Raised: 101%
Target: £4,000.00
Raised so far: £4,055.00
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My story

 
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

Congratulations on all your efforts. Well done ! Donation by Kathleen Hebden 25/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

run Donation by dima 19/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck! I'm happy to support this worthy cause Donation by Miriam Scherf 19/09/08  

£15.00

Good luck guys! Donation by Shona 11/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck boys Donation by John A 10/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Figured Jo and I can sleep under the stars for a couple of nights :) Good luck... Donation by Inge (Knockie) 09/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

I will double it if you beat your time so run well and smash it! A very worthy cause indeed and good luck to you both. x Donation by Jules 08/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck to you both - hope you beat 3hr 30. Donation by Mark Connell 07/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Ed - Ste Loch 07/09/08  

£10.00

Hope you have a fantastic run - good luck to you both. Donation by Hazel Adair 07/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck...sure you'll do Gaz proud, xxx Donation by Rachel Hogan 05/09/08  

£20.00

best of british luck lads Donation by GJA 04/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck & Well done! This is an important charity Donation by Chris Day 04/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good cause..good luck! Donation by sarah 01/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hoping you will find all your strength for a great run and fondest wishes to Keith and Rita. Donation by Nick & Pat Hughes 01/09/08  

£150.00

Better legs than we have Donation by Al and Sue Gray 30/08/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Jo Akester 30/08/08  

£10.00

good news dr h, we've finished the stadium. not really, obviously... Donation by not dr s 29/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck for a very worthy cause Donation by Jo & Kin Li 29/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best wishes for 27th Oct! Donation by Mike Townsend 29/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck!! Donation by Russ & Bregje 29/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go for it...great idea Donation by Rob Brudenell 28/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best guys, nice one. Donation by Nick O'C 27/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Getting the maids outfit out this time? Donation by Alice 27/08/08  

£5.00

Splendid idea guys. Good luck on the day Donation by Colin C 27/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

your a bunch of decent fellas...you go for it and all the luck o the irish to ya! xxx Donation by lea 26/08/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Top idea, nice one fellas. Donation by Danny & Joolz 26/08/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done boys! Hope it goes well, good luck! Donation by Kev & Amie 26/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

i'm only stumping up if you wear a tutu Donation by liam 26/08/08  

£25.00

My friend Nathan Haycox tragically took his life 3 weeks ago, Good work in raising the awareness of these young suicides Parky. Good luck on the run. Donation by Jon Dunn 26/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £4,055.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,001.00

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