Dear supporters,

It’s done!!!

I have completed the 100km Nightride and I have a lovely ribbon on a medal.

I wanted to thank you all so much for your vital support. I’m grateful for you for the fundraising but more especially for the support along the way – before I even signed up, throughout the training and throughout the night. All the way through the ride it was you lot that made me raise my spirits and keep going so thank you from the deepest!

I would love to tell you about the great atmosphere and exhilarating feelings of euphoria but it wasn’t at all like that. It was grim. I am of course delighted to have done it – the personal achievement is so far removed from what I thought I could do, in fact I don’t really think I was ready for it and I expect it’ll be the last time I do anything so physically ambitious. My lungs felt back to normal again within minutes; my feet, bum, arms and wrists hurt the whole of Sunday and my knees and lower back are still killing me today. I fought my eyes to stay open until 9ish on Sunday, when they opened at 7AM this morning they felt quite normal too. I expect my knees will be fine too in a day or so.

I’m also overjoyed to have been able to fundraise over £1,400 – thank you to you all for your generosity – it will help the causes greatly and was also a perfect motivator for me. I don’t intend to do anything so crazy again so don’t worry about me making a habit of rattling a tin at your door but if there is a more sociable and cheerful event happening I may be tempted – I am still working at restoring my fitness.

If you haven’t sponsored me and would like to it’s not too late – the justgiving pages are still live for quite a few more weeks and I’ll send off any cash contributions at the end of July.

Love from ‘NightriderCaff’

PS have a look at http://www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk/page.cfm/patient-s-stories and ... http://www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk/page.cfm/blog the blog entitled “Cathy is Riding for HIOWAA” includes a picture of baby Bella visiting me in hospital!