Blind Dave's Blog

THE GREAT NORTH RUN

04-10-2006

Black Country marathon runner Blind Dave Heeley on his latest domestic mishap, bus drivers who don't know their route and preparations for the New York marathon.

Hi Stirrers, it's been certainly a different week.

Either my social standing is getting better or the Sandwell dignitaries are struggling for people to support their events, as we were invited to a social evening hosted by the Mayor of Sandwell. It was a very nice night with bites and drinks -how the other half do live. Maybe I was the only guide dog owner available that evening; mind you I reckon the Mayor is stalking me as she was at the McMillan's coffee morning I went to on Friday, it's either that or I'm using the right after shave (that's even more worrying as I don't use any!)

This week has also thrown out an on going concern; public transport and I also have a useful tip. First my concern. I had reason to use our great public transport the other day, I say great because I find the Metro the only way to travel, pity the tram lines were taken up all those years ago, we should have more metros every where. Buses are fine but when I was on one the other day, for the third time of asking on a longish journey I asked the driver to put me off at a well known land mark on this particular route. “Where, what road is this on?”, he asked. “The Newton Road “ I replied. His answer - "Where?”.

I am now worried. The driver at the front of the bus, I hope holding the round thing that steers it, is directing this bus from A to Bbut doesn't know where a major road on his route is. I think the local bus companies and especially Centro have some explaining to do, although they haven't answered the same question I asked on the previous two occasions. So guess what -I walked home, I thought it best, I actually know where West Brom is.

Now my useful tip; don't put a bottle of beer in the freezer to chill quickly for ten minutes! Then forget about it and go to bed. I remembered the following morning and the contents had separated all on their own. Ofcourse I only discovered this whenI put my hand in the freezer, I needed a plaster, surprise, surprise, am I a plonker or what?

The highlight of the week was the Great North Run, once again tremendous. Being blind occasionally offers a few privileges and starting directly behind the wheel chair competitors, 30 minutes before the masses start, is to me a privilege.

We were dropped off on Sunday morning around 8 am and the whole place was buzzing, there where thousands of competitors chatting, and already getting changed, music from the local radio station stirring up the legs and minds, it's such a buzz you want to get going right away, they have an uncanny knack of playing the right kind of music.

Interviews with many competitors make you realise why so many people run this event, the charities that are represented and the reasons why so many, push themselves to the limit for so many personal reasons. For me, I simply listen to what is going on around me and it makes me feel very proud to say I'm a part of this fabulous day.

Mac and myself were standing behind the wheelchairs with another four blind pairings waiting for the start, having a chat and a laugh and Mac said looking back all he could see was a sea of runners as far as the eye could see.

The big screen showed us all and we gave a wave to the camera and the kids, watching back at home. Evenafter five consecutive Great Norths, I still feel a sense of excitement, then we were off. The wheelchairs disappeared into the distance and Mac and myself were literally leading the Great North run, it's such a fantastic feeling as all the elite runners are warming up, but they stop and give us blind runners such an encouraging start, their applause makes you feel ten foot tall Our first mile was completed in just over six minutes, but we soon slowed and set our pace for the duration of the run. It's now enjoy yourself time, the crowds are even more encouraging, wall to wall shouts, whistles, clapping and my face has a smile from ear to ear.

The elite ladies over took us at between three and five miles, do they shift or what, but we held off the elite men until around eleven and half miles and they shift even quicker, but what an experience. Just before the elite men passed us it was satisfying to hear some one from the crowd shout out in a broad Geordie accent, “Well bonny lads I see your leading the Great North again this year”, fantastic to think he remembered us from last year.

The turn at around twelve miles towards the sea front and the finish is breath taking, the noise from the crowd all the way to the finish is unbelievable, at times I couldn't hear what Mac was saying and when we passed the Guide Dogs cheering bus, it put a lump in my throat as it was my name they were hollering, absolutely fantastic.

We crossed the finish line in 1 hour 38 minutes, we grabbed our goody bag and the most important item, the medal, and it was worth 13.1 miles just for that. The guide dog marquee was just as welcoming, especially when Jim from the Newcastle branch thrust a cool can of Murphy's in my hand, not the ideal drink for recovery, but what the hell I enjoyed it, what a perfect end to a great run.

I must also applaud a good friend who wanted to simulate how I run He did the whole run blind folded, I admire his courage, but I will tell you more about Garry in a few weeks, as he intends running Liverpool next week and also the Great South blind folded, raising a lot of money for guide dogs in the process.

Well that's another Great North over, where are the weeks and years going, next stop Liverpool and it's going to be an experience for Mac as he will be guiding both Garry and myself, it could prove to be a very interesting run, so watch this space and hopefully I'll be here to tell the tale next week, so good luck and good health to you all, here's Blind Dave signing off.

www.justgiving.com/blinddave

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