doug Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Not sure how to go about this but here goes.I had a mild stroke a couple of year’s back. 2 months to the day after I retired. Since then my doc has been dosing me up to get the BP down. In addition my wife has well-developed MS. Last year she was referred to The Hunters Moor Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Centre for Physiotherapy and pain re-assessment and control. The difference the visits have made to her is amazing. Anyway I was thinking about life, in general, at about the time of The Great North Run last year and decided to take up jogging. I decided to run for the Hunters Moor hospital out of gratitude for what they have done for my wife. In addition, seeing some of the other patients they treat is mind blowing. They treat a lot of people with severe head injuries. A lot from car accidents and severe assault cases. They staff are so patient and caring. Over the months I’ve seen some dramatic improvements and some less dramatic in other regular patients. Many of who are residential. They even have self-contained units where rehabilitation is practised.After I had a chat with my Doctor, who said he couldn’t see any serious drawbacks to my jogging I took it up. At first it was extremely hard going. A quarter mile and I was knackered for several days. I might point out that I have never done and sports – too much like hard work at school. However, I have recently managed to do 8 miles in 1 hour 26 min 14 sec. Yesterday I did 6.25 miles in 1 hour 5 min 10 sec. 3 mins faster than when I last did that route on 26th March. I am now hoping to do the 13.1 mile Run in under 2 and a half hours, when I first started I thought I would be lucky to run it in under 3 hours.So how about it folks, you donations will help a very worthy cause up here in the North East. If you are interested please contact me via this Forum and I will add any pledges to my list. I propose to update this from time to time to let you know how I’m doing. I was also wondering about adding clips of parts of my favourite runs. I’m presently pounding up and down the Consett and Sunderland Railway path. This is in the Great North Forest. Yes I didn’t know that I lived in a forest until I bought the Explorer Map No. 308. My next ambition to make it to Beamish Museum and back. This will be about 12 miles. The 8-mile run was up to King Coal and back.If anybody thinks this is a bit of a cheek, I’m sorry to offend. I’m doing this for the very first time. :D Just a quick edit. The run takes place on Sun. 21 st Sept. From Newcastle to The Leas on South Shields Front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Grand effort Doug. I'm a Geordie living in the Scottish Borders and I'm from Penshaw originally, then moved to Washington, then up here to Haggis Land. Put me down for a £5.00. Good cause. My wife has back problems and is now disabled. Sorry I couldn't make it a bit more at the moment. I might be able to manage a few more quid nearer the date though. Well done. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 16, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Thanks Gandalf. From your background you must know some of the country I,ve been ponding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shirley_Crabtree Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 If anybody thinks this is a bit of a cheek, I’m sorry to offend. I’m doing this for the very first time. :DQuite the opposite Doug!!!You are an inspiration!!!Love and best wishes to YOU and YOURS....I've pledged my interest...I stand by it....Good luck in the race....Well done friend :D Darren.Shirl...XXGo For It Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Every inch of it mate. The path you are running on that you mention was once a railway line from Consett steel works, it ran through the South of Washington then on to Henderson Engineering down near the River Wear. It's not that long ago they turned it into a footpath come cycle track.Right I'm off to the old snoring pit. Will catch you all tomorrow night. Good night Doug, just let me know where and when to send the dosh. Bye for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 16, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Thanks Shirl. Iv'e started a dedicated list for the Forum members. Nellie2 even suggested that I got a Tee shirt with the Windows Forum Logo on it. Worth considering? :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Damo Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 DougAs Shirl has already said, and i think he speaks for all of us, You ARE an inspiration!I'd be more than happy to contribute to such a worthy cause.Ive sent you a PM with the amount.Best WishesDamo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Hi Doug, great thought. Count me in. If you send me a PM and let me know where to send a donation I will be only too glad. Don't forget, get typing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madboy33 Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 HI DougGood idea matePut me down on your list and i will PM you with the ammount matemadboy33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter e Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Me too, Doug. PM on it's way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ellas Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 doug that last couple of miles to south shields is a right killer always a headwind blowing of the sea good luck you will need it :D I'll pm later to sponsor you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nellie2 Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Hi DougWell you already know I will support you, I have PM'd you with my pledge.....or will in a minute. Don't forget to let us know when you want the money and where to send it.As everyone has already said, you are an inspiration and I am proud to know you and call you my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cookie Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Nice one Doug. I'll PM my pledge. Let me know when you're ready to collect the 'dosh' and where to send it.Cookie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 16, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 Gee thanks everybody. I am truly overwhelmed by the support posted here and in all the private messages. I’ve modified my training routine slightly. I’m now doing a medium distance jog every other day. Then every so often aim for something longer. 2 things happened this evening (I normally go in the morning but have to fit in with domestic routines). On my way back from the halfway point a bucket of cold water thrown by some kids down from an old footbridge over the disused railway drenched me. This was a bit of a cold shock, I was quite hot at the time and it’s been such a warm day. As the only source of water nearby was a large and very muddy puddle I was a tad miffed. Roll on the end of the school hols. The second item of note is not so strange when I thought about things during the stroll (2miles to ease the aching muscles). My Pedometer has been saying that my distances have been getting shorter. Certainly, the times are reducing. What I had first paced out was 6.4 miles. Tonight I measured 6.08 miles in 63’50” compared with 6.23 miles in 65’10” on Monday. Now I am certain the distance is exactly the same – I always touch the same point on this bridge to ensure I’m not cheating my self by turning short – would I do that, well it was very tempting a few months back. So during my perambulation I thought (yes we all know what Thought did) my running stride is 3.35 ft while my walking step is 2.95 ft. The explanation can only be that I’m not taking so many walking breathers or taking much shorter ones. This seems a reasonable assumption; however, my overall running pace seems to increase i.e. tonight it was 10.49 min/mile cf. 10.46 on Monday not a lot but just shows how you have to be careful with the numbers.That’s enough waffling for now. I’ll update the post from time to time. Don’t read it if it’s boring. I have been called a boring old f*** so I won’t be upset. Last thing it was very noticeable how green all the vegetation is becoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 Doug, I've just been thinking. Wouldn't it be nice if Craig were to send you a T-shirt or sweatshirt with the Forum motif on it. It would be free advertising for the Forum as thousands of people watch the Great North Run on television. Think of the new potential members we could have. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shirley_Crabtree Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 I think that the best T-shirt design for Doug to wear would include "Hunters Moor Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Centre"He may consider dressing as a tart and running backwards too for maximum effect (and coverage) ;) Have fun Doug.Respect.Shirl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 I've been thinking, seriously, about the Tee shirt. I'm only a mere man and am not sure if my chest is big enough to display "Hunters Moor Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Centre" unless I have it spiralled around so I would have to rotate slowly as I run. :DJust realised this is my 300th. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince of Calcutta Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 That’s enough waffling for now. I’ll update the post from time to time. Don’t read it if it’s boring. I have been called a boring old f*** so I won’t be upset.no it isnt't boring at all..i think its really something that you're doing this :) keep us updated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 Thanks for sending me your address Doug, do you want our donations made out to "Hunters Moor Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Centre", or just Hunters Moor Hospital. Let us know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 To all who have made pledges so far. Many many thanks. On my wifes next appointment I will check with them as to the best way for making out cheques etc. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 Well done doug. You can count on my support. PM on the way. :jerry: :wheelchair: Mr. Mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2003 Jogging UpdateThought I’d let you all know the progress.Today I did a 9 miler ish. I say ish because the pedometer registered 9.4 miles. As I said before this is obviously dependent on the strides all being the same length. Now my fresh jogging stride is 3.35 ft and walking stride 2.95 ft. So, depending on how often I slow down to ease the muscles will affect the recorded distance. I also suspected this morning that as I got nearer to home my jogging stride was getting shorter. Because I use different routes to get too and from the track I will have to pace out the differences. Then each time I go for broke I will double the half way distance and add on the differential between the start and end. That makes sense to me anyway.Summarising 9.4 miles in 97’52” and 1022 cals burnt off 15071 steps.Will keep you all posted.Doug VEM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Damo Posted April 19, 2003 Report Share Posted April 19, 2003 Well done doug.....cant remember the last time I ever ran futher that the offy!9 miles is impressive.......and im nearly 25! :blink:Thats my age BY THE WAY!!...before somebody chirps in about it being my weight!! :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 19, 2003 Report Share Posted April 19, 2003 I can't even walk 9 miles, but I can drive a lot further than that in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted April 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2003 Right I've been and checked my start and finish distances and it means I have to add 0.071 miles to twice the half way distance. If you follow my drift. Consequently, my go for broke distance yesterday was 9.011 miles instead of 9.4 miles. Just shows how tired you can get towards the end. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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