All home comforts inside Icebird! Rtxx

Hi everyone, had a lovely chat with Rosie last night, she is with Icebird near a canal bank absolutely surrounded by fog.  Travelling have been rather tricky because of the poor visibility in relation to other cars on the road so she is having to travel quite a lot in the early hours.  Yesterday she did 17 km which is very good considering her knee.  She said it's no better but no worse, which is a good sign. 

When Rosie popped back to England last week to get her knee checked out she picked up her favourite petrol stove that has been halfway round the world, which is far better than her previous gas model in the cold weather.  She is mainly living off her special recipe of spaghetti olive oil and various supplements. Here are a couple of recent photos.  All the best James.

Thank you wonderful Saucony!!!En route for Rome Marathon despite knee prob..Could not keep going without my magnificent 2D Saucony Grid Hurricanes.  Please follow link: http://rosies-paris-to-rome-run.blogspot.com/
 Dear Jonathan - please send more shoes SOS to my new address:Rosie Swale Pope, TY Menter, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF 45 4SN.
Love abd gratitude. Rosie

Dear Everybody, This is  23 Feb. DAY 1 back on the road.

The geese, sublime in  perfect V formation look so beautiful and are a symbol:  on their journey too; for although the river is still frozen, this is such a happy time (hey are too, returning to France at the start of the eternal spring migration. How many thousands of years has this been happening? Please let's look after the natural world, so the children 1000 years from now will also be able to see this St Florentin is on the migration course v special.... Monsieur Chevance tells me the geese can travel at 100kms an hour with the wind behind them.  They wheel around until they catch the wind's path. 

  

I'm  so happy and appreciate the treatment for knee - feel full of energy and am determined to be as strong as I can. I couldn't have done it without all the fantastic support from all around the world, and the great kindness right here in St Florentin.

This pic and next  pics show wonderful Monsieur et Madame Chevance and  Monsieur Patrick Pasquier on arrival back at St Florentin and Icebird and me just before I set off today I am so grateful to them and to the magnificent Croix Rouge, The Red Cross for helping me so much especially for looking after Icebird while I was in UK. I left  about 5pm. Did 6.69kms.  (I THOUGHT IT WAS 7 MILES - (V OPTIMISTIC!) .BUT THEN. REMEMBERED THAT MY NEW PEDOMETER IS IN KMS, BUT STILL GOOD START ACHIEVED IN ONLY ABOUT ONE HOUR AND A HALF. IT RE PROGRESS/SCHEDULE - IT ALL WILL DEPEND ON HOW THE KNEE REACTS TOMORROW. Great not to be in crutches. More news tomorrow. Rosie

Hi everyone, had a lovely visit from my mum Rosie for a few days.  We spent a lot of time discussing her plans regarding her run from Paris to Rome and entering the Rome Marathon.  And also getting through a massive task list, I have to say it is very good being around her, because she is what you might call a ' can do person'.  One feels one can do anything after spending time with her.  I did get some extra career and studying advice as well. 

She is back in Paris and her plan is to take it gently, but continue her journey from Paris to Rome with Icebird, while seeing how her knee holds up.  Her main aim is not to get the knee inflamed and she has with her a vast array of anti-inflammatory pills and gels.  She is working within what her specialist said she could do, so she's not doing anything irresponsible. 

She has made some great friends at Unilever, who are offering some great support and logistics.  The company has got some very keen runners, big thank you to all those involved.

Regards James

Dear Everybody,  Thank you so much for your fabulous support:  love, Rosie

Hi everyone, mixed news from the scan.  there are some bone fragments and bits of cartilage floating around the knee, so Rosie will need an operation in the near future .  But in the meantime the specialist said moderate use of the knee will not do me much further harm so Rosie is going back to France to continue her journey from Paris to Rome but going along at a gentle pace.

Rosie is visiting evening for a few days, so there will be more info to come.


Regards James

Dear jimmy, I will know fate tomorrow!!!!! Please thank everybody for their wonderful support. Rosiex

Dear jimmy, have just sent you corrected version.  I am now scheduled to have scan at 8.45am tomorrow. Everything depends on this!!!

Meanwhile, I have been saving for the scan by living ouside..camping as usual.. Shall send you pics... 

Love and thank you Jimmy 4 wonderful help and moral support always.  Rosiexxx

Dear Jim, This is latest from Italy! Determined to use head and heart - and 100 per cent focus, to get back on the run asap. Have to have knee scan today. Then will have clearer picture.
This is NOTHING compared to the frostbite in the winter blizzard of the Yukon during world run - I HAD to get treatment then - but was back on the river before the ice broke with my foot still in bandages, but operational. I made it through AND I SHALL DO SO NOW.

I am being treated by Vale Health, the best sports injury facility in Wales, that looks after elite Olympic athletes...recommended by the wonderful physio Elaine Gillies, who saw me in Perth.
This is situation right now:

Ever since I was generously seen by the French Hospital about a week ago - I have continued w crutches. But though I managed about 14 kms a day it took 9 hours each day to achieve it..
I hoped that if I just kept going, the knee would gradually get better. Instead it got more painful.
So when I was flown to Scotland for the marvellous Event in Perth, I knew I had to get knee checked out - in order to go on.
So it all depends on the scan!
IF THERE ISN'T CARTILAGE TEAR, I can get deep tissue treatment and hope very much to be on the road by end of next week with luck!
IF THERE IS A TEAR, THEN I'LL HAVE TO HAVE KEYHOLE OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

In the former case - I can run on, check in with some of the great people looking out for me en route and then go w Icebird to Rome by truck, and run Rome Marathon. Then continue running to Rome afterwards
IF I have to have surgery, then I must get Icebird to Rome, where I can join her on 15 March, and fine to do marathon itself after resting and getting treated before.
I AM GOING TO FINISH MY RUN FROM PARIS TO ROME - EVEN IF IT ALL HAS TO BE AFTER THE MARATHON - AND THE TITLE OF MY NEW BOOK IS ..
THE LONGEST ROAD TO ROME - ALL ABOUT MY ADVENTURES, INCLUDING COMING BACK FROM THIS INJURY AND NOT EVER GIVING UP -
YOU CANNOT HELP WHAT HAPPENS ..BUT YOU CAN HELP HOW YOU REACT TO IT..
The way to do is IS Unfortunately that I must get the knee treated - BUT I WILL DO IT..in fact I feel 100 times more determined. It is important to do this for the charities, and I amvvvvv sure that I must go on. The great thing about a bit of a struggle, is that it breeds focus and clarity - and the struggle itself gives the mind extra strength.
I am so sorry that this has happened, after all your kind plans - but I will continue and let you all know later today or Monday, what is result of scan!! PLEASE KEEP ON FOLLOWING ME ON BLOG LINK:http://rosies-paris-to-rome-run.blogspot.com/
I am grateful to everybody for your fabulous support.
Love and best wishes, Rosie

Dear Sophie, Sarah, Maite and all my friends in France, Italy and UK,

Thank you all so much for great kindness and concern.

I am talking at the RSGS Event in Scotland today and shall also be receiving the Honorary Fellowship -just  like Scott and Shackleton and other fabulous explorers compared to whom I am nothing..so it is a VERY, very great, great honour!!!

Also I am taking the opportunity of being here  to get my knee scanned.

It still hurts to walk, but I am nearly off the crutches.  I have spoken to my sports physio down in Bristol and he thinks it is either

1. Muscle problem which can quickly respond to expert deep tissue massage

2 the other more serious possibility is cartilage - but probably the hospital in Fontinbleau wd have found it even though I was only seen by URGENCES (who were very good and kind)

The answer is to TRY to get to Sports injury Clinic tomorrow am. THEN I will know my calendar!

I hope to flt back to France tomorrow pm all being well - and continue slowly w Icebird

Thus;

Giving the life lessons on NOT to give up

Also making all the rest of my body stronger while the knee heals, going slowly and not losing fitness!!

I STRONGLY FEEL IN MYSELF THAT THE I JURY CAN BE OVERCOME.

IF I need more treatment here in UK, CD STAY A FEW MORE DAYS, OR GET TREATMENT IN FRANCE

Icebird is waiting for me at St Fontainen - courtesy of the Mayor, the Red Cross - and other very good people there!

 I hope to continue slowly...  Then when time is right take Icebird to Rome run Marathon - then continue run to Rome after Marathon itself.

So I am sorry I cannot today easily I've times when I shall be somewhere as dear Alessio wishes - but I WILL make it through - also can't wait to see u all in Dijon...

That things do go wrong IS the common ingredient of all high aims and big challenges and goal.  The solution is to KEEP FOCUS AND keep going..and at the same time cure the practical problem!!!

I always say that reaching for your dreams means digging deep, and giving what you care about ALL your strength; always.  I have especially appreciate the kind emails from Paul Polman and from Bruno of Unilever France - this has meant so very much to me.

Love and best wishes to you all,

Rosie

 

Wonderful cybercafé at Gare du Lyon manager Mayess has fixed up Yahoo and Mozilla on my french system AND found me SIM card that is much cheaper -...so can call you more easily - communication is a joy..  Still snowing... Tucked into my  PHD Mustagh jacket  a Great friend from all round the world - it- feels so cozy. And it  is. Definitely VERY best Paris wear/fashion.. Also off painkillers and trying leg out.  Love. Rosie

Dear Everybody,, Hope you are well. I am in the middle of many new adventures - please look at my new Blog organised by my  son James Swale. Many of you already know him famously through his great work with the rosiearoundtheworld website - even keeping in touch somehow when I was in Siberia. That was a hard school and I looked on my present 1,000 run  as just a holiday, but though fun, it is being quite challenging.   

I am proud to have made 1st Checkpoint st Florentin about 150km south of Paris, The left knee is still hurting badly, but I hope to get it scanned over next few days.  I am DETERMINED not to give up because of the injury - you don't give up in a war just because u r in a bit of pain!!!  Love, RosieX. Blog link: http://rosies-paris-to-rome-run.blogspot.com/

Dear Jimmy, Here is pic taken today on arrival at St Florentin. More later.  Thank you for great support. Love, Rosie and Icebirdxxx

I was amused to find my hair frozen to my pillow last night!    I am about 120 miles south of Paris 10 north of a little town called St Florentin - as I'm running from Paris to Rome for cancer charities and do the Rome marathon with it..
 It's only -12, though cold for France.  
  The only problem really is lack of communication - so THANK YOU Yet again so vvvv much my son James Swale for blog and to Paul Bass - James says he will liaise with Paul to get some news up. I am very very grateful. And v appreciate of loving wishes from Eve and family and from Nancy, Patty and Diana in USA, and all my friends everywhere.
   Big problem is my injured knee, It won't go away!!!!!! All I know is that when the chips are down there can be no giving up EVER. It is the only lesson that matters in a battle! Even though this run was meant to be easy and has ended up quite hard, I have been there before and WILL OVERCOME THIS!!!!!!!!! After good treatment in hosp, I am continuing slowly   Many thanks for all the great support
  I SHALL be back in Uk soon, but just for a couple of days for my talkon 7 Feb at the  RSGS h/q in Perth. The RSGS are most WONDERFULLY flying me back from France and also are  going to present me with a Royal Scottish Geographical Society Honorary Fellowship with is a fantastic honour.
   Must get going EVERY MILE COUNTS.  I am being sponsored per mile for charity.  

  THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYBODY.

Rosie. 3 Feb 2012 14kms north of St Florentin en route for Dijon/Lausanne/Turin/Rome!!!!!ALL roads lead to............!!!!xxx
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