CHALLENGE - successfully completed!
STAGE 2 - Complete
Yes, despite suffering from injuries (new and old) from about the 8.5 mile mark, and then breaking down at 16 miles (!), I managed to finish the London Marathon in a time of 4hrs 43mins 41secs, which put me in 16,406th place (out of about 36,000). The last 10 miles nearly killed me!.......honestly, I'm not sure how I managed it!! As a result I am now well and truly crocked (I can't walk properly yet....2 days later) and probably won't be able to run for a few weeks. On the plus side, I've applied for next year's London Marathon and am determined to break the 4 hour mark. With a 12 month training schedule starting from a better position than last year (I had to lose 3 stones this time and couldn't even manage a half mile run without stopping for air!). If you haven't sponsored me already I would still be very grateful for your support in helping to raise vital funds for The Shooting Star Children's Hospice. Thank you everyone who has helped me to succeed with this challenge, and raise a staggering amount of money.
STAGE 1 - Complete
As you can see from the photo, I made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Now just a small matter of a Marathon to run! (with yet another injury!!.....I'm starting to bore myself!)
If you haven't sponsored me already, please please help me reach my target of £10,000 for the Shooting Star Children's Hospice, by donating whatever you can afford.
Many many thanks to all of those who have supported me so far. Without that support I'm certain I wouldn't have summoned up the physical and mental strength to reach the summit peak.
NEWSFLASH: You can now track our progress to Africa and to the top of Kilimanjaro (BLOGS and VIDEO) at our event dedicated website:-
As you will know, I will be attempting the challenge of getting to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro AND running the London Marathon within the space of 10 days, during April 2009.
At the time I agreed to this madness I found myself 3 stone overweight and sporting a BMI number in excess of 30, rendering me officially OBESE!!! (what’s that all about?!). To compound matters I was constantly reminded by those closest to me that I only had months left of being a thirtysomething…….
Something drastic was needed, and this is it;
Kilimanjaro Vs The London Marathon
C’mon!!
.............well, it beats a mid-life crisis!
A team of 5 of us will embark on an epic trek up the World’s tallest freestanding mountain, with the odds stacked firmly against success; only 40% of people make it to the top! Not sure what happens to the other 60% but the lions in the National Park below look well fed!!
Then, after a 10 day break, it’s off to Blackheath for me, to line up for the London Marathon.
It was 1997 when I uttered the immortal words “never again”, which was followed by “never ever again” 2 years later in New York. This will make it the hat-trick and then it really will be “the last time”……………..honest!
Whilst my desire to get fit and cling onto a modicum of youth is a motivation, my true inspiration for this challenge is The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, so named because like shooting stars each life-limited child is unique; they shine bright but alas are gone far too soon. I have been involved with this fantastic charity since its inception and it is truly the most deserving of causes.
So please dig deep and pledge as much as you can to sponsor me through the pain barrier that I am heading toward.
Just click on the DONATE NOW button above or below.
Thank you for your support,
Paul
For updates on our training and other news, please visit our website at www.teamshootingstar.co.uk
NEWSFLASH
7.11.08 - I have pledged to also do the London to Brighton Cycle Ride in June 2009 (just for the hell of it!) if I achieve my personal fundraising target of £10k. Only YOU can make that happen, so please give generously.
TRAINING UPDATES
22.10.08 - Many of you will know I have been cycling and swimming of late due to several running injuries (the worsed one being shin splints - how painful are they!). Well I'm pleased to say the Physio has given me the all clear (after 10 weeks off!) to start running again this weekend. Just when the weather is getting interesting!!.......can't wait! Check out my FACEBOOK for regular updates.
8.11.08 - I've been gently getting back to the running, and did a good 10k today (at 6am!) in good time and with no repercussions of the injury. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Thanks to Alexis (physio) for getting me here. Also still doing lots of cycling - it's hard work in the rain and wind!
8.12.08 - what a month it's been! My 23 week Training Plan began in earnest on 17th Nov, and after 3 weeks I'm pleased to say I remain on schedule, and fit and healthy. Will be running approximately 75 miles this month, and that includes 'generous' breaks for festive drinks etc!! Still cycling and will probably clock up 60 miles over the Christmas period. My very good friend Bazza has secured 4 months gym membership for me at Colets Health & Fitness Club to help through the winter, and this will be invaluable..............given the fact I nearly broke my neck 4 times yesterday running on icy pavements!! Thanks Baz.
21.12.08 - DISASTER!..woke up yesterday morning with a stiff knee,then watched as it slowly swelled during the day. Haven't even trained for 3 days so it can't be that. Have had to cancel today's 15 mile run. Very disappointed and very worried.
11.1.09 - Well, the last injury was diagnosed as torn knee ligaments and I was told not to run for 3 weeks!! Managed a bit of cycling down the gym before then suffering a groin strain!! Clearly I'm over the hill and have probably got more chance of going to the moon than completing this double challenge, but I won't give in! So much so that I've been out running again this last week and managed to clock up 26 miles (not in one go!), including a 10 miler this morning. I wonder what's going to go next!!.............watch this space!
7.2.09 - Well this week has been interesting with all the snow. Actually got caught in it on a run last Sunday and by the time I got home I looked like a snowman!! Thankfully I've been able to make good use of the gym this week, mainly cycling, to keep things going but I hope the ice melts soon as I need to start upping the mileage. I also need to increase the sponsorship! Am definitely behind target so please give generously. I need the motivation, and the Children's Hospice needs your support. Fingers crossed, no more injuries to report!
8.3.09 - Less than 1 month to go now! Have had an interesting few weeks since the last update. Have turned 40! (Boo!) Have gone through the 1000 training miles barrier (yes, ONE THOUSAND! - approx 400 running and 600 cycling). Have sustained another injury (feels like a strain or something in the groin/top of the leg) which is going to mean at least a week off (not happy!). I always seem to get injured when Paula Radcliffe does!! (weird!!) Have just landed myself with a cold which is on my chest (at least it's when I'm injured and can't train anyway!). Have managed to attract a few more sponsors which has lifted the amount raised to nearly £7,000. I really need some help to reach my target of £10k so please tell your friends; it would really give me that extra boost if I knew I'd made the target, and all you sponsors had helped make such a big difference to the lives of others. Incidentally, if you have any doubt about my commitment and suffering, I have a photo (copies available on request!) of me after a 15 mile run showing the blood stains on my shirt from 2 severely sore nipples!!.....now that's gotta be worth a few quid?! O yeah, and finally, I have now officially lost 3 stone since starting out on the training!!!
16.3.09 - It's all gone horribly wrong! The injury turns out to be worse than originally thought, as evidenced by a complete inability to walk following a 3 mile walk yesterday!! Not good! I've torn the tendon at the top of my right leg and the Physio has said "I can probably get you fixed for Kilimanjaro but you ought to start coming to terms with the fact that it is unlikely you will be able to run the Marathon the week after". Of course, I'm not having that and will be busting a gut to get myself fit enough to do BOTH still. Please help with my motivation and determination by sponsoring me.
20.3.09 - Better news; injury is improving and I will be chancing a short run in 2-3 days time. My physio Alexis (of ABLE PHYSIOTHERAPY in Hampton) has magic fingers! Swimming, recliner cycling, and running on a trampoline are now my only forms of exercise, which is not where I expected to end up! On the downside, I seem to have pulled my Popliteus (!), so need to be extra careful. Keep supporting me!
1.4.09 - Still injured but battling on! Have managed a few training runs and a long walk up and down Box Hill (it's not quite Kilimanjaro!) and am confident I will now manage to complete both challenges.....just don't expect any world records! I still need help with motivation - please give what you can to help this great cause. Every penny counts. Incidentally, BLOGS and VIDEO now available at www.TeamShootingStar.co.uk - follow our progress...
6.4.09 - Well here we are, just 9 hours before I fly out to take on the first part of this double challenge. The injury has almost completely healed however I have lost so much training time that my goals have inevitably had to change. Still aiming for the summit of kilimanjaro, followed by a non-stop run in the Marathon rather than a good time. As I set off for Africa I'm still a little short of my target but I'm hopeful of a late surge to get me past the £10,000 mark by the time I get back to England on 18th April. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far; it has really helped to keep me going through some tough times. Don't forget to track our progress on the mountain by visiting www.TeamShootingStar.co.uk
23.4.09 - Happy St. George's Day! Well it's only 3 days to go before the Marathon is well and truly under way, and as usual I am injured! Alexis (the world's greatest Physio) is giving me deep and intense massage to try and alleviate a contorted calf muscle which is strangulating a blood vessel (very painful with each stride). Whatever happens I will get round the course this Sunday, but I have now completely discarded any hopes I was clinging onto that I might achieve a 'good' time. Not a problem, since there's always next year!!! Once again, thank you to everyone who has sponsored and supported me over the last 12 months.........it's been a journey!
28.4.09 - It's now 2 days after the Marathon and I am still struggling to walk with any reasonable command of my limbs! Basically the legs started to go at 8.5 miles when the most recent injury (left calf) reared its head, which was followed about 2 miles later by the previous injury (right thigh - upper tendon). I got to halfway in 2 hours having decided to run 'slower' so as to try and last but this all became academic as I started to suffer from about 13 miles. By the time I reached 16 miles I had to stop (on my physio's advice) to do stretches and massage, but to my horror, when I started running again I found I couldn't and basically broke down within 20 yards! I forced myself to keep going somehow but found I had to keep stopping (about 6 or 7 times) to stretch and massage over the next 6 miles. Leg problems then escalated with me suffering with both knees, cramp to my right calf, aching hips, and finally (and worse of all) something badly torn behind my right knee. This injury was extremely painful throughout the last 4 miles and is now the main reason I'm struggling to walk. To reach the finish line was an incredible feeling given that 10 miles beforehand (which equated to about 2 hours at the pace I had slowed to) I really didn't think it would be possible to finish, regardless of how determined I was. All said and done I'm pleased to say I've already applied for next year's Marathon and will do it in under 4 hours! (that's the next challenge).
THANK YOU to Offline and Corporate Sponsors:-
WIRE3 TECHNOLOGIES - my employer, and staunchest supporter!
L LYNCH PLANT HIRE - thanks Merrill and everyone at Lynch; fantastic support.
COMMERCIAL TYRES - thanks Paul, your money is in good hands!
TEMPLETONS - cheers Frank
INTREPID SECURITY SOLUTIONS - thanks Noel (will be seeking your advice in the coming months!!)
INTERNATIONAL LIFT EQUIPMENT - thanks Paul and everyone else at ILE
REGENCY SHIPPING LTD - massive thanks to Richard and all at RSL.
SPORTING SURFACE SUPPLIES - thanks Dickie, you are a true gent
ELIXIR PROJECTS - thank you Diane & Mandy. x
SOUNDS GOOD RADIO - cheers Steve, I knew you had it in you! 
InTECHNOLOGY - thanks to everyone at InTechnology for your support
DAY AGGREGATES - thank you Dominic and all at Day Group
QUATTRO UK LTD - fantastic support from Eamon. Thank you so much. And good luck to Jimmy at Quattro who is also running the marathon.
FLEETOBSERVER - thanks to Tim, Matt, Penny, and Emily. I really appreciate your support.
LEASING PROGRAMMES - thanks Andrew and all your staff (even Suzi01!...ha ha) for your support.
PENWARDEN HAULAGE - thanks Brandon for you generous support, and for listening to me for an hour talking about it!
OPTRAK - thanks Tim for your support.
MARDELL-PICK DESIGN LTD - thanks Martin, I really appreciate your support.
IJS GLOBAL UK LTD - thank you Mike, Gary, Pete, and everyone else at IJS. I really appreciate your support.......and comment below!
SIMPLY COURIERS LTD - thanks Joe that's fantastic!...I really appreciate it. See you soon.
LUPPRIANS COMPUTER EXPRESS - thank you so much John and everyone else at Lupprians for your support.
KILLOUGHERY - massive thanks to Paul and everyone at Killoughery.
HADLEY SOUTHERN LTD - many thanks to Eddy and everyone at Hadleys.
