Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I did it !!!
I completed my first ever marathon on 4th December in 10 hrs 35 minutes and managed not to come last !
I was hoping for around 8 hours but the niggling knee problem never went away so I had to walk the whole 26.2 miles. This was mostly alone and for the first 7 miles I was behind the official course "sweeper" who passed me when I had to leave a deposit behind a large rock. I managed to make the 20 mile cut off point with just 15 minutes to spare and hobbled to the finish using walking poles as crutches. The race was tough but getting to the start line was tougher, suffering from the effects of altitude, sickness and bitterly cold nights (- 20 celcius ). Tougher still was the final 12 mile decent to the airstrip town of Lukla 2 days later which due to "the leg" took over 8 hours!
On return to the UK I discovered why I found some days extra tough, apparently I went out to Nepal with diabetes which advanced during the exertions of the challenge!
Rather than having enjoyed the experience I prefer to say I endured it. I saw some great sights and met some fantastic people.
So thank you for supporting me and giving me a purpose to keep going when things got tough. Your donation will go to help people a lot less fortunate than ourselves.
Will I do it again? Probably not but then Sir Steve Redgrave said after 4 Golds "if ever I get in a boat again, shoot me" He then went on as a fellow diabetic and won a 5th !
I've hidden the gun from my wife.
Best wishes for 2010 and many thanks
Cameron
Diary below
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
28-Nov Just arrived at Sarnasse had no signal till now. Been hell and suffered sickness, much harder than ever expected. In lodge for tonight need food and a good nights sleep and start climb towards Everest tomorrow.
29-Nov Easy ish day today , staying in lodge again tonight which is basically a plywood box room but better than tent. Feeling much better after a decent nights sleep, leg a problem going down hills . Had cake at a monastry for lunch and getting fed up of eggs and boiled spuds. Had to pay £4.80 for 4 snickers bars - How Much!!
1-Dec NEW 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.
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 is the construction industry’s charity and it uses the expertise, products and goodwill of the construction industry to improve hostels, day centres, night shelters and training centres for homeless people throughout the UK. CRASH does this in three ways:
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!!
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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 !
