Chapter 7 It’s getting real.

Throughout this procees I cant thank my running partners Will and soon to be Ali James enough. She cheekily named our what’s app group Forest Gumps mission. Mid September and she pushes me into a 13 mile run/walk session, 2 hours 30 mins on our legs and 13 miles completed, 2 hours running and 30 mins walking. 7 weeks to go but I’ve now heard of something called “tapering” apparently I have 5 weeks as you back off before the main event.

The following weekend I fly out to Cyprus for m y stepdaughter’s wedding, I cant believe I’ve packed running equipment. The morning after landing I set of on a run, our hotel complex is called Aphrodite Hills and I fast discover why. The road very quickly becomes dirt track and at 8 am its 27 degrees, not the best conditions to run. 6 miles was all I could manage when I check the Garmin I realise I’ve gone up (and back down) 750 feet.

On return I manage another 13, still walking and running but 9 miles running before I walk. I am starting to believe again but wishing I had more time. Since I left Cyprus on the 29th I haven’t had any alcohol, Stoptober is part of my final training. I think that is tougher than the running!.

Mid October, 3 weeks to go and completer my long run/walk of 16 miles, 2 ½ hours running 35 mins of walking. One more week to do a long run then its’ taper off. This ridiculous project will soon be over. Whilst I have written about the personal challenge of this we cant lose sight of the the difficulties of Howard and Laura’s excellent cause and that’s what keeps me putting one foot in front of the other.

Chapter 6 – Physio

At work the left leg is still painful and I am getting ridiculed for sitting with an ice pack on it, I manage to get an appointment with Emma Daives Sports Physio. Apparently I have week glutes (bottom) particularly in the left cheek. My new route had a bad camber on the road and I was compensating resulting in my left side going. I get the toughest and sorest massage I’ve ever had, instructed to exercise with resistance bands and told two weeks of easy runs, no more than 5 miles. That weekend I think “I’ll go and do my old route and 5 miles” one mile in the leg went again and I walked back miserable and now panicing that this looks a tall order, I’m running out of time and why did I get myself into this.

I decide to revert back to the treadmill for cushioning and to avoid walking in public, I manage 3 miles running and the pain comes back!. More ice more Ibuprofen and rest a day. I decide I now need miles in the legs and embark on a mixture of running and walking, focusing on time rather than miles. I manage 1½ hours but only 6.8 miles. Its now 10 weeks to go and feels a tall order.

Now on rest days I’m using the cross trainer to help with the impact on the shin in the hope it helps with the fitness. My goal of getting to 20 miles seems a tall order and I’m resigned to the fact this marathon is going to be a mix of running and walking. 1st week of September and with the mission of not overdoing the leg and running and walking I do a 8.5 and push for a 10, 10 miles in 2 hours is not a fancy time but now I am past caring about times and just want to be able to finish.

Chapter 5- Highs and lows

The first weekend in August we go visiting in Glasgow and I cant believe that I am taking my running stuff! What has this project turned me into. I set in from the house and realise this is the first time I have encountered hills. My elevation change around home is 75 feet up or down when I complete this one it’s been 650ft up and 650 feet down. I set off for 5 miles but it felt ok, I went a bit further and a bit further still I am now in the east side of the City. I realise saying “morning” with my English twang as I pass people might not be the best thing to do so I start just nodding. At 5.5 miles I decide to head back but a different route and that will be a nice 11 miles. Now out of drink and feeling the hills I pause the watch and pop into a tesco express and buy a drink and a bag of Haribo. 11 miles completed and starting to believe again which proves dangerous.

The following weekend I pick a new route from home, another 11 miles on the agenda. At Broughton Bridge I hit 5 miles but my shin, knee and hip as feeling it, I decide to walk for 5 mins to free it off. Wrong decision as I am now heading down the track the wrong side of the river towards Saxby bridge. I try running but only manage 100 yards then walk for another 5 mins. Still can’t get running again. now I realise I’m on a footpath the wrong side of the river and no chance of a car getting near to recover me. I walk on and Clare picks me up a mile from home. 5 miles running and 5 miles walking and an injury to boot, some cheary bugger in our whatsapp group says “12 weeks to go”

Chapter 4-

Coivid wiped me out, it was a strange strain, no energy, lots of sleeping and a metallic taste in my mouth. Not only did I not run the week of the show the following week was a no go too. to add insult to injury I even missed our P&B clay day as I was doing the responsible thing and isolating.

The following week I tried a run, 3 miles nearly finished me off, nothing more until the next week and that was just 4 mile too. I’ve now gone from 20 plus miles/week 4 weeks ago to one run per week and only managing short distances. Next week I managed 2 short runs, my head has gone and so has my fitness. We are now 15 week to go and thoughts of “could I use long covid as my excuse to drop out? “ what a mental challenge this has become.

I perceivere and do a 7 and a 5 with only one rest day, I’m still beating myself up that I’ve fell so far back bit at least I’m running.

If youv’e never entered a marathon before you wont understand the stress, apparently you don’t just turn up and run. I’ve had to book a time to collect my number, a time to drop a bag off for the end of the race, pick my starting pen time, book a bus time. Why am I ruining a good weekend in New York for this!

Chapter 3 – Half Marathon euphoria.

Into May and I was at the limit of what I could do without a drink, I left a bottle on the bridge on my trek to Saxby bridge and on the way back when I stopped for a drink I nearly fell in the dyke, what an idiot I nettled both hand and arms but at least I stayed dry. You think you only need trainers to be a runner at this point Marcus kindly kitted me up with a back pack with bottles. Did I feel a plonker the first time I stepped out with that on. Oh and I also got introduced to gels and blocks. I continued my two shorter and one longer run. 6 went to 10 through May, another milestone. My secret every time was to run further from home so I couldn’t quit.

Early June went to 11 and then the following week (the week before the Lincs show) I skipped 12 and did 13 miles, another milestone. At this point I am believing I can do it, hating it now because of the time it takes and that I had to get up at 430am to fit it in but believing I can do it. Half way and still 20 weeks to go. You don’t realise how far your route takes you to get to 13 miles. That week I was on top of the world, I also did a 3 mile park run on Saturday and a 6.5 mile on Sunday.

I decided to have the week of the show off, the weather was kind and we had a great show. So far the story has been of great progress and positivity (and a little pain). I’ve even invested in a Garmin, a watch that I will never wear again after this project!

Like life or business though things can change so quickly, I caught Covid at the show! Get ready for the crash in the next instalment.

Monday 16th September - Chapter 2 - The early miles

3 miles complete none stop! 3 miles of hating every step with your brain telling you to give in, you can’t do it, you’re crazy etc. imagine every step thinking “why didn’t they choose an easy bike ride”. Through April 3 miles became 4, then 5 as I followed Clive’s great advice. Still hating it but still pushing on, fear of failure the biggest driver. The 6 mile/10k was the first big milestone, how chuffed was I at my own achievement! (still hating it)

For a grown man the first Park Run was a daunting thought, Clive said “you’ll not be first and you wont be last – just do it” thankfully local farmer Will James came to the rescue and offered to come with me and that hurdle was conquered. Through April we managed 3 park runs, another milestone was that we always beat the previous time. We even got a mention every week for our new PB’s. It did get competitive though on one run the bugger blocked me behind some slower runners just before the sprint to the line. For those that haven’t tried a Park Run but would like to have a go. Very well orgainsed but as relaxed as you want it to be, well supported and a lot of fun.

I'm now at the stage where I cant remember what I talked about before as every conversation seems to involve running. I think those that know regret asking “how it going” I’ve been to Leeds to run on a treadmill in a shop, the young man smirked when I told him what I was up to and I now have an expensive pair of trainers. Also despite all this running I’m not loosing any weight as I’m drinking and eating more to numb the pain.

I am Graham Main, 15 years Managing Director of Peacock and Binnington covering North Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. At 54 years old I’ve dabbled with a lot of sports for fun rather than dedication. Mostly racket sports and golf and even windsurfing but never anything that involved a high level of cardio. In fact all those years ago at school I would dodge long distances and take short cuts on cross country. When sports day came around the 100 meters was my event and surprisingly I was champion two years running (poor competition).

As the largest UK MF combine dealer we have worked closely with Howard Warnes over the years and have a fantastic personal and business relationship. There are no words fitting to express the emotion of the tragic experience that his wife Laura went through at Christmas made even worse that they were expecting their first child and it should have been a Christmas to celebrate. In December 2023 Laura became unwell resulting in a serious brain injury. Laura was diagnosed with Acute Hemorrhagic Leucoencephalitis (AHLE), a very rare form of ADEM which is an inflammatory disease of the brain.

The idea “let’s do something for Howard and Laura” quickly turned into “let’s run the New York Marathon” not too quirky when 4 of the 6 were experienced Marathon runners. I wasn’t part of the initial 6, when I heard the story as an avid non-runner I thought you must be crazy. A week later in now mid March In a whirlwind of emotion and to be honest a mixture of Howard & Laura and the fear of missing out I’d committed to join them, bear in mind at this point I couldn’t even run a mile nonstop!

After 2 attempts of jumping straight into week 5 of couch to 5k and struggling I realise the enormity of the challenge. I went and met an old colleague who had marathon experience and he gave me great advice, firstly said “if you really want to do it there is 7 months and enough time to train”. At this point I’m not wanting to do it but the thought of the great cause and the ridicule of dropping out got me. He said get the miles into your legs but do not over do it, no more than 3 runs per week. Build up to complete your couch to 5k and then push yourself to do one more mile per week on one of the runs. Sounds easy, it’s not!.

We are late getting our sponsorship pages sorted as we needed to see how best to help Laura. I have personally funded the entire trip so every little will go direct to this great cause. I have been keeping progress reports which I intend to add to this page but for now let’s end on I’m not a runner, won’t be taking it up as a hobby but I’m in and committed.

'Please read a little more about Laura's journey from her Husband Howard...

For anyone who doesn’t know Laura she is a strong, determined young woman who puts everything she has into the things she loves. Whether it’s her horses, dogs or family and friends, she always gives her all, in all aspects of life. Leading a fit and healthy life where her passion for horses has seen her compete across the UK in numerous Showjumping events. Her love of dogs sparked an opportunity to turn another passion into a business where she setup and runs her own dog grooming salon, Maple Barns Dog Grooming. We have been together for almost 15 years and both excited for the future expecting our first child in 2024.

In December 2023 Laura became unwell resulting in a serious brain injury. Laura was diagnosed with Acute Hemorrhagic Leucoencephalitis (AHLE), a very rare form of ADEM which is an inflammatory disease of the brain. At this point Laura was 7 months pregnant.

The decision was made on Christmas Eve to deliver our baby 10 weeks early whilst Laura was in an induced coma due to the seriousness of her condition.

Thankfully our daughter Esme was born without any complications and has grown since into the perfect bundle of joy we all hoped for. Laura was transferred from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to Addenbrookes Hospital to give her the best chance of survival.

After the treatment at Addenbrookes Laura was transferred back to Norwich to start her rehabilitation journey where, after some time at the hospital, she was transferred to the Coleman Centre, a facility which specialises in rehab for Laura’s condition. Laura is now tackling a long rehabilitation programme. The damage to her brain means Laura can no longer care for herself, and as I write this, she is unable to speak, move unaided or feed herself. She requires 24 hour care and assistance. We hope Laura has the strength to recover and as a family we are there to support her every step of the way.

As a family, we have decided to set up this page to fund the resources Laura requires when she comes home to continue her rehab. The money raised will contribute to numerous aspects of Lauras journey including adaptations to the house allowing Laura to have the space she needs to access and live in her home environment. A specialist vehicle to allow us to get Laura to her rehab sessions at the hospital as well as getting her out of the house to visit her horses, family and friends. It will also assist with the needs of raising our daughter whilst adapting to this massive change in our lives.

We know the road is long and hard, but we appreciate the family, friends, work colleagues and well-wishers who surround us. We couldn’t do this without all of the love and support that we are receiving.

We really do appreciate it.

Howard, Laura & Esme'