The one thing you always look forward to on finishing a challenge is going home, its the best place to gather your thoughts and get back into a normal routine. Although I am a bit nervous about this trip as I have been up all night with sickness and dioreea not pleasant at all, the last meal we had at the farewell party was a curry at an irish bar, and that just tipped my body over the edge even more.
One thing i have learnt over these 99 days is that you have to give a little respect to each one of the challenges you are doing and with the right preparation and mental attitude anything is achievable. Yes your body is telling you its had enough but its the mental toughness that see's you through.
It has also taught me that life doesn't have to be this way and by that I mean the ease in which we all get stuck in our daily routines and if we all just stepped back and took a few minutes we could enrich our lives so much more by just doing something different every now and again.
Looking forward to coming home.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Monday 8 November 2010
The Day After
Having slept reasonably well last night, my legs feel like they are not part of me its weird as I felt nothing like this on the mountains even after the Month Blanc descent once I'd spent the night in the oxygen chamber I felt fine, this time I suspect my legs will take a lot of time to recover.
So my 99 days of physical exursion are over and on many occasions I had felt like quitting particularly on Mont Blanc and the NY Marathon. When I look back though it wasn't just the 99 days it was the training we had to put in to stand a chance of pulling this challenge off, this started way back in March of this year and then really intensified in June the Month before our first departure, most of this training was enjoyable the only part I can truly say I Didn,t enjoy was October when the marathon training really kicked in, but I am glad I did it as without it I would have never have finished in under 5 hours. I am also aware of the personal sacrifice you have to dedicate to make such challenges achievable I am eternally grateful for my family's support during this past year, I know they are proud, and my dad well I miss him dearly but truly believe that when I needed him during some dark times he was watching over me.
A good friend sent me a congratulatory text simply stating I had achieved more this year than most people attempt in a lifetime. I guess I can relate to that in as much as in today modern world its very easy to settle back and fall into routine and forget about the things you could be doing to enrich your life.
For me now well rest is the order of the day, my body is well and truly Knackered at the moment and suspect it will take some time to recover.
Oh and one last point April, Simon and myself managed to get our names in the New York Times all finishes under 5 hours did. I finished in 30250th place out of 45000 but for me it wasn't a race for places just a race to finish.
So my 99 days of physical exursion are over and on many occasions I had felt like quitting particularly on Mont Blanc and the NY Marathon. When I look back though it wasn't just the 99 days it was the training we had to put in to stand a chance of pulling this challenge off, this started way back in March of this year and then really intensified in June the Month before our first departure, most of this training was enjoyable the only part I can truly say I Didn,t enjoy was October when the marathon training really kicked in, but I am glad I did it as without it I would have never have finished in under 5 hours. I am also aware of the personal sacrifice you have to dedicate to make such challenges achievable I am eternally grateful for my family's support during this past year, I know they are proud, and my dad well I miss him dearly but truly believe that when I needed him during some dark times he was watching over me.
A good friend sent me a congratulatory text simply stating I had achieved more this year than most people attempt in a lifetime. I guess I can relate to that in as much as in today modern world its very easy to settle back and fall into routine and forget about the things you could be doing to enrich your life.
For me now well rest is the order of the day, my body is well and truly Knackered at the moment and suspect it will take some time to recover.
Oh and one last point April, Simon and myself managed to get our names in the New York Times all finishes under 5 hours did. I finished in 30250th place out of 45000 but for me it wasn't a race for places just a race to finish.
Finished
For me the time wasn't important well as long as it was sub 5 hours that's all that matters and that was going to be a challenge with my torn hamstring, the guy from the New York Fire Department advised me it was possible I just needed to take small strides so that's what I did.
I managed to keep up with Simon and April to mile 8 but after that my leg was hurting so I dropped the pace. I also made a mistake with my gel packs in that I hadn't run on them previously, they ended up giving me stomach cramps which was very unpleasant.
At mile 12 I just wanted to pack in everything hurt and it was at this stage I started to worry I couldn,t complete this challenge, especially knowing I had more than half the race to do.
Still I kept plugging away and when I hit mile 18 I started believing again and as I said its the crowd that brings you home. I thought it was going to be lonely crossing the line on my own but everyone was congratulating each other afterall we had all gone through the same torture.
So 3 the challenges in 99 days are now complete what next, nothing is the answer my body is Knackered and I intend to spend quality time with my family.
Sunday 7 November 2010
Marathon Day
Sunday 7th November 2010
Well the final day of the challenges is upon us and surprisingly this is the challenge I fear the most. Rachel thinks its just a run in the park if only it were that easy.
I slept reasonably well until 1.30am and we got an extra hour as the clocks went back but then it was dozing until 5 I must have peed 6 times my nerves are running away with me on this, I think this will be a lonely run.
Although everything you here about the crowds cheering you on should help. This is a typical example on how the usa works apparently their are sections on the run where the crowds are thin through the commercial districts so to combat this the marathon organisers get sponsored cheerleader to cheer people along, its not cricket but typically american.
I am now sitting on the new york fire department bus waiting to be transported to staten island.
I hope lady luck is with me today and my hamstring holds together, if not its going to be a long and painful day.
Both Simon and April seem very confident I hope I don't let the team down.
Its now 7am so been up for 2 hours already with another 3 hours 40mins to go to our official start time, its cold around 5 degrees currently but should walk up by midday.
I can now do no more other than control the nerves and be sensible, and maybe have a little prayer and ask for a little help from dad.
My plan is to think about Ethan he is doing his first tkd tournament and I can't imagine how he's feeling' especially with me not being their, good luck son I'm thinking of you.
Well the final day of the challenges is upon us and surprisingly this is the challenge I fear the most. Rachel thinks its just a run in the park if only it were that easy.
I slept reasonably well until 1.30am and we got an extra hour as the clocks went back but then it was dozing until 5 I must have peed 6 times my nerves are running away with me on this, I think this will be a lonely run.
Although everything you here about the crowds cheering you on should help. This is a typical example on how the usa works apparently their are sections on the run where the crowds are thin through the commercial districts so to combat this the marathon organisers get sponsored cheerleader to cheer people along, its not cricket but typically american.
I am now sitting on the new york fire department bus waiting to be transported to staten island.
I hope lady luck is with me today and my hamstring holds together, if not its going to be a long and painful day.
Both Simon and April seem very confident I hope I don't let the team down.
Its now 7am so been up for 2 hours already with another 3 hours 40mins to go to our official start time, its cold around 5 degrees currently but should walk up by midday.
I can now do no more other than control the nerves and be sensible, and maybe have a little prayer and ask for a little help from dad.
My plan is to think about Ethan he is doing his first tkd tournament and I can't imagine how he's feeling' especially with me not being their, good luck son I'm thinking of you.
Saturday 6 November 2010
Registered
We walked across to the Ing NY running expo to get our official running numbers and microchip.
The expo was fairly busy and the reality is this is going to happen tomorrow morning my time about 3'40pm uk time.
Registered
We walked across to the Ing NY running expo to get our official running numbers and microchip.
The expo was fairly busy and the reality is this is going to happen tomorrow morning my time about 3'40pm uk time.
Saturday Morning
Last night about 14 of the party went to Tony's pasta bar its was interesting to meet new people and the reasons for them undertaking the forthcoming torture. I was also pleased in a way to hear that I wasn't the only one attempting to run with an injury, quite a lot of the group have the same aspirations on time around 4.5 hours so a lot of us could all be running together. Well as long as my leg holds up.
Then theirs the die hard runners, one of the guys ran in fall BA gear last year and posted a time of 4.5 hours an amazing achievement, it really puts it into perspective as to where we are with our training.
One thing is for sure these guys can drink, beer, wine, more beer and more wine, I guess the champagne will be popped after the race, however at 4am uk time it was time for the lightweight to call it a day, not hot toddy nightcaps for me as the hotel is very basic, slightly worrying that the door on my room still shows the scars of being kicked in previously.
I managed to get around 6 hours sleep last night, and finally stirred myself into action just after 7 so that I can continue my ritual routine morning and night of stretching out my hamstring it seems to be getting easier until I run on it. Today I have to register at the expo and then try and relax, I have not done the training run that was available this morning as I don't want to push my leg to much.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is about 45degrees with bright sunshine so cold but bright.
I have decided to run in my leggings as it will keep my hamstring supported and protect me from the cold.
I feel very nervous at this moment in time I have never been very good at waiting really just want to get into it.
Then theirs the die hard runners, one of the guys ran in fall BA gear last year and posted a time of 4.5 hours an amazing achievement, it really puts it into perspective as to where we are with our training.
One thing is for sure these guys can drink, beer, wine, more beer and more wine, I guess the champagne will be popped after the race, however at 4am uk time it was time for the lightweight to call it a day, not hot toddy nightcaps for me as the hotel is very basic, slightly worrying that the door on my room still shows the scars of being kicked in previously.
I managed to get around 6 hours sleep last night, and finally stirred myself into action just after 7 so that I can continue my ritual routine morning and night of stretching out my hamstring it seems to be getting easier until I run on it. Today I have to register at the expo and then try and relax, I have not done the training run that was available this morning as I don't want to push my leg to much.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is about 45degrees with bright sunshine so cold but bright.
I have decided to run in my leggings as it will keep my hamstring supported and protect me from the cold.
I feel very nervous at this moment in time I have never been very good at waiting really just want to get into it.
Friday 5 November 2010
Arrived in New York
Friday 5th November 2010
We have just arrived in New York and are now aboard the bus on our way into the city, t was a fairly rough trip across the pond this time.
I passed the time watching 2 films and reading Sir Ranulf Fiennes Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know, a very interesting chapter just before i landed, its the bit where he has just suffered a massive heart attack which happens to around 100,000 people in Britain each year and he was on a plane and was defibilrated in time most die through one not being around, sounds very much like my fathers circumstances only he wasn't so lucky.
Anyway he had planned to do 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents and amazingy even though he had bypass surgery RF true to his word completed this amazing feat 4 months after his heart attack, this pretty much made my mind up i will run on sunday and i will finish the time is no longer important but completing the 3rd of these challenges at the end of the 99 days from hell certainly is.
Sent from my HTC
We have just arrived in New York and are now aboard the bus on our way into the city, t was a fairly rough trip across the pond this time.
I passed the time watching 2 films and reading Sir Ranulf Fiennes Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know, a very interesting chapter just before i landed, its the bit where he has just suffered a massive heart attack which happens to around 100,000 people in Britain each year and he was on a plane and was defibilrated in time most die through one not being around, sounds very much like my fathers circumstances only he wasn't so lucky.
Anyway he had planned to do 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents and amazingy even though he had bypass surgery RF true to his word completed this amazing feat 4 months after his heart attack, this pretty much made my mind up i will run on sunday and i will finish the time is no longer important but completing the 3rd of these challenges at the end of the 99 days from hell certainly is.
Sent from my HTC
Thursday 4 November 2010
Eve of Departure
Thursday 4th Novembe 2010
I have religiously followed the excercise regime given to me by the physio, and i can feel the difference in my hamstring however having spent 15 years playing football i am only to aware that i need at least another 3 weeks.
Tonight was decision time go out for a run and see how the leg holds up, the answer not the one i wanted each stride was painful like a knife being driven into the back of my leg every single time, i managed 2.5 miles before the pain became to much. I was also knackered can you really loose this much fitness in 5 days, or is it just the reality of the situation.
I walk back to the house and Rchel doesn't even have to ask she can see by the look on my face and the tears that i am trying to hide rolling down my cheek. In all this frustration Ethan just came over to me and gave me a big hug, no words just a hug it was perfect.
So have i packed yes, why when the reality is i stand no chance of finishing the marathon and if i do the time will be nothing to write home about and will be more than likely over the 5 hours allotted time. Well i can't explain i guess its me the way i am thats what got me to the top of Mont Blanc and i am praying its what will get me across the finish line, i have put in to much effort and made to many sacrifices to give up now.
Crazy yes stupid maybe but if i don't i will always wonder could i have.
Sent from my HTC
I have religiously followed the excercise regime given to me by the physio, and i can feel the difference in my hamstring however having spent 15 years playing football i am only to aware that i need at least another 3 weeks.
Tonight was decision time go out for a run and see how the leg holds up, the answer not the one i wanted each stride was painful like a knife being driven into the back of my leg every single time, i managed 2.5 miles before the pain became to much. I was also knackered can you really loose this much fitness in 5 days, or is it just the reality of the situation.
I walk back to the house and Rchel doesn't even have to ask she can see by the look on my face and the tears that i am trying to hide rolling down my cheek. In all this frustration Ethan just came over to me and gave me a big hug, no words just a hug it was perfect.
So have i packed yes, why when the reality is i stand no chance of finishing the marathon and if i do the time will be nothing to write home about and will be more than likely over the 5 hours allotted time. Well i can't explain i guess its me the way i am thats what got me to the top of Mont Blanc and i am praying its what will get me across the finish line, i have put in to much effort and made to many sacrifices to give up now.
Crazy yes stupid maybe but if i don't i will always wonder could i have.
Sent from my HTC
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Physiotherapy
Tuesday 2nd November 2010
Tonight was a crucial point for me, as i have just returned from the Physio and the news is indifferent really, the formal diagnosis is a grade 1 internal tear of the hamstring can it be fixed yes, can it be fixed in time for the marathon on sunday in all reality no, several weeks are needed.
However the physio and i agreed to remain positive and give it the best shot we had so after a fairly intense 45 minute session i have come home feeling positive. I have a series of excercises to do twice a day and then the real test comes on Thursday when i next attempt to run on it. The physio says if it breaks down then there is no chance of running the marathon, his concern is that this is my bodies way of saying its had enough, and fears that i could do more damage if i run through it.
In all honestly this has played havoc with my mental state of mind it was only a week ago Simon and i were joking about how would it feel if we picked up an injury that may force us out, well i know now and gutted is the answer not just for me but for everything my family has been through with me along this journey.
What is for certain is any ambition for a sub 4 hour time is gone as the advice from the physio is if i attempt to run the marathon run at a slower pace than planned as over stretching will certainly result in it breaking down to the point of not being able to finish the challenge.
I need alot of luck and positive thinking to make sure i get to the start line on Sunday otherwise it will personally for me be a very sad end to an overwhelming year of amazing achievments
Sent from my HTC
Tonight was a crucial point for me, as i have just returned from the Physio and the news is indifferent really, the formal diagnosis is a grade 1 internal tear of the hamstring can it be fixed yes, can it be fixed in time for the marathon on sunday in all reality no, several weeks are needed.
However the physio and i agreed to remain positive and give it the best shot we had so after a fairly intense 45 minute session i have come home feeling positive. I have a series of excercises to do twice a day and then the real test comes on Thursday when i next attempt to run on it. The physio says if it breaks down then there is no chance of running the marathon, his concern is that this is my bodies way of saying its had enough, and fears that i could do more damage if i run through it.
In all honestly this has played havoc with my mental state of mind it was only a week ago Simon and i were joking about how would it feel if we picked up an injury that may force us out, well i know now and gutted is the answer not just for me but for everything my family has been through with me along this journey.
What is for certain is any ambition for a sub 4 hour time is gone as the advice from the physio is if i attempt to run the marathon run at a slower pace than planned as over stretching will certainly result in it breaking down to the point of not being able to finish the challenge.
I need alot of luck and positive thinking to make sure i get to the start line on Sunday otherwise it will personally for me be a very sad end to an overwhelming year of amazing achievments
Sent from my HTC
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