My name is Stephen 'Spike' Calvert...

During a recent tour in Iraq I maintained my fitness through running, mainly on a treadmill. During one of these sessions I decided that I could do more than just plod along aimlessly and wanted to put the mileage to good use. So on the 1st Jan 2009 I ran 40 miles on a treadmill to see if I could (accompanied on another machine by friends throughout the day). On that day I decided having lost colleagues and friends and seen numerous servicemen and women killed and injured in Iraq and Afghanistan I wanted to put something back.

I have seen the bravery first hand of the unseen injured personnel and the superb team who strive to help with their rehabilitation and realised just how lucky we are, therefore from the 25 Aug 2009 I am running eight (8) marathons in eight (8) days in aid of Help for Heroes. I hope, with your help, to raise at least £5,000. I will run from a Unit Memorial at Chicksands in Bedfordshire to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire onto Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and finally return to Chicksands on 1 Sep 2009. The route I have chosen covers 209 miles or eight marathons. I will not break any world records as I am (well) over 40 BUT I want to make this the first in a list of events in aid of a great charity and cause.

I am running as an individual but with the medical support of a friend and colleague John Priestley (who ran the last 17 miles of my New Years Day 40 mile thing as moral support) and his physio wife Nicky.

Thankyou in anticipation

Spike Calvert

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. AND DON'T FORGET THE GIFT AID...It's free

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now and pass on to friends and family...thanks.

Update One 27 Jul 09

Training is going well...and the sponsorship is coming in nicely....many thanks to all who have sponsored so far...very humbling to see...so thankyou. A number of friends have asked about donating cash or cheques which I can still put on the website as donations in your name, so don't be shy..dig deep and get in touch. Counting down the days now...can't wait to get started although I have a week in North Wales training to come yet as part of a holiday...just before I go...more updates to follow....all the best.

Spike

Update Two 3 Aug 09

Training still coming along....and even more sponsorship coming in, so thankyou very much for an absolutely great response. The most important aspect to this update is that I am changing the start date by one day to make sure that there is someone there to meet me when I finish as the original date fell on a Bank Holiday (31 Aug 09) doh!...obviously missed that one. Anyway, other than the date change, everything else remains the same. If anyone would like to join me for a spell on the road they are more than welcome but will need to make their own way to checkpoints so get in touch. Keep the sponsorship coming and thanks again.

Spike

Update Three 8 Aug 09

The training is still on track and losing a bit of weight has helped a bit too. A couple of niggling injuries seem to have settled down and I did a recce of the route today.....and I can't wait (probably regret saying that in three weeks). Anyway, more sponsorship is coming in and a special thanks to Matt L for badgering people from near and far to give generously, noteably some Senior Service sponsorship and friends from around the world....cheers Matt. Right, better get on....loads to do...and I need to e mail the updates to all and sundry...Cheers

Spike

Update Four 11 Aug 09

Well as the saying goes 'it seems to be growing arms and legs' which is fantastic as people pass on the details to their friends and families...so thank you all for that. Great to hear from people I haven't heard from in years. The training is good and working up to the whole distance before taking a rest from training whilst holidaying in North Wales (slow hill trekking) next week with family. I still have loads to do including getting my Open University assignment done before I go. Right, better get on with it, many thanks again and if anyone can help please dig deep, every little helps.

Spike

Update Five 22 Aug 09

Just back from a break in North Wales, using the mountain tracks and some of the roads to get final prep for the challenge (also took the time to recce the route). The whole thing has come around so fast and thankfully, apart from a few niggles (and a small hotspot which keeps cropping up) I think I am ready...better be I suppose based on the fantastic level of support from everyone. Final bits and bobs to do...and then for the off.  So once again thank you all for the sponsorship and the good wishes and some of the banter too. The total is coming on slowly...and I have been sent pledges by friends and family and strangers who will put online over the next week or so, which should get me to my goal before I finish....but keep sponsoring and adding to the total...which  can be done at any time for up to three months after I complete. Many thanks to work mates too for the support...absolutely brilliant...especially Pete Reynolds and the team and Richie E too. From today I will be adding a daily update with some more requests....and if anyone wants to suggest any music I will be more than happy to use on my Ip(l)od....right...here goes...

Spike

Update Six 24 Aug 09

One day to go and the last minute prep goes on...still feeling good and injuries (touch wood) are staying away. I needed some help with my support team after the change of the original date (today....gulp) and Jez, Big Chris and my Boss have all stepped in at the last minute...which is great and means I can continue as planned. The weather is looking okay, although come rain or shine I will run, so hopefully a good nights sleep...breakfast and away. As for the sponsorship, it's getting there and I have been promised more from people at work which is superb. Keep passing on the website and hopefully I can reach my goal...and some whilst I am running....and the updates will be every night...whatever my condition. A big thanks to Si A as well for the loan of a GPS watch to map my progress. Thanks again...take it easy.

Spike 

Update Seven 25 Aug 09....D Day, Zero Hour...whatever (here goes)

First thing done...measure BMI and weight at start point (not for publishing yet or Reg - PTI will have a fit) but let's just say I could do with losing a few pounds. Anyway, that bright idea was the Boss's so for the sake of STATs it is saved for publishing at the end. Already had the 'Run Fatboy Run' quotes in texts this morning and a few song suggestions that are close to the knuckle but brilliant. Right, more spares (of everything) than you can shake a stick at and Garmin set to go, maps already sorted and Mike P stepping in as med cover too. Orange Al is doing his David Bailey impression and that's that...either way, no going back now. Anti chafing cream applied, more hydration and energy potions than I probably need in a bag and donations raising by the hour. All I can say now is thankyou to everyone for supporting me but more importantly for supporting Help for Heroes. Keep donating and encourage others to do the same...thanks again...and daily updates from here on in...Cheers.

Spike

Update Eight 25 Aug 09 1647hrs

Well one down and seven to go....feeling okay apart from the embarrassment of the send off from work with everyone clapping...but I hope that the same is true at the finish....anyway, what a day....warm to begin with...then cooled off which was a blessing followed by pouring rain to finish. The run itself was pretty uneventful other than twisting my ankle right outside work (start line). Plenty of supporters on the way and a few honking horns too with thumbs up for Help for Heroes...great encouragement from all, as well as some sponsorship from well wishers. The total is steadily rising which is brilliant and the bucket got some support at work today. Thanks to Mike for covering the med support and fuel stops and a big hand for Si A who happened to catch me at about 15 miles and toot me into a morale boost. My MP3 kept me going and some wonderful music to inspire...The main thing is that I am on my way...and all being well, hopefully get better as time goes on...despite feeling a little stiff at the moment...although the ice cold bath and hot one after seems to be working a treat. Thanks also to Wendy at High Five who got my 'fuel' supplements to me today which is superb. Anyway, better get some rest and check on tomorrows route...All the best and please  keep the sponsorship coming in...every little helps.

Spike

Update Nine 26 Aug 09 1755hrs

Two down and six to go....say it quick enough and it seems impressive...anyway, what a day...Big Chris and the Boss came with me to support and harrass...and the Boss ran with me for about 5 miles...which at the time was needed as the weather had turned foul, I had picked up a blister (bad admin)  and the road conditions without a path were a bit treacherous...anyway no comparison to what the Help for Heroes recipients have to go through so blisters and aches are nothing. We met some generous people on the way and without prompt many donated into the bucket including Norman Head (former Royal Pioneer Corps) who dropped £20 into it, just as we came to the end of Day Two...awesome. The going was okay although the Romans have a lot to answer for with straight roads and the local council could do with putting a path on the side of the road....but at least Chris found the map reading easy. Have to say a great thanks to my best friend from OU (Sophie) who turned up too which was brilliant and added a much needed boost to the team 'mexican wave' as I shuffled past on a few occasions. My father in law is threatening to join us tomorrow and he was a fair runner in his time so he may even get his shorts on and shuffle beside me who knows....

Music still inspires and the horn honking and messages in text, e mail and donations as well as the main reason for the challenge...so keep passing on the word and hopefully, all being equal, I should reach my target and beyond. Chris, bless him as even gone off with the bucket tonight to a social event locally to try and drum up some more support. Also like to thank everyone who has called and text with a pledge of donations whilst I have been running, just brilliant.  

All the best

Spike

Update Ten 29 Aug 09 0700hrs

Halfway stage.....Four done and Four to do....and at the moment, I am feeling good. No update on Thursday because I had no internet and last night the timing meant that I couldn't get online. ANYWAY, John and Nicky - the medical support team joined me and not to soon given that my blister needed some treatment and even if it was skinned up with second skin it was a painful day. Thursday was a hard day as the road conditions were too dangerous to run at a constant pace so it was a bit of a stop start process. Nevertheless, the day passed okay and apart from the billy basics of a little sunburn and a blister, physically I was in good shape, especially after a rub down on  the side of the road at the half way point. At the end of the day Nicky (physio) gave me a fantastic rub down and 'unknotted' my back and shoulders as well as gave my legs a good going over after an ice bath that was a welcome rest. And that was the end of Marathon three......and once again thankyou to all that text with messages of support and for the donations....I will send out a reminder via e mail and text today to bolster the support THANKYOU...

Friday morning began with another rub down which set me up for the day and I felt great....the weather was constant showers and strong head winds as I travelled towards the Arboretum, so it was dress up, dress down day, which again made the going stop start although by the end of the day changing on the move was a piece of....cake.....mmmmmmmm cake. The road traffic was as bad as on Thursday which was even more dangerous with the driving rain and wind therefore I switched to the canal towpaths which pretty much mirrored the route apart from a few more twists and turns (they also provided shelters under bridges). Either way the GPS gave me an accurate location and therefore the distance was monitored throughout...sadly the canals drop short of the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas and therefore the 10 mile to the 19 mile point (Arboretum) was back on the road. I got to the Arboretum and John, Nicky and I walked a sombre walk around the site, all of us pointing out friends and colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This was a moment for personal contemplation for us all and therefore we decided to only stay for an hour, which also meant that I didn't cool down too much although by this time the weather was very cold. I then restarted heading into Sutton Coldfield. The last 9 miles (we ended up doing a bit more due to location of the road) were a pain as once again the road conditions made it a stop start process. I was also conscious that Nicky was heading back home after the run as she and John have a young daughter and Nicky needed to get home. So we completed in a relatively long time but we finished. Just when I was resigned to my ice bath and a rest with some dinner my in laws reappeared and bought me a pasta dinner which was wonderful....so thanks to John and Pauline for the boost and the donations....

AND NOW TODAY....moving to Selly Oak hospital for a brief visit and then move on to the home leg (albeit a few days yet)....the danger of the roads and especially on a Bank Holiday Weekend we have looked at the canals and given that the whole network moves into and out of the City (Birmingham) we are using the towpaths with stopping points for safety and ease into the City. Likewise we will be using the towpaths to get out and looking further ahead the canals do move towards home....but we will assess that tonight....

KEEP DONATING and thankyou for your continued support....

Spike  

Update Eleven 30 Aug 09

Simple and straightforward today.....5 down 3 to go...a MASSIVE THANKYOU to Bernie Saul and her daughter for going to Selly Oak and waiting for me to arrive (although I got my timings wrong and distance too) which meant that although John saw them at the Hospital I missed them...banners and all....I will put the pictures on the site once I download them tomorrow from John's camera. Likewise the pictures so far will be on here tomorrow at some point.The towpath option was a good one and a lot safer than the road network...so tomorrow is more of the same after an initial 2 miles on the road the Grand Union Canal will be our route on the homeward leg...although we shall see how injuries hold up after a big tendonitis surge for most of today. A big thankyou too for Craig R at Selly Oak Hospital (Military Rehab) who had agreed to meet us when we arrived but due to the timing change it never happened and as he is already an extremely busy man I didn't feel we should be pestering him any more than we already had...anyway, many thanks to all the staff at Selly Oak for all their hard work. John was brilliant today as he took over as physio as well as med support as Nicky had to return home to see their daughter is not very well...so get well to her too.

So although I said it was a straightforward day...a lot happened and the weather held and the canals are a mix of allsorts...countryside, industrial and great looking City Centre in Birmingham that had a buzzing atmosphere as I ran through.

Finally for now...thanks for all the messages of support and for the uplift in donations...superb!..and the ice bath tonight was needed...right leg is in bits....but gotta keep going. Just so I don't forget...John and Nicky have both joined me on the run for periods....John has put in about 15 miles and Nicky put in 4 or 5 too....great prep for her own London Marathon bid next year. John  and Nicky have been absolutely brilliant...Right, time to sleep.... 

Spike and John

Update Twelve 1 Sep 09

Okay...apologies for the lack of updates and picture but it has been very difficult getting online where I have been staying and therefore today is the day....updates from each day and pics that is...

FIRSTLY...I did it....although total distance exceeded my original challenge of 209 miles in the form of eight marathons in eight days..I actually ran 217.9 miles including the last day with footpath diversions of 27.8 miles.

Marathon Six was literally a marathon as I was really suffering with my right leg so I had to reduce the running to a shuffle although the going on the canals was better than trying to concentrate on the roads...John played a blinder and leapfrogged me in terms of bridges, then running back to me to give encouragement to keep on going. He did this when his daughter was ill and Nicky was trying to ascertain what the problem was, so I am grateful that he managed to keep focussed. I am also endebted to Nicky for the commitment given to me when she is due back to work and I was probably the last thing she needed so Nicky I say a very humbling THANK YOU and I will be sending something for your wonderful help, especially the treatment on the roadside on day three (see pics) and I hope that everything is okay with E. John managed me and sorted out the handover to Chris L whilst also ensuring I was still supported so we parted company at the 13 mile point on Marathon Six (see pics again). I then shuffled, ran and had to walk a small bit of the nine miles before I linked up with Chris L who saw me in after a particularly gruelling day....but satisfying nevertheless. One last mention for John and Nicky...they both felt that Marathon three and Six would be the most difficult....and they were right, or maybe I thought that because they said it...who knows?. Anyway, during Marathon Six a woman stopped me and asked me if she could offer me any 'Reike' (spelling) support whilst I was running...I said yes as anything would help....and strangely enough it seemed to...for a while anyway, maybe her internal GPS was out....although she couldn't help the weather as it came down for the last three hours or so...

I did get an update on my Open University Assignment which was a really good score (can't say what it was) from my tutor Dr Michael C...another massive boost to keep me going...

 

Marathon Seven...Chris L in support (thanks to Steph his 'far' better half) and his GPS was definitely out....We started the day with a great plan, a great route and the weather was glorious....again on the canals. Due to the injury we agreed I would take it easy for the first couple of miles and then if I could increase the pace. After about 30 minutes I get a call from Chris and he asks me if I had reached the tunnel yet....which I hadn't...so he says well you need to pick up your pace....so I did. A further twenty minutes goes by and a call from Chris...you at the tunnel yet....'nope'...so I asked a bloke with a narrow boat...and he said you are about 12 miles from the tunnel....which I told Chris....he had only gone the wrong way!...Right canal (Grand Union) wrong way....when you see him ask about Braunston Tunnel. Anyway, the day passed with little more than a slow in the pace due to numerous stops to sort out my right achilles, left quad and left heel....as my trainers were now causing an issue with swelling feet. Chris however, in his very humourous way started doing the leapfrogging from checkpoints which did the trick...he has said himself he hates running and this has done nothing for his passion for the concept...however, his commitment was superb and he jogged with me for a majority of the day, keeping my spirits up. We came of the canal with about three miles to push to get to a hotel for the final night which was hard going on the legs but Chris pushed ahead and met up with the owner Shiraz of the Comfort Inn in Milton Keynes who was absolutely brilliant...he helped with everything, the food, the ice, the whole package and I can thoroughly recommend his tuna pasta which was wolfed down in no time....and the porridge he gave us for breakfast...his hospitality was just second to none, even seeing us off this morning. I have to say  that I didn't sleep well though...despite a really great bed and perfect conditions...just concerned I suppose about the final day although Chris said it's just gravy now in his booming tones and told me to get on with it.......

Marathon Eight...we were determined that the final marathon would be set at a decent pace but with due consideration to my now mounting injury list...so I set off at a healthy pace and apart from the one deviation through Milton Keynes (my fault) everything was on course to get back before people finished work. Chris saw me through Milton Keynes, Wavendon, Aspley Guise, Ridgemont, Liddlington giving me regular massages on my ankle (now a cankle) and quad...filling me with fluids and making sure I ate enough...the weather was holding and Stu M had been in touch to come out and allow Chris L to run the last bit with me....so thanks Stu...really appreciate it buddy...he even offered to massage my manky feet when Chris was sorting himself out...rather him than me. I was still having issues with my legs but wanted to ensure that I had ample left in the tank to at least shuffle through the gates and get back to the Memorial. At about the 6 miles out my Wife and Son were in contact which boosted me even more and I started to feel that the end was insight...then as Chris and Stu swapped over for the final push we hit a hill and it began to rain...again...but we really got a buzz from the hill and apart from a tightness in my back I was feeling good....we then started run walking using the telephone poles as markers....that took us into the last two when Jo N from work came into view (in a car I might add) and then a crowd from work who had come out to the two mile point to run in with me....it was a superb feeling and although very embarrassing being clapped (especially when still had two to go) by peers and the Big Boss....I have to admit it drove me on and adrenalin took over...a few jibes about my compression socks (see pics) and then it was push on to the Main Gate...which was a brilliant feeling....and the finally the last hill to the Memorial and the final few hundred metres which I wanted to sprint. Not sure I would actually call it a sprint...but it seemed fast and with my Wife C and my son I cheering me on as well as Chris and the team who met me....felt like I had achieved my aim....and that is it....what a day....what a feeling and what an eight day experience!

The biggest factor is the money is still coming in and I appreciate that some will not sponsor until the event has been completed....   WELL NOW IT HAS!....so I say once again, dig deep and every little helps...I have a couple of collection tins to put in and a bucket which has been passed around various locations at work so I am still hoping to achieve my target....and that is £5,000 before Gift Aid...Help For Heroes is a wonderful organisation and I for one believe that it could be any one of us who needs their help in the future so once again...please dig deep...and for those who already have, and those who forwarded the mail on THANKYOU.

I got some wonderful support from friends, family, colleagues, strangers and people on the journey...thankyou. I couldn't have done it without you....sick bags in the seat in front of you...toilets are here, here, and here.....

Spike.......

Update Thirteen 03 Sep 09

It does not stop at the run and the fundraising continues. I have had some wonderful words of congratulation and I want to say what I shared with one of the wonderful people who donated this morning. One of my motivating factors was that I am able bodied and some less able have done more than I have and continue to do so much more for this worthy cause. I am totally focused by the whole concept and sometimes feel many forget what is needed in war time to support our wounded. As another Serviceman is killed in Afghanistan I can only wonder how many have been injured alongside him. The numbers of wounded personnel increases daily and therefore this galvanizes my own personal goal to help. I am now looking at other events and have met up with an Ultra Eventer within my own Unit who wants to work as a team so I go on. Thankyou for listening to my ramblings.....

Spike

Update Fourteen 5 Sep 09

Well the body is slowly coming to terms with not running 26 miles per day and the injuries are slowly subsiding....although no running for a few days...Doctors Orders....can't stop me swimming though right?...Anyway, a few stats....I did my BMI before I left and strangely enough it has not changed by much....incredible given the average 6000 cals a day I was burning off...Doc thinks that once the initial weight loss tapered off (lost one and a half stone in three days) and I balanced the gel intake and recovery potions with a good breakfast (full English or porridge) then the body adjusted to the routine of run, burn, eat etc...which I sort of understand. Whatever, I did not have any massive weight loss but I feel great (aside from the injuries)...and the intent is to continue with running...maybe not so far (although there are some tempting Ultra events coming up) until such time that it becomes my sport. Total calorie loss is approximately 50,000 over the 8 days...but of course I probably ate as much in balance....fluid intake was obviously high...about 10 litres a day of which 6 were on the run itself. I listened to about 1600 songs during the whole 8 days....although some were repeated...only got 1000 songs on my ancient MP3 player...and some of the inspirational songs helped....

The biggest factoid is that the money is still coming in and for those who do not like the web then I am collecting the cash from Monday next week....which they have already pledged which is cool....I am on course to reach my total and hoping I can surpass it...but if you know someone who would like to donate then give them a nudge...every little helps...

Thanks again..

Spike

Update Fifteen 17 Sep 09

Today I got a major boost from 'fellow members' within my workplace who voted to donate a sum of £200 from the charities fund to my cause for which I am endebted to big Chris (again) and Deano for representing me at this meeting. This will take me seriously close to my target and with a possibility of the senior management within the Unit potentially matching this I could surpass the overall total. Once again, the generosity is superb and others who have committed to donate amongst colleagues....and I still have more pots and bins to raid....THANKS FROM ME PERSONALLY BUT ALSO ON BEHALF OF HELP FOR HEROES.....FANTASTIC.... 

Spike 

Update Sixteen 30 Sep 09

Well...just when I thought the donations were dwindling away....a few hundred more hits the fund....so many thanks to Mark Stephenson for a wonderful boost and also to Paul R too and a few others for keeping it ticking over...and I still have a the £200 to go in from within my workplace...which is superb. I am still awaiting a few donations from people who are waiting for pay day which I think is great too...so hopefully my initial target will be met and then I will stop pestering people for now...UNTIL THE NEXT ONE. I think the 'Wounded' programme brought home the message better than I can say and the bravery of the individuals featured not just in battle but in the aftermath of battle....and I wish them both well...it was about time that the British public saw for themselves....anyway, enough ranting....get donating....THANKYOU...

Cheers

Spike

Update Seventeen 7 Jul 2010

New venture new page....check it out....see page two...moving to 2011 for 1092 mile journey....using pedal power, walking boots and trainers....mixing it up a bit (once I am fully fit after major injury)...it WILL happen though