David Martland
Dave, Sim & Nick attempt the Scottish Ultra 2010 for the The Alzheimer's Society
Fundraising for Alzheimer's Society
Story
£600 race entry fee;
£184 on two flights and a ferry to the Isle of Islay ( Inner Hebrides );
100's of training miles;
4 pairs of trainers;
2 physio opinions, one saying "you shouldn't do it" the other saying "you probably wont be able to do it";
1 nose bleed ( due to it snowing when i was running ); and
More chaffing in places i never knew i had !
On the 1st May myself and two close friends ( Sim and Nick ) are competing / enduring the 'toughest' Ultra Marathon in the UK, the Scottish Ultra ( http://www.scottishultra.com/ ) - the race consists of c.140 miles across mountains, cliffs and beaches over 5 days and going by last years race could see us encountering 70mph winds, sleet, hail and driving rain !
"Why ? Why do it ?", i hear you ask - a great question indeed ! 4 years ago i climbed 10 mountains >4,000m in the Monte Rosa range ( please see the pictures below ) and had one of the most incredible experiences of my life - so when this opportunity arose i thought why not, how hard can it be ... ... well 4 hours later, after having run only 11 miles across the bogs of Winter Hill ( "hill" NOT "mountain" ), in Bolton i realised what i had let myself in for !
Over the 5 day challenge i no doubt will be draw upon every strength i can muster, but i am certain that the greatest driving force will be the memory of my Grandpa - my grandfather suffered for the last 5 years of his life. It changed not only his life but the lives of all those around him. Alzheimers and dementia affects hundreds of thousands of people directly and indirectly in the UK alone.
There are many terrific charities all worthy of support, and many people doing many great things for sponsorship at the moment - however if you find yourself in a fortunate position to be able to sponsor me and the incredible work the Alzheimer's Society does, please dig deep ! ( And in the interests of clarity, all costs of running in the Ultra including, race entry, flights, food, trainers etc are all being paid for by myself, and every penny that is donated goes direct to the Alzheimer's Society ! )
Many thanks for your support, please wish me luck ! David