Stephen Moir
Stephen's Cairngorm Charity Challenge
Fundraising for Barnardo's
Story
After an intensive training programme, largely based on a mix of denial, unfounded optimism and not fully thinking through what was entailed, I completed the 'Cairngorm Challenge' in 7hrs and 5 minutes, bringing in the team in 4th place. A credible performance from three endurance race novices.
It was hard work but alot of fun. Above all I've managed to raise almost exactly £1,500 for Barnardo's so far so a really big thanks to all of you. £1,500 funds Barnardo's to run 60 counselling sessions for physically abused children. It was both your faith and the prospect of your slagging, if I didn't make it, that pushed me over the line.
It was also a learning experience on a number fronts:
- forgetting your lunch when you've got seven hrs excercise ahead of you is not a morale boosting move
- a £15 fleece and shorts are no match for 70mph winds and a windchill factor of -12c
- running down a munro is not, contrary to the propaganda, 'actually easier than walking down it'
- a trained medic offering you salt'n'vinegar crisps as a treatment for chronic cramp does not instill confidence in his expertise
- cycling downhill while eating crisps is trickier than it looks
- salt'n'vinegar crisps, it turns out, are not a cure-all treatment for cramp
- the Cairngorms mysteriously suspend the laws of physics and geography; you can start and finish in the same place but cover more kilometers going uphill than downhill
- you can mark 'padded' shorts and 'energy' drinks up as marketing hype; peanut m&ms are much more effective
- lying on your back in wet clothes, on a wet field, in the rain, knowing that a world of pain is in the post can still be a blissful experience
Thanks once again for all your support. Barnardo's are looking for next years teams so start the training now!
Stephen