Saturday got underway with one final Beach Bootcamp with David Fairlamb. There were 70 or so people in attendance and it was a tough old session. I was still recovering from a session in the gym on Thursday with David but it was very enjoyable nonetheless.
I attended my last match of the season at St. James Park for a good old fashioned 3pm kick off. With the prospect of a half time appearance I went dressed in full Run Geordie Run clobber.
Before kick off, I recorded an interview for the Pod on The Tyne podcast with George Caulkin and Chris Waugh. There were some great questions and I'm looking forward to listening to the show next week. You'd struggle to meet two nicer guys. I'm hugely grateful for their support and the chance to talk to them during the run across the USA this summer.
Speaking of nice people, George's Mam was over visiting from Portland, Oregon. She is a quite remarkable lady. Full of love and enthusiasm, I really enjoy speaking to her. Later in the day she made a very generous donation to St. Benedict's Hospice via the Justgiving page.
I also managed a chat with Biffa from nufc.com before kick off. Regular readers will know just how much he has done for Run Geordie Run and the charities I've raised funds for. From publicity to donations and offers of support from nufc.com readers, his contribution to the cause has been immeasurable.
Newcastle led 1-0 at half time. I made my way down to the pitch as the half time whistle blow. There waiting for me was Justin Lockwood. He has interviewed me on numerous occasions on the pitch and has the advantage of knowing the Run Geordie Run back story from his time at Real Radio in particular.
I was able to get the message across about the up coming run across the USA, which charity it is for and how to donate. One of my pals situated in the Leazes east corner commented "You spoke well at half time well done".
A huge thank you to Newcastle United for the opportunity to raise the profile of the run and to Justin for allowing me to get all of the key points across.
Saturday ended with £155 added to the USA 2025 charity total for St. Benedict's Hospice giving £12,040.74 raised so far.
It was time to being the long journey to the USA on Sunday. Immense feelings of homesickness dominated the morning and I hadn't even stepped out of the house yet. I knew this day would come again but I wasn't prepared for it. I've never been great at saying goodbye. Leaving home for 110 days is the hardest part of my running events. I can take whatever the USA has to throw at me. Death Valley at the height of summer will be extremely tough. One thing is for sure, it won't be as tough as leaving Donna and Órlaith behind at home. There is only one cure for it and that is to do my absolute best and keep moving forward for 100 days all the way from New York to California.
While homesickness presents the biggest risk to this run, I do try and maintain a sense of perspective. There are people in our armed forces, for example, who are way from home for months on end, year in and year out. I'm also lucky to have a family to return to. Many others haven't or have a limited amount of time left with them. The personal sacrifice I've made is self inflicted. Given the money that is raised for St. Benedict's Hospice, it's absolutely worthwhile.
Back to matters in hand and support man Carlton and I set off for London on the 1350 train to Kings Cross. If being armed with 2 cases each wasn't;t enough, we were about to make life a bit more difficult in Newcastle Central Station. Imagine the scene:
- Carlton: "I’ll get the coffees in".
- Carlton returns with massive coffees
- We both realise that we have 2 heavy suitcases to get into the train
- I neck my coffee and get on the train
- Carlton somehow carries his coffee AND gets his 2 suitcases on the train.
Carlton's balancing act was very impressive indeed!
The train journey passed byvery quickly. We got talking to a really nice couple who got on at Grantham. I gave them a leaflet and we talked about the run across the USA and St. Benedict's Hospice. As it happens, Steve (as I later found he was called) was originally from where the hospice used to be situated. He and his wife, Sue, made a kind donation and we said our goodbyes. It was a really nice end to the journey.
Carlton (pictured below) and I then made our way to the hotel in Heathrow via a tricky commute on the tube followed by a short bus journey.
Carlton's good company together with the good humoured chatter on the support team WhatsApp group helped to take my mind off leaving home. The £70 added to the USA 2025 charity fund for St. Benedict's Hospice really helped too. In the week that the charity fund smashed the £11,000 barrier it's pleasing to report that the £12,000 barrier has been smashed too.
It's now time for lights out as there is a 0600 alarm awaiting. We leave for New York at 1000. There's no turning back now.
