We started off very quickly and initially made very good time, however; the weather wasn't great (to say the least); conditions underfoot were extremely slippy, muddy and wet; and something happened to my left knee at or around the half way point, slowing the running down to a comedy hobble and making anything other than a mild descent (of which there was plenty) slow and very painful. Not to mention the five and a half hours of darkness were using 'the force' would have been useful!
So if you examine the split times below, you'll notice that the further we went, the slower we got.
The good thing is, when considering the above, it was never about finishing in a specific time; it was about finishing - which we did as a team. There was plenty of pain and discomfort suffered by all and it really was the hardest physical challenge I've ever done! The pain is temporary: blisters, chaffed skin (I'm currently walking like John Wayne!), sprained limbs, bad backs etc but the ability to say 'I did that' will last forever (but i ain't ever doing it again! See bottom picture if you don't believe me).
Thank You's
First and foremost i've got to thank all my sponsors. The total I've raised at the time of writing this is £950 and there are some monies still to collect. Gaz has raised at least £100 so between us we have smashed the £1000 target (I'll update with the final figure once I have it). Many thanks to you all, a very worthy cause and trust me when I say we earnt every penny of it!
Secondly I'd like to thank my running partners in crime. Gaz; Mr. Motivator (the kindest of the names we gave him) kept our spirits up and pushed us on throughout. Frank; The not so sure footed mountian goat, who fell on pretty much every run we went on but manages to bounce quite well. It was a pleasure training and running with you both!
Also Tom Robinson, who accompanied us on many a training run and also helped to raise awareness of our fundraising efforts - thanks!
Thirdly I'd like to thanks Mark, Terry and all the Lakeland 50 support staff who ran a very professional event. Very well organised indeed and I especially liked the finish where a member of the support team leads you in to the main hall and announces your arrival which is met be thunderous applause - brilliant! Thank You
Finally
I thought i'd leave the the final word with Lisa, the funrasing manager at Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, this is the tweet which she sent us on completion of the event:
Lisa Pearson@KershawsHospice
@HISC_Oldham WELL DONE!! What a fantastic achievement! Thank you so much on behalf of all the patients and families. You're a superstar
I hope you've all enjoyed reading the blog.
Cheers
Mick
Lakeland 50 Race Gallery
Gaz is ready... not sure what for though?
Dalemain: last few minutes before the start
Here we go!
Nearly at the top of one of the many big climbs
Mardale Head checkpoint
Me, Gaz and a bandit
Typical ankle twisting descent
No stopping just because it's dark
Langdale checkpoint; comfy be bloody hard to get up from!
It's all over
Never tasted better
Finishers silverware
Just incase you though I was joking when I said never again!
Official timings
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