Louise, last woman standing

Last one standing.... sort of

By Louise

Lydia and Louise just before
injury put Lydia out for the
rest of the challenge

On day 75 my last remaining team mate Lydia was injured and struck with what my boyfriend now refers to as ‘the curse of the 100 runs’. (Don't worry, he was punished for such comments by being signed up to several runs against his will - keep reading for photographic evidence.)

She injured herself during a group training session and was out for the rest of the challenge.

At first I was heartbroken, Lydia is genuinely the most positive person I have ever met and her willingness to sign up to anything and everything is the basis of our friendship (because saying wine is the basis of our friendship makes us sound like alcoholics). 

Obviously I couldn’t complain, she was in pain and limping and eating chocolate animals. I didn’t really know what to do, but she is a trooper and I knew that I had to finish this challenge - for her as well as the good cause we are raising money for, Forward.

Down, but not out, I needed some friends come out running with me. I found great company in a variety of places.

Roping my buddies in

Morning run with Dai before his
marathon in Muscat.

Lydia’s sub runner Dai came out for a run one morning with me. I bossed him about, demanded he attempt a jumping picture and screamed at a cyclist for jumping a red light….. I think he is still talking to me!

Wendy on the tracks

My friend Wendy came with me. Wendy and I are friends largely because we know too much about each other not to be. After a 10 km run that was originally supposed to be 7km, through the grottier parts of S(h)ittingbourne, that took us through 6 inch deep mud and over barb wire fences, I think she's weighing up how bad it would be if we did fall out and I spilled her secrets. She is just about still talking to me!

Not to mention Carla. Carla works with us and finally agreed to come out for a run with me at lunchtime. We've done bridges, tunnels and spotted squirrels. She's subbing for Lydia for the final run, and hopefully we'll still be on talking terms.

Other run-streakers

Magical unicorn Carla

If you don’t know about Run Through then let me tell you, they are awesome. It's an organisation led by two former England international runners, and they put on 5km, 10km and half marathon races throughout the year. You'll remember the post about Chase the Moon a while back. Races are really well organised, they have the best marshals, awesome medals and the best flap jacks you will ever taste. 

They have also created a great community on Facebook. So many 'Run Through-ers' have done RED (Run Every Day) this January, and watching them battle elements and soldier through has been really inspiring. Particular shout out to The Snarky Runner there.

Not only that but the group contains a fellow 100 day run streaker, Michael, who is just three days behind us. He's been doing it alone from the start, what a legend! One day we will meet and I will try not to scare him as well!

The finish is in sight

So despite being the last woman standing I have been far from alone in the last 25 runs of this challenge. I miss Lydia but she is always there in spirit and has supported in person too, she brings wine, she is the best supporter ever!

Roll on the final run. The 10km Winter Run, which will be run 101 in the streak thanks to Lydia's poor calculations! If you want to know more about how that one came about, see me after the run, I'll be the one with the pint of Shiraz.

Louise and boyfriend Edd at Crystal Palace Run Through.

To donate to FORWARD, please visit our Justgiving page here. 

Keep track of our progress across social media with #100daysofrunningforward