When the word went round about the Team Honk Relay I knew I wanted to take part and so when the logistics were being ironed out I was following intently the goings off with the Nottingham based blogger team and it turns out the Maid Marion’s, always up to tackle challenges and destroy it with their team spirits and determination, never faltered. They organised and sorted quickly and were all up to pushing themselves out their comfort zones.
Penny, Lucy, Donna, Hannah and the amazing cyclists Sarah, Jenny & Becki completed the 30 mile cycle on the Tuesday. Not to be beaten the amazing Becky, who even with ill-health completed a 10k bike ride with the help of a ventilator! which was swiftly followed on the Wednesday by the final bunch of amazing ladies; Emily (and her son JD), Louise, Amanda and Jen who finished the Nottingham leg win style on their journey to Derby ….
With Nottingham more than covered I went to the aid of Derby who’s team were dwindling, Penny (who was also down for 30 miles cycling earlier in the week with Nottingham) and put our names down to cover a trek across Derbyshire from Chatsworth House to Rother Valley.
Now having said yes I really don’t think I had thought the logistics of the feat through to the end result … I was super happy to be helping but with a major operation only 19 days after the event and a pelvis of a 90-year-old, I sometimes get carried away with what I think I can achieve…. for goodness sake I have to iron sitting down these days!
So as the day drew closer and the feat itself begin to play on my mind the anxiousness was only ever-increasing and the previous elation was slipping away at a rapid rate of knots. However with the other members of the Derby teams plans falling apart with animal breeding and sickness, there really was no way that we could back out…. it was full steam ahead!
On the morning of the Derby leg of the relay I was feeling sick, anxious and my nerves were far worse than the day I had taken my driving test! however with Nottingham doing so amazingly well we were under pressure!
The weather forecasts had fluctuated so were really were not sure of the conditions we faced either!
We met with Julia who’s plans had gone pear-shaped at the last-minute and who continued to support us regardless, as she had driven the beautiful baton to the stunning Chatsworth House for us to set off on our epic journey.
So with the baton on the move, Penny and I set out with super positive outlook and we were oozing with optimism and some shocking wigs from the guys at Jokers Masquerade as we negotiated some local sheep (I wasn’t sharing my Pepsi Max with anyone) we trudge through mud, soft verges, overtaking nutters and some very large lorries that should have known better and were feeling pretty good about things …. until..
Disaster struck
Around 2 hours after we set off things changed ..
We had taken off with such enthusiasm that we had not really looked properly at the map and in fact we had spent the last 2 hours going round in the most humongous circle. The best we can work it out is, we could have been between 4-6 miles off track .. and with walking at such a super pace I fear it could have been the larger of the 2 figures at least.
At this point the previous elation and positivity faded and had there have been an option to cry quietly in a corner without Penny seeing I have no doubt that’s where I would have been.
So with a tremendous cock-up and time of the essence, we slapped the smiles back on .. took out the Haribo and walked .. and walked … in the right direction.
We experienced every weather condition possible with, sun, wind, rain, snow and hail .. all in the space of an hour but we kept on walking and kept on chewing Haribo.
With rubbish internet signals and my pain hitting a barrier we called in for a super speedy Diet Coke, a wee and a social media update and we were on the move again. Feeling a little more focussed and ready to complete the journey.
With the final push almost enough for me to crumble with pain we got to our destination as darkness descended but nothing could dampen my soaring heart.
The true elation of feeling you have achieved something so out of your comfort zone you were mad to consider it as an option really is the most amazing feeling. When we arrived at the Sitwell Arms we knew we were shattered and hurting but it was the most amazing feeling handing over that baton and knowing we have achieved our leg of the relay.
On the way home I did have a little cry, not at the pain although it was unbearable; but at the sheer emotions. I may be a physical wreck and spend my life in pain but hell, let me tell you .. the pain for the last 4 days has all be very much worth it.
Thank you to all those of you that have already sponsored me with your hard-earned cash it is really appreciated. It’s still not too late for anyone else if you wanted to add to my sponsorship it really would be appreciated.
Photo Credit: Penny Alexander from Parent Shaped thank you for allowing me to use some of your images and also for keeping me going and being so supportive.
What an amazing thing you did! Well done to you both. What a nightmare going the wrong way – that was the main thing I was worried about on my leg. Fabulous photos too.
thanks Sarah, we were so mad with ourselves to start with xx
What a fab post, I feel like I was there with you (haha I bet you want to punch me sitting here from the comfort of my sofa saying that!!) Well done, you did amazingly well and I can’t imagine how much strength it must have takenNOT to sit in the corner and cry when you went weong. WELL DONE! Xxx
thanks honey xxxx
I loved reading and looking at your pictures they were fab bet you had a nice hot bath and a glass of something when you got home your amazing
that was the plan although i was so tired once i got home it was water and hot shower and bed lol x
Well done you! I’d have needed more than Haribo to keep me going. Fantastic achievement and brilliant pics, hope you’re aching a bit less now x
thanks honey, harobo is all that kept me going lol
Go you guys!! You should be super proud x
lol thanks Emma x
Well done, that is a fantastic achievement! Hope you are feeling a little better now.
Love the pics x
thanks Karen, it took about 4 days xx
Well done you! Wish I had been able to take part this year x
next year has your name on it!
Wow how fab, such an achievement x despite the aches you must be ever so proud x
thanks so much honey x
Well done! You were fabulous x
thanks honey x
Such a great post Jaime and wonderful photos too. A fantastic achievement too – you must be thrilled you did it 🙂
thanks so much Charly xx
Sounds very eventful, but worth every second. Well done you 🙂 Fab photos too xx
lol thanks honey x
Well done!
thanks Alison x
WEll done you!! What an epic epic journey – I know from driving it regularly that its a pretty long trek!!! I half looked out for you but unfortunately was on route to work meetings. Bah!! I love you title – so apt 🙂
gutted we could of done with a honk! 😉 xx
You should all be so proud of yourselves, amazing achievements x
thanks so much honey x
Big well done to you, you should be very proud x
awww thanks honey x
I followed a little of your journey on Twitter but had no idea that you’d gone off course by quite so much. Fantastic achievement to not give up and keep going. You’ll be able to remind yourself of this now and feel so proud. Brilliant 🙂
awww thanks honey it was something i will dearly treasure forever .. now the blisters and aches have finally gone!
That’s fantastic! Way to go Jaime, you should be so proud. The pictures look lovely and looks like fun was had by all! Its a great achievement. Hope you aren’t sore for long. 🙂
thanks so much Jenny
Amazing achievement Jaime! It wouldn’t have made such a good story without the massive map SNAFU! Shame it had to add to your pain though. I’m kind of wishing I’d been more aware of all this when the baton was travelling through my neck of the woods, it looks like fun!
thanks Sam, it was amazing!
Wow, go ladies! Such an amazing achievement! You should be super proud of yourself.
thanks Laura i still cant believe we did it x
Congratulations on achieving this feat, despite all the hurdles!
thanks honey xxxxx
Well done Jaime, you are amazing!
awww thank you honey xx
Truly inspiring, Jaime… Hug congrats to you both. xx
awww thanks my lovely x
Both inspirational ladies and Jaime, I know you are going through so much pain at the moment and for that that I am in awe of your determination. Well done xxx
awww thank you so much Ellie xxxxxxx
I cannot say often enough just how amazing you 2 did. In fact everyone involved has been an inspiration xx
awww honey your so so kind to me! xx
Lucas says – Fair play Mrs Oliver. I think you are awesome, especially as you ate Haribo. They really have superpowers don’t they? xx
Grace says – Well Done Mrs Oliver – we think you are AWESOME!!!! xx
#minicreations
thank you guys 🙂
Well Done sweetie – fab job and loving the photos. I can’t imagine how emotional you must have felt afterwards but you looked fab after it (I reckon so anyway). Awesome post #magicmoments
Well done for taking part! Looks like you had a blast even with the big detour!
thanks so much honey it was super x
Fantastic achievement. Fantastic cause. Fantastic location (I love Chatsworth). You can be very proud of yourselves! Fantastic!
awww thanks Rosie xx
How amazing! Such a great achievement and feel good experience! As soon as this bumps out I’ll be looking to get more active and do something for charity 🙂
#magicmoments
awww thanks jessica, its been an amazing thing to do x
Very inspiring, well done.. xx
thanks Tanya x
That is a fantastic achievement! Well done to both of you, you must be so proud of yourselves! 🙂
thanks so much Emma, i still cant quite believe we did it!
A fantastic achievement – really well done! You should be really proud of yourself 🙂
I still cant believe we did it if i am honest .. although a week after and i still am a little achy in places!
thanks so much Sarah and thanks for your sponsorship it was really appreciated x
Amazing ladies, you really pulled it out of the bag – and did extra! Must bring it all back watching it tonight. Something to be proud of, and remember for a long time x
awww thank you Steph, its made me cry reading and living it again in my head today it will always be one very epic adventure! x
Oh my gosh I can’t believe you did that distance with your pelvis so painful – and yet you really were smiling throughout! Well done hon, you’re a star 🙂
awww thank you so much lovely it hurt me badly for weeks but it was well worth it