DONE AND DUSTED
Both Rob and I are glad to get out the other side in one piece, although I think I might be losing a toe nail in the next few days.
We would just like to say a heart felt thank you on behalf of not just the 2 of us, but also Keith, Rita and Rowan, to all of you who have supported us with your generosity and help raise a fantastic amount of money for a great cause. For those of you who haven't done so yet, it's ok, but you'd better get on with it.
HOW DID WE DO
Not bad. After setting a challenging time to aim for, our confidence was reduced due to slight knocks and work OT taking the edge of the latter stages of our training. In very cold conditions we got off to steady first quarter and looked at finishing around 3h 45m. With a little sunshine and 2 consecutively quicker quarters after that, we entered the final 10k feeling strong and a mere 45 minutes outside our original time. We decided to give it ago, along with some chap called Dave(?). Unfortunately Rob pulled up with cramp shortly after. I was genuinely caught in two minds whether to stop but Rob shouted me on in a scene reminiscent of an epic war film... it was emotional. Dave and I pushed on and despite slicing through the field, the final 30mins was seriously long and tough. I lost Dave as he had more legs getting up the last hill. I tried to hang on to his coat tails but failed. Into the last mile I contemplated easing in but instead the sudden emergence of an energetic crowd lifted me once more, and I like to think they appreciated my attempts of the what could be the slowest grandstand sprint finish in world history as I crossed the line in 3hr 32m 25s. Meanwhile Rob stretched out his cramp and painfully got back to his running. His last 30min was plagued by more bouts of cramp in almost every muscle of his legs (as well as his right arm!?), and he bravely stopped, stretched and started himself again to finish in a very respectable 3h 45m 09s. With a little more luck we would have come in together.
HIGHWAY TO GEL
Long training runs are tough as you have limited fluid and fuel to claw back some of the 2000-3000 calories lost during the run. When Rob got wind of a university research project which would give us as many 'High5' energy gels as you could carry in exchange for a urine and blood sample either side of the run, we signed up. How often do we have take these things? Every 20minutes. EVERY 20 MINUTES. That's about 13 or 14. I hope these things taste nice. They didn't, and certainly not by the 7th inside 2hrs. By the 14th I was nearly sick. Reward for our participation was that we walked away with 2*30 boxes of more energy gels each. Great. We also got interviewed for a High5 TV campaign to recount our experiences and pretend that their gels actually tasted nice. So watch out for us in a home near you soon.
TAKING THE MICHAEL
Animals. Just animals. Put perfectly respectable individuals in an endurance event like this and they lose all sense of decency. I think every possible part of Dublin on the route was used as a wateringstop, and I don't mean drinking water. While penned in starting zone, some chap wee'd on the floor, a lady stood next to him, looked at the pool around his now slightly damp trainers, smiled and started chatting to him. Bizarre. At this stage it was 2mins before the start and not a toilet in sight and I was desperate. I had running tights on and considered just letting go in hope of drying off once I got running. Decency prevailed and I eventually stopped after about 10k for a much needed leak, which slowed us up by about 2 or 3 minutes. The same amount of time we were outside of the target time. I think there is a lesson in there somewhere, although not a pleasant one.
Why did we do such a thing?
In the summer of last year a good friend of ours, Gaz Allingham, tragically took his own life. For those of you didn't have the pleasure, I can tell you Gaz was a very kind, well humoured and generous young man. He has left a gap in the lives of those who knew him and none more than he most wonderful family who miss him dearly.
Where does my money go?
To 'Papyrus'. A charity committed to suicide prevention, focusing predominantly on the emotional well-being of children, teenagers and young adults.
'Each year in the UK 1800 young people between 15 and 34 end their own lives, more than 1300 of these are young men.' PAPYRUS, 2007.
Papryus also run HOPElineUK, a confidential helpline staffed by trained professionals who can give support, practical advice and information to anyone concerned that a young person they know maybe at risk of harming themselves. Please have a look at thier website to see how important their work is: www.papyrus-uk.org.
What do I get in return?
A warm fuzzy feeling of well-being that you have contributed to a worthwhile cause and recongised a decent effort put into to get round in a reasonable time.
What we'd like?
It's still not too late to add a contribution and any donation will be a fantastic gesture and gratefully received.
Thank you for visiting and reading our page. Please dig deep and sponsor us any money in the hope that it will prevent the unnecessary loss of another young person through suicide.
Ed and Rob
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Papyrus will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
If you want to discuss the run, charity or just say hi, please feel free to contact me on: 07976 728 132 or eddie_meow@hotmail.com
Raised:
101%
Raised so far: £4,055.00
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May the force be with you! Donation by Rob's Dad & Mum (Clive & Jenny) on 21/08/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Well done both of you - a very worthy cause ! Donation by Ed's mum & dad (Richard & Lynne) on 18/08/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Have a good run .... and Baby M will give another £50.00 if you beat your target. Donation by Rich, Yvonne and Baby Mark on 18/08/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Good luck with the run.... Donation by Fidget on 18/08/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Well done lads for showing that you care for Gareth and his family. You two don't need luck! Brilliant Donation by Dave on 18/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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What a brilliant cause. Good luck! xxx Donation by Miriam Salbstein on 16/08/08 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck with your target Donation by Lance Bassett on 15/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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We will double it if you beat your target time Donation by Allan and Sue on 15/08/08 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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The very best of luck to you! Donation by Brian & Becky Stother on 14/08/08 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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You two change your target to £2,500 and the rest of us will beat it, for Gareth and his family. Donation by Paul and Suzanne on 13/08/08 |
£1,000.00 + £282.05 Gift Aid |
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Good Luck - Great cause Donation by Colin Kyte on 13/08/08 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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Have a good run!!!! Donation by Gareth Vio on 12/08/08 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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good luck to you both - (friends of Keith & Rita) Donation by Mel & Sean Comrie on 12/08/08 |
£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid |
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We would personally like to thank both of you for this fantastic effort on behalf of Gareth. x Donation by Keith & Rita on 12/08/08 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £4,055.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £0.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £4,055.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £1,001.00 |
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Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.