Diary of a forgetful Thunder Bird

*times may be slightly inaccurate due to intense lack of sleep and any form of brain power. 

December 2010

20.40pm

After impromptu meeting at the pub, my Thunder birdz team consists of Me, April, Diane, Gilly and Julie W. 

Friday 29th July 2011

10.15am

Set off for Catton Park with enough food to feed small country

1.00pm

Arrive, try to camp on same area as last year but discover it is now part of the course (how rude) alternative is found so building of Quaker city begins.

2.00pm

Mark R and Darren S arrive with tent bought only a few days ago and never before been put up, the expression how many Quakers does it take to…    springs to mind. The Curtis’s arrive with Abbey and Andrew, all their clothes and food and what appears to be full size garden furniture set, all in a car which could double as the Dr Who Tardis

5.00pm
Decide to do reccie of route, within first 1k I know it’s a mistake, don’t remember it being so hilly, half way through we leave Julie B lying on her back getting taped by Nick!!!.

8.00pm

Jeff and Caroline arrive with the biggest tent in the world

10.00pm

Darkness arrives, head torches come out, and so does Nick’s dressing gown – enough said

11.00pm

Bed time, it’s now freezing cold, wish weather would make its mind up 

Saturday 30th July 2011

2.50am

Camp is awoken by loudest man on earth, clearly on completely different campsite, shouting. Did anyone bring a gun?

10.30am

Final team mate Julie arrives

12.00pm

Race begins. I’m excited but it’s hot and me and heat don’t get on so let the battle commence

12.30pm

1st lap is tough, especially twisty parts in woods and it’s so hot on top, I run with Caroline who keeps me going.

1.50pm

Drunken noodles courtesy of Gilly – perfect

2.00pm

Nightmare, Michelle falls and needs to go to hospital, Julie takes her due to everyone else’s cars being blocked in. They could be some time!!

4.15pm

Gilly returns from her run with injured knee, she decides to continue but fast walk her laps, what a star!!

4.30pm

Nightmare over, Michelle and Julie return with Michelle’s arm strapped up, she is still running, another star. Thank god they didn’t have to go to Darlo A&E, they could have been there till midnight

5.50pm

Off for 2nd lap, it’s just as hot but I get round. I’m amazed by the amount of people passing me at full pelt, don’t they realise how long this race lasts?

11.50pm

3rd lap, see Darren S at waiting pen, who’s still smiling, bump into April who has a huge beaming smile on her face too. Get my bunny ears on and wait for Julie

Sunday 31st July 2011

12.29am

Night run is great, mostly due to fact that bloody sun has gone in, get loads of comments on my bunny ears which keeps me going, then just as I’m passing a man on a downhill I go arse over *** and fall flat on my face and skid down the hill nearly giving the man a heart attack. I jump back up with help of man and after assuring him I am ok I set off again, knees are scraped but apart from that I am fine.

1.10am

Pass over to Diane, get very lost getting back to base camp and eventually climb into my sleeping bag setting alarm for 3 hours later can’t even be bothered to clean up my stinging muddy knees, at this point just need some sleep.

4.30am

Drag myself out of tent, force cup of coffee and syrup sandwich down me, (all I can be bothered to make) and get changed again.

4.50am

Wonder how Nick is getting on as haven’t seen him for about 7 hours, I’m sure he is fine as someone would have let me know wouldn’t they ??

6.10am

4^th and final lap, sun is already trying to come out, I feel a bit sick, am tired and it’s going to be another hot one.

7.25am

Finish to a huge cheer from Roy. For some bizarre reason my arms are in agony, and I can’t straighten them - weird

7.45am

Stand in queue for shower

8.10am

Still standing in queue for shower

9.00am

After finally getting shower I go to finish to cheer rest of teams on, find out Roy has been there practically all night since having to retire from race, during which time he has got award for best supporter, been given a hat, goody bag and headphones for his efforts. Wicked - what a hero. Roy really is the ambassador of our club.

11.30am

Claire Apps finishes her final lap with her dad running by her side (Diane points out how proud he must be), she did absolutely amazing and actually brings a tear to my eye with her fabulous efforts.

12.00noon

Quote of the day from Lucy “I know it was night last night but wasn’t it dark” Sorry Lucy but it was funny.

1.15pm

Our final Quakers Wendy and Sue finish to a huge cheer from the entire club which drowns out the presentation (sorry Patrick but us Quakers are very loyal).

2.00pm

Get medals the size of a house and proudly present them to my fellow Thunder Birdz. This weekend has shown what the Quakers is all about; team work, fantastic supporting and true determination.

5.00pm

After getting lost getting to Travel Lodge, Nick (yes I eventually found him) and I collapse, with a combination of aching legs, aching arms, knackered hamstrings, tight calves, stingy and possibly septic knees, lots and lots of sunburn and dehydration kicking in I ask him if he would do it again possibly as a double or maybe I should do a solo????

5.01pm

To be continued July 2012………..