Ways to support Run Geordie Run's 2 chosen charities.

There are a number of ways to support the 2 charities that Run Geordie Run is raising funds for (St Benedict's Hospice and The Children's Foundation). In response to a few emails that I've received today here they are. Oh and I should mention that thanks to my pals at Peter's Pies, for every £1 paid, they will add 50p! This unbelievably generous offer expires at midnight on 31/12/2009.

Run Geordie Run T-Shirt

T-Shirts are priced at £10 each with the full £10 going to the charities. Production for each t-shirt was paid for by nufc.com reader Peter McCowie and made, at cost price, by my friends at www.customplanet.co.uk. They are screen printed, front and back, for durable and long term use. If you would like a t-shirt then please follow these 2 easy steps:

1) Pay £10 per t-shirt required to www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 (St Benedict's Hospice) or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2 (The Children's Foundation). Or you could choose to split your payment and pay £5 to each charity. The choice is yours. Cheques payable to either charity are also accepted. Please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com for details on where to post your cheque.

2) Email rungeordierun@googlemail.com with details of how many t-shirts you would like, size(s) and where they should be posted to.

Run Geordie Run CD

Geordie Band, THE EXILES, have written and recorded 2 songs to support the 3100 mile run across the USA. They are entitled "Runner on a lonely road" and "Beneath the angel's wings once more". The artist's time and expenses were kindly given free of charge allowing the full £3 per CD to go to the 2 charities.

If you would like a CD then please follow these 2 easy steps:

1) Pay a minimum donation of £3 per CD required to www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 (St Benedict's Hospice) or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2 (The Children's Foundation). Or you could choose to split your payment and donate to each charity. The choice is yours. Cheques payable to either charity are also accepted. Please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com for details on where to post your cheque.

2) Email rungeordierun@googlemail.com with details of how many CDs you would like and where they should be posted to.

The 3000 scheme

Running 3100 miles across the USA is a massive undertaking. Just like the 2007 run from John O'Groats to Lands End, I'll be running in memory of lost family members such as my parents Margery and Terry and my brother David. I don't want the dedication to lost loved ones to stop there, however.

I want to open up this event to as many people as I can. Apart from the obvious effects of raising 10's of thousands of pounds for the 2 charities, it is my sincere hope that this run will have as far reaching an effect as possible and will serve to inspire and to give hope and comfort to as many people as possible. I know from the 1000's of emails I've received over the last few years, just how much the run in 2007 and the cause I was running for meant to all of those people who got in touch. It soon became apparent that for every 1 runner like me, there are thousands of stories of great loss but usually great inspiration also.

It is my hope that 3000 miles of the run from California to New York in 2011 will be dedicated to the memory of a lost loved one. I will create a register on this site of all of the names and provide space for a comment or dedication to be left if the recipient wishes. These people will be in my thoughts as I run each mile and I will most certainly hope to draw on the dedications left for inspiration as well as running in their memory. There will be a nominal cost of £2 for each mile. It will be the recipients choice whether this will go to St Benedict's Hospice or The Children's Foundation.

If you would like to dedicate a mile of the 3000 across the USA in memory of a lost loved one then please follow these 2 easy steps:

1) Pay £2 per mile that you wish to dedicate in memory of a lost loved one to www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 (St Benedict's Hospice) or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2 (The Children's Foundation). Or you could choose to split your payment and donate to each charity. The choice is yours. Cheques payable to either charity are also accepted. Please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com for details on where to post your cheque.

2) Email rungeordierun@googlemail.com with the following details:

a) Your name or family name.
b) The name of the person I'll be running in memory of.
c) A dedication and/or some information about the person I'll be running in memory of (Optional).
d) A picture of the person I'll be running in memory of. (Optional).
e) Whether you'd be happy for me to include some or all of the above details in a register on this website and if you'd be happy to have the person's name mentioned on this site during the run. You can supply as much or as little information as you would like.

Hopefully, all miles will be dedicated but one thing is for sure, it will be an honour and a privilege to run in the memory of all of those people who are sadly no longer with us.

Traditional pledges

Finally, any donation to the 2 charities, no matter how large or small would be greatly appreciated. A donation can be made following this 1 easy step:

1) Make your pledge to www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 (St Benedict's Hospice) orwww.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2 (The Children's Foundation). Or you could choose to split your payment and donate to each charity. The choice is yours. Cheques payable to either charity are also accepted. Please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com for details on where to post your cheque.

Running in memory of.....

Running 3100 miles across the USA is a massive undertaking. Just like the 2007 run from John O'Groats to Lands End, I'll be running in memory of lost family members such as my parents Margery and Terry and my brother David.

I don't want the dedication to lost loved ones to stop there, however. I want to open up this event to as many people as I can. Apart from the obvious effects of raising 10's of thousands of pounds for the 2 charities, it is my sincere hope that this run will have as far reaching an effect as possible and will serve to inspire and to give hope and comfort to as many people as possible. I know from the 1000's of emails I've received over the last few years, just how much the run in 2007 and the cause I was running for meant to all of those people who got in touch. It soon became apparent that for every 1 runner like me, there are thousands of stories of great loss but usually great inspiration also.

It is my hope that 3000 miles of the run from California to New York in 2011 will be dedicated to the memory of a lost loved one. Nearer the time of the run, I will create a register on this site of all of the names and provide space for a comment or dedication to be left if the recipient wishes. These people will be in my thoughts as I run each mile and I will most certainly hope to draw on the dedications left for inspiration as well as running in their memory. There will be a nominal cost of £2 for each mile. It will be the recipients choice whether this will go to St Benedict's Hospice or The Children's Foundation.

If you would like to have a mile of the USA run in 2011 dedicated to the memory of someone please follow these steps:

1) Pay £2 by visiting either justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 for St Benedict's Hospice or justgiving.com/rungeordierun2 for The Children's Foundation. The choice is yours as to which charity to donate to.

2) Email rungeordierun.com@googlemail.com with the following details:

a) Your name or family name.

b) The name of the person I'll be running in memory of.

c) A dedication and/or some information about the person I'll be running in memory of.

d) A picture of the person I'll be running in memory of.

e) Whether you'd be happy for me to include some or all of the above details in a register on this website and if you'd be happy to have the person's name mentioned on this site during the run. You can supply as much or as little information as you would like.

Hopefully, all miles will be dedicated, but one thing is for sure, it will be an honour and a privilege to run in the memory of all of those people who are sadly no longer with us.

Run Geordie Run sinks to new depths!

Have a look at this superb photo! I was gob smacked when I first saw it. It was sent to me by work colleague Richard Scholfield who was also a very generous sponsor of my run from John O'Groats to Lands End in 2007.

Richard was one of the first people to buy a Run Geordie Run t-shirt and he's obviously put it to very good use in an attempt to help spread the word of the next big run across the USA in 2011.

The photo was taken at a depth of 30 metres on the floor of "The Canyon"; a famous dive site near Dahab, on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.

I'm reliably informed that 30 metres is generally accepted as the maximum depth achievable using recreational scuba equipment! Richard went on to explain "The wall behind us rises about 10-12m vertically, and there is a similar wall (creating the canyon) just behind the photographer, so its a fairly claustrophobic place, and not an easy dive.". Wow!

Pictured from left to right are Doug Biggs (Instructor & Guide), Susi Moser and Richard Scholfield. It sounded like a bit of a multinational effort, as Susi is Swiss, and the camera was deftly wielded by Mia, who is Swedish!

USA 2011 Training Summary - Week 56

The Run Geordie Run Training Summary is brought to you in association with Northern Runner, 52 Low Friar Street (Just down from the Gate), Newcastle.

Why not visit the Northern Runner shop and let the experts examine your feet to recommend the best shoe for you. Alternatively, click on the link to the left to go straight to their website.

Sunday 22nd November - 10.5 mile run, The 6 Bridges Challenge. (01:39:46).

Friday 27th November - 2.6 mile run, Jesmond to Gosforth. (00:23:54).

Friday 27th November - 2.7 mile run, Gosforth to Jesmond. (00:24:26).

Saturday 28th November - David Fairlamb's Beach Bootcamp. (00:45:00).

The route

This is the latest draft of the route to give you a rough idea of where I'll be running in 2011.

 

Location	State	Point	Altitude	Distance	Overall	Day
Huntington Beach	California	1	28	0.00
Rowland Heights	California	2	300	29.45	29.45	0.95
San Bernadino	California	3	1,040	42.00	71.45	2.30
Victorville	California	4	2,714	33.95	105.40	3.40
Barstow	California	5	2,106	40.20	145.60	4.70
Pisgah Crater Rd on Route 66	California	6	1,500	37.50	183.10	5.91
Amboy	California	7	639	41.10	224.20	7.23
Kelso	California	8	2,125	39.20	263.40	8.50
Nipton Road	California	9	2,625	36.65	300.05	9.68
Las Vegas	Nevada	10	2,174	46.35	346.40	11.17
Moapa	Nevada	11	1,704	43.50	389.90	12.58
Mesquite	Nevada	12	1,608	43.80	433.70	13.99
St. George	Arizona	13	2,840	49.70	483.40	15.59
Hildale	Utah	14	5,042	28.90	512.30	16.53
Pipe Spring	Utah	15	4,900	29.25	541.55	17.47
Mt. Carmel Junction	Utah	16	5,200	37.40	578.95	18.68
Panguitch	Utah	17	6,624	50.00	628.95	20.29
Marysvale	Utah	18	5,866	47.00	675.95	21.80
Salina	Utah	19	5,160	46.70	722.65	23.31
Meadow Gulch	Utah	20	7,800	33.20	755.85	24.38
Castle Dale	Utah	21	5,771	41.90	797.75	25.73
Helper	Utah	22	5,840	40.60	838.35	27.04
Duchesne	Utah	23	5,517	43.10	881.45	28.43
Roosevelt	Utah	24	5,100	28.20	909.65	29.34
Vernal	Utah	25	6,109	30.30	939.95	30.32
Dinosaur	Colorado	26	5,900	33.90	973.85	31.41
Hwy 40, Mile Marker 51	Colorado	27	6,693	45.10	1,018.95	32.87
Craig	Colorado	28	6,186	37.70	1,056.65	34.09
Steamboat Springs	Colorado	29	6,728	45.70	1,102.35	35.56
Kremmling	Colorado	30	7,364	48.40	1,150.75	37.12
Winter Park	Colorado	31	9,110	44.90	1,195.65	38.57
Idaho Springs	Colorado	32	7,524	36.70	1,232.35	39.75
Denver	Colorado	33	5,280	31.90	1,264.25	40.78
Byers	Colorado	34	5,201	46.80	1,311.05	42.29
Lindon	Colorado	35	4,899	44.00	1,355.05	43.71
Kirk	Colorado	36	4,200	45.40	1,400.45	45.18
St. Francis	Kansas	37	3,320	46.40	1,446.85	46.67
Road 29 on Hwy 36	Kansas	38	2,850	48.80	1,495.65	48.25
Norton	Kansas	39	2,300	53.10	1,548.75	49.96
Kensington	Kansas	40	1,784	47.10	1,595.85	51.48
Mankato	Kansas	41	1,776	43.00	1,638.85	52.87
Belleville	Kansas	42	1,550	31.60	1,670.45	53.89
Marysville	Kansas	43	1,202	54.60	1,725.05	55.65
Sabetha	Kansas	44	1,318	43.30	1,768.35	57.04
Elwood	Missouri	45	813	50.80	1,819.15	58.68
Hamilton	Missouri	46	994	47.50	1,866.65	60.21
Brookfield	Missouri	47	767	50.40	1,917.05	61.84
Clarence	Missouri	48	600	43.40	1,960.45	63.24
Hannibal	Missouri	49	491	49.30	2,009.75	64.83
Pittsfield	Illinois	50	550	35.30	2,045.05	65.97
New Berlin	Illinois	51	654	53.70	2,098.75	67.70
Decatur	Illinois	52	670	52.70	2,151.45	69.40
Tuscola	Illinois	53	680	41.30	2,192.75	70.73
Rockville	Indiana	54	711	57.20	2,249.95	72.58
Indianapolis	Indiana	55	717	50.60	2,300.55	74.21
Dunreith	Indiana	56	1,036	44.10	2,344.65	75.63
Lewisburg	Ohio	57	1,000	46.70	2,391.35	77.14
South Vienna	Ohio	58	1,200	52.90	2,444.25	78.85
Wagram	Ohio	59	1,061	47.50	2,491.75	80.38
New Concord	Ohio	60	900	53.20	2,544.95	82.10
St. Clairsville	Ohio	61	1,284	57.40	2,602.35	83.95
Washington	West Virginia / Pennsylvania	62	1,100	37.70	2,640.05	85.16
Uniontown	Pennsylvania	63	978	50.90	2,690.95	86.80
Frostburg	Maryland	64	1,500	52.00	2,742.95	88.48
Hancock	Maryland	65	448	48.30	2,791.25	90.04
Waynesboro	Virginia	66	713	39.20	2,830.45	91.30
New Oxford	Pennsylvania	67	561	36.20	2,866.65	92.47
Lancaster	Pennsylvania	68	368	38.00	2,904.65	93.70
Kutztown	Pennsylvania	69	417	49.30	2,953.95	95.29
Washington	Pennsylvania	70	594	50.00	3,003.95	96.90
W. Orange	New Jersey	71	500	47.90	3,051.85	98.45
New York	New York	72	107	33.30	3,085.15	100.00

Run Geordie Run on the big (ish) screen

Children's Foundation Video
Uploaded by 3pointmedia. - Explore more family
videos.

The story so far (PART 4 - Looking forwards)

It's time to bring a close to this week's 4 part series of the "story so far". Over the last few days I've talked about why I chose the charities that I'm raising funds for, how I've been preparing for the mental battle and how well my training has been going over the first year.

There are just 16 months left until I set off from Huntington Beach, California on a 3100 mile run. Believe you me, there isn't a day that goes by where I'm not doing something associated with the event in order to make it a success. There is still loads to organise and plan but I'm sure that it'll all come together in 2010.

ROUTE PLANNING

The first aspect that I need to devote more time to next year is the route planning exercise. I'm fortunate enough to have in my possession a very detailed route. I need to become more familiar with it, though, and reconcile the mileage for my own peace of mind. The sooner I'm able to publish this the better I think as people with then be able to see what a huge task running across the USA is. If they didn't already that is!!

SUPPORT TEAM

One of the most important tasks I need to complete is to put in place the USA 2011 Run Geordie Run Support Team. I've already got the funding in place to accommodate them. i.e. in a Winnaebago. I'll step up the search for the team next year and should look to have it finalised by the end of the Summer of 2010. If you see yourself as a potential member of the team then please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com.

PUBLICITY

Throughout 2010, I'll be looking to spread the word about the run and seek as much good publicity as I can. The Journal newspaper have been very good so far as have nufc.com. In fact, I can safely say that with nufc.com on board again, then this run is guaranteed to raise a lot of money for the 2 charities.

There is the possibility of appearing in Men's Fitness magazine next year. I'll have to be in better "shape" before this is to happen.

In the near future, plans are progressing for the first Run Geordie Run Roadshow. The first of which will involve me running on a treadmill for 8 hours or so in the Metrocentre, Gateshead. This will be a good opportunity to raise further funds and raise the profile of the run at the same time.

I'll be looking to produce more training diaries via You Tube next year which should make for good watching. A local PR company have offered to produce a short promotional film.

It would be brilliant if a production company could pick up on this run and follow me through 2010 and into the actual run in 2011. That's got to be worth doing don't you think? I'd want to watch something like that.

COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP

I'll be pleading to the world of commerce next year in order to try and broker deals similar to the Peter's Pies matching scheme. I'm not asking for outright sponsorship (although that would be nice). Instead, I'm looking to work hard for the commercial sponsor's money by only having it released if a personal donation is made first. I think this serves a few purposes. Most importantly, it encourages people to donate when perhaps they wouldn't have otherwise done. Using the Peter's Pies matching scheme as an example, knowing that £5 gets added to a £10 donation is a great incentive to donate. Add on top of this, the Gift Aid (where applicable) and the donation is just short of £20!

The current Peter's Pies matching scheme expires at midnight on the 31/12/2009. In the first 7 days of the scheme being up and running £200 has been donated in the form of t-shirt sales and traditional pledges. Peter's Pies have added £100 to that figure. I'll be going all out to try and get Peter's Pies to part with even more cash in the remaining 5 weeks of the scheme.

The good thing about this scheme is the fact that I'm constantly mentioning Peter's Pies as I look to attract new sponsors. They also got a good deal of exposure on nufc.com last week. The matching scheme really does reflect well on Peter's Pies I think and is hopefully the first of many such schemes. Fingers crossed!

If you know of a company or small business who would like to contribute to the 2 charities under a similar deal then please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com.

RUN GEORDIE RUN MERCHANDISE

First there were the Run Geordie Run t-shirts (they've raised nearly £1500 so far by the way!). Next up was the Run Geordie Run CD written and recorded by the Exiles (they've raised £200 so far).

I'm currently looking at the feasibility of other types of merchandise. If I had a £1 for everyone who said that there should be a Run Geordie Run calendar then I'd be a rich man. This one is a distinct possibility for 2010 and 2011.

Finally, the possibility of a book covering the run is also a possibility. I have a few good contacts who I'll be pursuing for advice. Watch this space next year for news on that front.

Training

Oh yes! Training! That's the bread and butter of this event and things are about to get even more difficult next year. I'm currently putting together a schedule that focuses very much on running high mileage on consecutive days. I'll be running a maximum of the intended daily average mileage in the USA. i.e. 31 miles a day.

Roughly speaking in the first few months of 2010 I'll build up to 31 miles per day, say, for 2 days a week. The other days in the week will be the regular runs that I've spent the last year doing. The target is that by the end of the Summer in 2010 I'll be able to run 31 miles per day for 7 days. How I combine this with family life, work life and going to the match is an unknown at the moment!

2010 - A crucial year

So there we are folks. There is still so much to do as you can see. I'm sure I've not added a couple of things in this article which I may remember later too! 2010 is without doubt a critical year. It's the year where many aspects of the run should come together and give me a fighting chance of succeeding in 2011.

The third "6 Bridges Challenge"!

The conditions at the start of the 3rd 6 Bridges Challenge were pretty good indeed and not at all consistent with the howling winds and pouring rain of late.

Joining me this week were Jacko (with his New Run Geordie Run t-shirt) and Chopper from week 1, Mike and Tom from week 2 and Craig a new participant who saw the event publicised on Twitter.

We set off just after 9 am and I must say that my aim was just to get round in 1 piece given the nasty cold that I'd failed to shake off all week. Mike also had a cold so I was in good company!

The first indicator that I wasn't on top form was the fact that my heart rate raced to 180 bpm at the top of Bottle Bank where last week it was 160 bpm. I was gasping for air at the top of the bank. Most unusual!

As per usual, the first 5 bridges were out of the way pretty quickly. I then settled into the run and was quite comfortable until we got to the 6.5 mile point. I felt pretty tired for the next mile but that feeling was soon gone as the towering Redheugh Bridge came into sight.

Just like the other 2 attempts on this course we seemed to put as much effort into the banter as the running and this is what I've come to really like about this run. It's not taken too seriously and it's a great chance to catch up with friends and colleagues past and meet new runners at the same time. Having said that, we were almost a minute quicker this week than last and Jacko

I must admit that I would have put this one off until lunchtime had I not advertised it again on the blog, Twitter and Facebook. Knowing that I have to be somewhere to run with people at a set time is great for motivation.

My cold feels a lot better after this run and David Fairlamb's Beach Bootcamp yesterday. I'm not setting my self any targets this week though. I'll just try and get as many miles as I can. One thing is for sure, I'll be doing the 4th 6 Bridges Challenge next Sunday and in the words of Mike Lewis "It's a great route. Anyone wanting to give it a go would really enjoy it.".

USA 2011 Training Summary - Week 55

The Run Geordie Run Training Summary is brought to you in association with Northern Runner, 52 Low Friar Street (Just down from the Gate), Newcastle.

Why not visit the Northern Runner shop and let the experts examine your feet to recommend the best shoe for you. Alternatively, click on the link to the left to go straight to their website.

Sunday 15th November - 10.5 mile run, The 6 Bridges Challenge. (01:40:43).

Saturday 21st November - Beach Bootcamp. (00:45:00).