The last Blog......

Well this is it, the final blog...I can't believe its actually done and dusted (the run that is)....Well I can in that I AM TIRED...physically I'm well exhausted and decided that writing this last blog versus heading out for a small jog is way more fun :) I figure one last try to squeeze some money for the Anna Foundation, then I think I am well and truly done and no more pestering you poor innocent folks!

The run is over, the money raised has been AWESOME...I'm really so blown away by the wonderful donations from so many of you out there. I personally was never one to respond to fundraising pleas, for me as a South African, I suppose it was not really in our culture, too many people were in need to be able to help...I never knew people did stuff like this until I met some Brits who did.....  I took part in the basic fundraising like kids do at school and stuff, but the thought of donating to charities or to organisations never really crossed my mind.  I personally am very sceptical about where the money often goes, it makes me angry to hear about millions being donated to areas and then seeing that the money has not been used appropriately....I have a belief that you teach a man to fish and it helps him more than giving him a fish if that makes sense??  Hence my want to work in education I suppose....ANYWAYS, as I have said before, this whole process was so very new to me, but I needed to do something, I, through some random thing called fate (I suppose) ended up doing this little thing I have done and WOW I'm a convert....Maybe I'm growing up and not being so stuck in my beliefs that charity money is 'always' used by the wrong people for the wrong reasons....I have also realised that well...its the normal people like myself who can help, take responsibility and help make changes in the world, the politicians sure are hashing up their jobs...even if what I do is small, its something and if more of us stepped up and did it I suppose all the small things create a bigger thing and walla before you know it, change occurs...the right people are helped, a cure is discovered...maybe I am wrong, I don't know, but yea, I'm a convert and I know this won't be the last time I do something like this.  There is also a huge element of self fulfillment in this process, so its not entirely unselfish either, I don't think I will ever be rid of my selfishness but well I can try be a better person I suppose ;)  

Now what has blown me away is that so many of you who have donated come from 'cultures' like mine where donating really is not done, its a new thing....so this has made me even more excited, you have all been so generous and well I suppose I'm just thrilled about it (cheesy I know!).... I know times are tight in most households these days and yet so many of you peeps have reached out and donated... Every cent will help towards making the future of a child in SA, who does not have the benefit of the education/wealth that we are used to, so much more possible, thank you.  Hopefully through this foundation, we are feeding into the next generation, doing our bit to make them a happy and educated and thoughtful bunch of peeps!!!!  

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

As of tonight the amount is R10 605 which is 608 Euros or £478 (to help you put it in perspective). Honestly what a thrill....There is still time to add to this amount...so PLEASE if you did not donate, but would have like to PLEASE click here and donate, every cent helps the Anna Foundation stay afloat and do the good they are doing!

Ok manipulation bit over....now about the last final crappy run....

As I was running on Saturday morning there were so many thoughts going round and round in my head, so many profound deep thoughts ...but now I have no idea how to end this blog in any way profound and deep, I really do not feel profound or deep tonight, just tired! It was a HARD run, it was a lonely run and well we have covered the topic of the 'huonosti-ness' of the weather and I reapeat it was very very 'huonosti'...but well, I committed to it, I had so many people commit to me and well..it had to be done....All I can say is thank goodness its over....Maybe next year I can actually get to Cape Town and do the run in style :) Standing amongst 16 000 runners rather ran standing by myself....At least I could have farted amongst a large group like that and gone unnoticed...whereas the little old man passing me did give me a bit of a glare as I set off!!

Here is the route I ran, taken from my Polar watch...21.5kms in 2 h 40 mins....Slow, but considering I walked a large part of the last 3kms, I am more than pleased with this time.

Me (if you did not recognise the very porno outfit by now) at the start, still smiling and very cheerful and chirpy!! I set out just before 9 am after looking at the dire weather forecast for the morning.....My husband joined me as I set off, he was the 'race official' for the day.

I was very surprised, but happy to see my next 'race official' not too far into the run. I had kind of told everyone I did not want support as I was worried I would not manage and well the weather was crappy and I gave a few very good reasons why they should not bother coming out....however, 'fix it lady K' managed to meet me along the first loop around Pykkosjärvi and take some pics and just provide some encouragement. 

For the next pic if you look closely you can see my hump...Basically I had a hydration pack on, worn under my coat, I have never had the joy of seeing just how silly it looks (thank goodness), no wonder people stare at times!! I now feel like I could be renamed the hunchback runner of Oulu...Yet another reason to look forward to warmer weather and being able to wear 'normal' running gear in sensible ways. I just clearly am never going to look like the suave Finnish runners I see out there! Please note even though it was miff weather, I only had to wear the porno pink winter gloves about 5ks into the run and not the woolen gloves over them at any stage :) So really it was rather warm...

Halfway through I was met again by the lads...my sons first question after looking around for the other runners was...Are you the last runner mom?! Nothing like a little boost when you need it....Got to love my son...He then told me he was VERY bored and would I please hurry up. Pressure pressure....

Heading over the bridge and river onto Toppilansaari.. My favorite harbour, I think I have posted pictures of this section many times over these past few months, usually im feeing euphoric by this section of my run...anticipating the gorgeous views to come...however on Saturday this spot was when I started to feel the distance and the tiredness began to creep in....negative thoughts started creeping in at this stage for me....

Then it got tough...very very hard....the body was tired...the mind was tired and I wanted it over...the thoughts going through my mind by this time were too wicked to dare repeat....Shall we say I have a rather fruity vocabulary ;)

The grey lonesome scenery did not really help the enthusiasm at this stage of the run...so along with the sleet/rain and wind the last few kms were really tough. I had to get my extra rain jacket from my husband and wear it for the last part over my already soaking porno green one, I did not have the energy to change jakets, I figured more layers would not hurt at this stage....I also have to admit that the last 3 kms were a lot of walking and a little bit of running...I just ran out of steam and vavoom.....So I figured, rather just finish than totally give up...so I walk/ran...

The last 200m were very exciting... as I crossed the final 'robot' (Traffic light for non-South Africans) I saw my husband and son waiting and then realised so too were 'fix it lady K' and my 'personal trainer E'.... It was lovely.  I could hear the South African National anthem as well! It all looked so very official/like the end of a 'real' race and was fantastic I HAD DONE IT and not been alone in my craziness either.

Now not only were they all there, I was awarded with a medal that had been made and sent over from the UK for this very run of mine.....THANK YOU C. It will be treasured...(I will not hand it over to my little magpie who has not stopped asking if he can have it!) 

What was just so perfect was that during the run I had been contemplating contacting the two oceans office in SA and asking if there was any ways I could get a medal even though what I had done was nothing official or in South Africa. No need to now, I have my very own personalised medal for my efforts, which to be honest is even be more special due to the thought and care that had gone into it...... brilliant....

I was presented my medal by my son along with a very cool blanket with the Finnish flag on.

I feel this picture makes me look very royal and I don't know maybe I do have some royal blood flowing through my veins....but well, it shows my awesome medal and just the relief I was feeling that it was over with!!!!!!!!

Normally before a run, I suffer a bit of nerves, but nothing like I felt the days leading up to this little run...For some reason I felt so much more nervous/anxious/worried than I normally do...I think it was the sheer 'responsibility' of it all...I had set out to do something, promised people I would do it, harrassed them to the point that they even dared to sponsor me to do it and then the reality of what I had done set in. I've run a few marathons, half marathons, man I've even cycled across Thailand on 'the Iron Horse', I know im strong, but NEVER has it been for anything more than the sheer pleasure of it, selfish and indulgent and fun, but no pressure at all...However with this run it was different, It was NOT just for me. Along with this realisation came the worry about not coming through, that maybe I had over sold myself and my ability...maybe it was too much thinking I could train over the winter, I knew I could have done more...I don't like to promise something and not go through with it, especially if it affects other people, I have done it too much over the last few years, I did NOT want to let them down. So I was worried I would not get it done, that I would let people down......So when I got to this point (ie the royal wave), I think the relief that I had actually gone through with it, regardless of having to change the plan constantly throughout the process, the relief that I was done and could see the people who had been my support from the start waiting for me at the end...what a relief!!!

A special thanks to my wonderful little family, my husband and son...My dear man had rushed around Oulu all morning with a sulky, bored kid to take photos of his crazy wife...carrying extra clothes and supplies in case.....To 'Fix it lady K' for being there from the very first email and being my first sponsor, saying I could do it from the first day...To my 'personal trainer E', just for the support and belief in me...You are a wonderful woman and I so appreciate you having been on pretty much most of my runs with me here in Oulu. You may not know it but you provided the support I needed at the very start of this whole process in terms of running very slowly with me and never making me feel like I was barking up the wrong tree!!!!!!! You kept me going during last years Terwa Kymppi and that HORRENDOUS weather on that day too...and for this run, there you were too...Thank you...

Now not forgetting this was Easter Weekend, I finished the day off at a traditional Finnish KOKKO - a massive motherf*** bonfire that is burnt each easter in Finland....I like to think this photo depicts 'the spirit of the fire' clapping her hands in thanks that the run was over and I could relax now :) (or something cool like that...)

So anyways, here ends this particular journey...Thank you to all of you who have actually trawled through this blog as I've done it (and we all know how I waffle and how horrendous my grammar and typing really is!)...the whole process of raising money, of keeping a blog of trying to not give up has been for me, a real lesson....It has made me realise (possibly remember) I too can make a difference, its pointless sitting around waiting for someone else to stand up and take the initiative, OR to sit around waiting for the time when I will get to fulfill my life long dreams...I'm now a grown up, if not now, WHEN??? 

If I want the world to change, well I best get busy, if I want to my son to grow up to be a citizen of the world I can be proud of, well its my job to do it first, to set an example on how its done.....Rather enlightening as IT IS a lot easier to sit down and feel very sorry for myself... I have done a lot of that over the past few years...I'm tired of it!

My battle with my depression and accepting my life as it is now continues. I try to do it day by day and make sure I do not forget the bigger picture, im one of the very lucky and blessed people in the world, I can not forget this.....For me this is going to be a lifelong battle, running I fear is never going to be easy, I mean come on I've two companions who follow behind me where ever I go, but well being a traditionally built lass from South Africa, some things are inevitable.....I will never run in the Olympics!! Butt (haha) I can run for me and for my health.

What a thrill to be able to say I did it..I fecking ran throughout the Finnish winter and I ran a 21km run in the crappiest conditions I could have imagined...AND I managed to raise over R 10 000 for a cause I always have dreamed of being involved with in the process...The support of so many of you really made it even more worthwhile...I realised no matter where in the world I am, I'm still surrounded by special and awesome peeps..WOOHOO like I say, I'm a lucky lass!

As we say in Finland KITTOS KITTOS...

Last chance to donate to a VERY WORTHY CAUSE .

If you still reading, WOW, you sure have staying power....

LOL Bales