 2013, accompanied by Dave. I seem to remember it was the day after his birthday and valentines day. I was prepared. I felt like a bit of a veteran at this point, they couldn't have too many more nasty tricks up their sleeve to subject me to - I felt like a true warrior (albeit a slightly dis-enchanted one!). We were shown in and our consultant scanned my notes. I have to say I love the way they do this after you enter the room, as if to highlight that they are so busy they have had no time to acquaint themselves with who you are and what your problem might be before hand. In reality, it doesn't matter, the info is all there and I imagine most people don't even notice. In my case however I am always subjected to a look of bewilderment which quickly turns to amazement and some quick-fire questions about my medical history. This particular consultant, a cheery and friendly little chap who I was only lucky enough to encounter once, proceeded to tell Dave to be nice to me as I'd been through a lot and was lucky to have survived. I've always been quite matter of fact about what had happened so many years ago. Whilst I was aware of how precarious my situation had been, it was hearing him say that and his reaction of genuine wonder that I was even sitting before him that really brought it home. Anyway! We already knew the results of the Hysterosalpingogram were good and so he turned to the repeat blood tests. From what he could see they indicated that contrary to what we had been told after the last round I might not be ovulating, or at least only very rarely. You'd think that hearing something like that would maybe be upsetting, but to be honest, it felt like a glimmer of hope. I was tiring a bit of ace-ing tests. If I was truly ace-ing anything then we'd have at least two kids by now, so to actually find a problem was a relief. He suggested Clomid, a drug that jump starts ovulation by inhibiting oestrogen receptors causing a hormone surge that should cause the development of more than one follicle. In a normal cycle only one will develop and erupt at a time. He was careful to explain the potential side effects, which included at worst case scenario life threatening ones, before asking IF we were willing to try it. That really hit me... before whenever I've been prescribed anything, it has just been given, Ive never been asked if I would rather not. We looked at each other, we didn't need to talk about it, we both felt we were willing to try anything. As we exited his office, prescription in hand, I felt a little jittery. This could be it!... our golden ticket to parenthood. I didn't want to get my hopes up. I didn't want to hurt again and I told myself over and over that it was no big deal, it wouldn't work, and we'd be back for our next appointment to discuss the next move. But really, it was too late, and part of me dared to hope.

  We returned home with the drugs and awaited the appointed day. I researched, like crazy, the drug, the side effects, the success rates. I prepared as best I could, and most heart breakingly for me, I contacted a good friend of mine to explain that we would have to pass up on our last possible opportunity to visit her family in Hawaii before they moved on to their next posting. I was gutted. I'm an adventurer at heart and had longed to see the beautiful places she had photographed and described. The chance to do it whilst visiting wonderful friends that we missed so much was a once in a lifetime opportunity. All this came as we were literally on the brink of booking those flight, but when I did the maths (over and over again) it seemed to mean that we would be there during one of my cycles of Clomid and the risk just seemed to great. I mourned the loss of that trip for at least a week, but told myself that it would be worth it if we could be parents before the year was out...

72 to Cowes: Phase 2... getting serious (and a little unpleasant)

coming soon... this post is being proofed

73 to Cowes: Phase 1... preliminaries

coming soon... this post is being proofed...

78 to Cowes: the 'Fertility Closet'

In the run up to our charity selection being confirmed (see yesterday's post) Dave and I have spoken lots about how to handle this. The reality is, as I said previously, this isn't just about completing a new event or distance to us, but a chance to fund raise for a charity. We are both well aware that if we want friends and family to truly get behind us in this and support us, we need to express why this is important to us and be a little bit open about that. Dave commented to me the other day, that this would involve 'coming out of the closet' - not the usual closet people refer to when they use that term, but the 'fertility closet'. So, here we go...


The Rachel Foundation is a research-based charity that focuses on developing therapies for those who are rendered infertile as a side effect of medical treatment, as well as trying to improve treatment for infertile couples. The Rachel Foundation is committed to upholding the wishes of its donors.

The research undertaken by the foundation aims to create an understanding of more efficient and effective measures of fertility preservation and infertility management. The Rachel Foundation, established by CARE, is named after biblical Rachel, wife of Jacob, whose infertility gave the first recorded cry for help (Genesis chapter 30, verse 1).

1 in 6 couples in the UK have trouble conceiving and the number of couples seeking medical help has risen dramatically over recent years. Think about 6 couples you know.... we are that 6th couple. Chances are, you suspected as much, I have been aware for some considerable time that it had to be the worst kept secret going. To the point where it has been quite some time since I have really bothered to try and keep it as a secret. But even so, it is also not something I have been particularly open about. Mainly because it is hard! Ever since setting this blog up I have been aware that this was its purpose... to record not only our physical journey towards being ready to complete our first ultra, but to share our motivation and to ask for support,  and that is not something we can do without being honest about that motivation.

We are excited to take part in the Isle of Wight Challenge. We see it as an adventure, one that we expect to be tough, but that we know will have an end. After 106km we will cross the finish line and experience the elation connected with doing so, all being well. Whilst we don't know exactly what it will be like, we know there will be an end and we know how far we will need to travel to get there.  In our personal lives we are also on a journey with regards our fertility, but the sad truth is we cannot be sure if we will ever cross the 'finish line' we are striving for. It may never come, certainly not in the form we are seeking, we just don't know. And there are countless couples out there who are hurting, mostly in secret, just like us.

And so it would mean the world to us if you could donate to via our sponsorship page to help bring a better understanding of the causes of infertility and more effective treatments one step closer.

Rae

79 to Cowes: game ON!!

Fantastic news today, in that we got confirmation that the event organisers and our chosen charity, the Rachel Foundation, that everything is confirmed and in place for us to participate and raise money for them. In reality we had decided that we intended to go ahead with the challenge no matter what and could have picked another charity if necessary, but despite this there was just something about the whole thing still being a little up in the air that meant for me it didn't seem quite real. Not any more! It really hit me today all of a sudden what we are about to embark on and the amount of work that lies ahead both in terms of training and fundraising. I've been feeling a little jittery (in a good way) ever since... 80 days to go!

Rae

102 to Cowes: An intro from Dave

I'm Dave. Rachel's other half, her husband, her eternal companion, and her nemesis. But it's okay, she's mine too. We consider ourselves a typical couple, love each other loads, drive each other crazy, we have our moments and we love spending time together.

We both work full time, more than full time in fact, Rachel is a photographer and I'm am engineer. We live in a suburb of Manchester, own a home, go to church, have two cars and a pet cat called Princess Kitty Witty (so, perfectly normal)!

A few years ago we climbed Snowdon, the highest point in Wales as I had read about it and expressed an interest in doing it. Yes, Snowdon is a challenge, a 1085m (3,500ft+) climb, but it is also a very well travelled path making it quite safe. We made it down safely and felt sore for a few days after but we loved it. We loved seeing people of all ages and abilities being outside enjoying the great outdoors, we couldn't understand why it had taken us so long to get outside have been hooked on setting new adventures ever since.

As well as hiking up hills and mountains (using mountains loosely, the best of what the UK has to offer) we have also got into running, and more recently for myself, cycling. Last year we set ourselves a goal of running 1000km. We failed at this. Not for lack of trying, but we realised pretty early on in the year, that we didn't just want to run. Setting such a lofty goal meant that we would have to choose running over at her activities that we wanted to do, like re-visiting Snowdon to take on a more challenging path, or choosing to work out at the gym or at home completing a fitness DVD. So the overall goal got knocked on the head, but the desire to be fit and active didn't. In fact it escalated!

Last year we competed in two running events in one of Rachel's favourite places in the world, Abersoch, North wales. Earlier that year we ran a 10k and then later in the year we ran our 1st official half marathon. It was around this point that I started to get a big head and considered Tough Mudder. Rachel doesn't like the idea of being electrocuted so started looking for alternative events and found a run called hell runner, which is like Tough Mudder, a muddy trail run, but with natural obstacles only. We signed up, we did it, we got wet and muddy and loved it. And since then we have become event and challenge junkies!

This is the short version of how we have got to this point, signing up for a 106km trek around the Isle of Wight. Needless to say, the biggest challenge and adventure we have undertaken so far.

Dave

103 to Cowes: but, WHY?

Beyond the pull of adventure and challenge, The Isle of Wight challenge offers us another opportunity... to raise money for a charity that means something to us. We hope to raise money for the Rachel Foundation, although at this point in time although we have signed up for the event we are yet to have this choice of charity confirmed as some communication needs to happen between the event organisers and the charity. As soon as we have this confirmed we will post more. Hopefully it won't be too long!

Rae

104 to Cowes: Why?

At this stage we have mentioned our plans to do the Isle of Wight challenge to a few people, and after 'What is that?' the next question we usually get is 'Why?!' often swiftly followed by 'are you crazy?!'. Well, yes probably, but in all seriousness, why not? When we committed to our first half marathon  about this time last year, we weren't overly convinced by the whole long distance thing. We fully intended to cross that finish line once, but we were comfortable with the 10k distance and at that stage we were of the opinion that we may well be 'bucket list' half marathoners- just there to check the box before saying never again! We remained in that frame of mind until after we'd crossed the finish line on Abersoch beach, but within 2 hours we both knew we weren't done. Obviously the logical reaction would be to find another half marathon to train for, maybe even a full marathon rather than skipping straight ahead to an ultra. For this act on complete lunacy, I blame Dave! ;) One thing I have noticed just recently, is that with these types of pursuits he just can't wait. He see's an event he wants to do and he wants to do it NOW! not next year, now! Whilst I admire his enthusiasm and drive I have also joked on many occasions that it worries me. He seems to laugh in the face of training (not entirely, he does train)  and he's much less averse than me to pushing himself beyond his comfort zone and right there onto a ledge! Unfortunately for me, I have an unhealthy sense of adventure and seem to be easily led, and so... here we are. So far we have always come out ok, and I wouldn't have considered this if I didn't believe we were capable, but at the same time I am definitely aware that this will most likely be challenging beyond anything I can even imagine.
  That said, with an ultra marathon there isn't the same pressure to race the whole way that still exists unto marathon distance. the challenge becomes more about going the distance than shaving seconds off your time, its just a different animal all together.

Rae

105 to Cowes: The Isle of Wight Challenge

The following is adapted from the event website...

The Isle of Wight challenge is a 106km double marathon across difficult and varied terrain. This is no road marathon and the running category of the challenge is classed for only those who are attempting the 106km challenge within under 16 hours. This is a tough challenge by anyone's standards. It will be physically and emotionally demanding! 

We fully intend to run as much of it as possible, although we have followed the advice of the organisers and registered as walkers. This means we are still able to run it should we choose, but we will set out later in the day after the main runners have left and will need to carry kit to enable us to run safely through the night. Doing this means we are still able to finish in 16 hours or less if, by some miracle we are able to, but we are not in a position where we HAVE to complete before nightfall or risk putting ourselves in danger. In reality we hope to finish somewhere between 16 and 24 hours. Whatever happens our first ultra marathon will be an adventure... hopefully a good one! 


Rae

106 to Cowes

   So here it is... 106 to Cowes, or more specifically 106 days (and if I can keep up with it, posts on this blog) until Dave and I set out from Cowes on the Isle of Wight to complete a 106km loop of the island on foot. I am aware that raises a lot of questions... Like why??! And there's plenty of time to answer those in 106 posts. Right now I'm not entirely sure what what will be achieved here on this blog. It has been quite some time since I have been in the habit of keeping a blog, and I'm well aware that I am no great writer, but then I don't suppose that matters. For the next 106 days this will be where I, with some help from Dave along the way, I'm sure, will keep a record of the challenge, our training and our motivation for what will be our greatest challenge to date. This is the story of our journey to Cowes to complete our first ultra-marathon on August bank holiday 2014.

Rae