Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

(If you are returning for a training update please scroll to bottom of this section)

11/11/09 - ONLY 4 MORE DAYS BEFORE I GO !  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MY PROGRESS I WILL BE ASKING JANET TO ADD UPDATES FROM MY TEXT MESSAGES HERE......

16-Nov - Cameron arrived in Kathmandu, lot of poverty and smog , not had much sleep

 Wed 18- Nov 10k Fun Run in fancy dress.  Cameron's time 1 hour knee not great.

Thurs 19 Nov heading for flight to Lukla he can't wait to get into the mountains

- Amazing flight survived the controlled crash landing , at 2900m now.  Ready to start trekking tomorrow.

20 - Nov  Arived in Namche Bazaar. About a 3 hour very steep approach.  Now at 3400M . Sunny with chill, staying in a nice lodge. No hardship here.  Feeling good.

21- Nov Been to 3880M got first sight of Everest, last night of comfort , reports of -26 higher up , hope sleeping bag does its job, not feeling the altitude yet, legs and tummy OK

22- Nov At camp at Khumjung 3780M , cold and dry

RACE REPORT ON WWW.SLEEPMONSTERS.COM

IF YOU HAVE JUST FOUND MY PAGE THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

At the ripe old age of 54 I've decided to attempt my first full marathon. Being a bear of little brain the one I've entered is the Everest Marathon on 4th December this year. Certainly the highest and probably the toughest, I'll be one of only 75 competitors and will spend 2 weeks trekking to the start line just below base camp at 5200 metres (17,000 ft) and then attempt to "race" 26.2 miles hopefully inside 10 hours. This is mostly undulating downhill (although at altitude the lungs won't realise it) apart from a steep 3 mile climb at just over halfway point !! Joy of joys. 

With temperatures ranging from minus 20 to plus 25 degrees centigrade, likelihood of altitude sickness and stomach problems, not to mention living under canvas, negotiating narrow paths and rickety bridges whilst jostling with Yaks it's  going to be a real adventure.   The statement in the disclaimer "medical attention may not be timely" and the "controlled crash landing" on a mountain airstrip will all add to the fun I will be having !!

WHY?

Good question. !!!

Apart from the life experience and it being a great story to tell people I am raising money for two charities.

Everest Marathon Fund

Nepal is among the 5 poorest countries in the world with 85% mountain terrain and virtually no roads. 49% of people live below the poverty line and the average annual income is only about £125. Many areas lack clean water, elementary education and medical facilities so any amount raised for this charity will make a real difference.

As I will be enjoying the hospitality of Nepal I intend to donate 50% of all monies to the Everest Marathon Fund

CRASH

            Awarding cash grants

            Providing on-site professional expertise

            Supplying free building materials

I will be covering my own costs so all donations will go to these two deserving charities, which is where you can hopefully help by making a donation.

Many thanks for your generous support

Regards

Cameron

PS. Not that I'm competitive but I'm 3rd in the order of merit for most donations, so please help me get to Gold medal position if you can!!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

TRAINING UPDATE

11th Nov update Been resting and spending far too much money on kit! Lightweight layers only seem to come in black and cost a bomb!!  Only a few days left before the flight to Kathmandu via Delhi on Air India. No turning back now!

Sat 31st Oct Ran 22.5 miles Cambridge to Buckden on tracks and ploughed fields in the rain!! Knee giving problems again! Not overly concerned as I don't think I'll be doing as much running on the "big day "

Sat 24th Oct. 15 miles local cross country. Tougher than the Peak District!! Hopes of a 30+ miler next weekend look very doubtful. Plan to rest and see how I feel nearer the time.  

Sat 17th Oct. 16.5 miles hilly circular route Edale - Hayfield - Edale (Derbs). Time 5 hours. Legs good but slight twinges in left knee again. Sat in icy stream for 10 mins at the finish !

Sat 10th Oct. 26 miles mainly uphill (or so it felt !!) Huddersfield Pennines with brother-in-law Paul on mountain bikes

Mon 5th Oct. 4.5 miles tester run - left knee still giving gip !!

Sat/Sun 3rd Oct.  Still a few twinges from the 3 Peaks so an "easy" 96 miles on road pushbike.

Saturday 26th Sept. Completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Pen-y-ghent - Whernside - Ingleborough) 25 miles with 5000 ft ascent/descent. Time 7 hrs 47 mins.  Combination of walking/running/scrambling. Legs and left knee suffering due to steep downhills but good training - although Everest Marathon will be 7 times higher !!    

Sunday 20th Sept ran 17 miles - furthest ever distance in one go. Legs shot for several days !