Sat 4th November 2006

This is me at the finish breathing a very big sigh of relief! We finished towards the back of the field; major navigational disaters on Day 1 cost us about 1&1/2hrs blundering around in thick mist, bogs and tussocks trying to get back on track. I reckon we forded 7 large streams/rivers during the day and carried a fair amount of mud and water around with us! Overnight camp was ok despite me trying to set fire to the tent - some quick handy work saw the stove thrown out of the tent just in time, a burnt fly screen the only damage fortunately! After being woken by bagpipes (a KIMM/OMM tradition) at 6.00am the following morning Day 2 was so different with warm blue skies and better terrain. Although we had a good second day, we couldn't recover the lost time.

Thanks again to all those who sponsored me.

Robert

Last update before race day - 22nd Oct

Well, by this time next week we should be at the finish line! Weather has been so mild, I've been packing my gear thinking do I really need all this warm stuff or do I take a really big gamble?! Not doing too much running now, it's a case of balancing training and the risk of injury - it takes too long to recover at my age!

Next entry will be post OMM with finish time/place/photo. Thanks again to all those who have sponsored me and COT.

Latest update - 22nd September

Ho hum, training was going so well until today; managed to pull my right calf muscle. Lots of massage, ice, etc, will hopefuly see me back out putting in the miles next week.

On a more positive note I now have a running partner - the famous Tim Taylor from Leeds. So far only communicated by email & phone but sounds a great guy - we're getting together on the 1st to plan everything. Having the same name as a great northern bitter is a very good sign I feel!

A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me to date. If you haven't yet got round to it there's still time and don't worry about how much - every little helps!!!!

Robert

After the KIMM 2005 in the Lake District I thought ........ 'that's it, never again!' Having finished the toughest race yet I took 3 weeks to get over shin splints before starting some light running; even at that time I was starting to think about 2006, would I be able to compete again, which charity would I choose?

I have known about the Canterbury Oast Trust for a little while - supporters of the Trust have run a fund raising music quiz night for the past two years at my daughter's school, and I got chatting to one of the organisors, Ken, whose son is a residant at the Trust. After that conversation I decided to choose the Canterbury Oast Trust as my charity for this year's event.

For those of you new to adventure racing, the OMM 2006, previously known as the KIMM, involves a challenging 2-day mountain marathon. You navigate a series of check points and must be self-sufficient, carrying everything you need on your back! If you would like to find out more please have a look at their website: www.theomm.com This year's event is being held in the Galloway Hills of southern Scotland, a remote mountain wilderness known for its great beauty but equally tough conditions!

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Canterbury Oast Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.