I've done it, please find below my full update on the 100 mile running challenge......

Day 1 - Radcote to 24 miles

The day started well, after arriving in Radcote at around mid-day Martin and I commenced running, taking the 1^st step towards the 100 miles that lay ahead. 11 miles in, I had my 1^st blister, of which I was aware I needed to run another 89 miles with!!! Whilst I stopped to wrap my foot, Martin went for a swim in the . Most of day one was across fields, so running on the uneven ground was sometimes extremely difficult, also we hadn’t taken in to account the quality of the pathways, a mile or so of the run was through over grown vegetation, most of which was made up of stinging nettles. With my ankles ringing from the stings, it was somewhat comforting as it removed the focus from the now growing number of blisters!! At mile 22 we came across a dilemma, run 2 more miles or have a pint of Guinness in the famous Trout Inn pub which was built circa 1100 and was used in the filming of TV programme Inspector Morse. We went for the Guinness option, as we were exhausted, knowing that we could cover the extra 2 miles on day 2. Day 1 we completed 22 miles of the 24!!

Day 2 - to 23 miles

As day 1 was cut short we started 2 miles out of at the Trout Inn where we had finished the day before, so actually 25 miles lay ahead of us today! Waking up in the morning and walking was a challenge in itself with my now sore feet and tired legs. We commenced the day again and ran through some of the most stunning countryside whilst continuing our run along the Thames Path. The blisters continued to develop, and I discovered that you can actually get a blister on a blister!! 17 miles in to our 25 mile run we came across a diversion sign, we had to make the decision of either ignoring it or continuing along the river route or follow the diversion signs and run up hill away from the river. In our wisdom we ignored the sign and continued running along the river route. A mile or so later we were at the a lock to find the bridge was closed, meaning we would have to retrace our steps and add approx 2 miles to our 25 mile journey, or plan B finish knowing that we could catch up on day 3, as we knew day 3 was only a 19 mile run, plus the catch up mileage. Plan B was the winner, so we stopped for the day at this point. Day 2 we completed approx 19 miles

Day 3 - to Reading 19 miles

This was due to be 19 miles, but as we fell short by 2 miles on day 1, 5 miles on day 2, plus a 2 mile diversion we actually had an approx 27 mile run ahead of us today!! And to cap it off, when I woke up in the morning the blisters that I had on my blisters were infected and extremely painful. Martin and I arrived at the starting point and commenced running, Martin was very glad he’d invested in a new pair of Asics trainers and had very minimal issues with his feet, whilst I developed a running hobble. At around mile 19/20 just outside of Reading Martin decided to run ahead, as my pace had dropped due to the condition of my feet. Shortly after this point the route diverted away from the River Thames and through a large housing estate. I hobbled on and Martin was no where in sight, the route took me back to the river and I could still not see Martin. I took my mobile phone from my rucksack, switched it on and called Martin to find out if he’d finished already. Martin answered the phone and I could here things were not going OK for him, as he didn’t answer with a hello, he answered and I could hear him asking for directions!!! He had managed to get lost on the housing estate; he upped his paced and got back on route, along with catching up with me before the end, but had added around 3 miles to his run for the day!! But we’d caught up and were back on target, albeit with Martin being some 3 miles up on me due to getting lost. Day 3 we completed 27+ miles

Day 4 - Reading to Marlow 18 miles

We both work up with very sore legs from the previous 27 mile run for me and 30 for Martin, at this point we both thought day 4 was going to be difficult. We started our run, just 18 miles to do today and back on track, again we run through the stunning scenery including Henley on Thames, our pace was slow on day 4 and we didn’t start running till after lunchtime and every step was hard work. We stopped at half way point to eat and drink (loads, including some alcohol to help numb the legs) before continuing. Part of the journey also consisted if climbing up some steep log and earth steps which proved extremely challenging, I was unable to run up this steep climb, and instead found myself having to take 1 or 2 steps at a time, plus lean forward to prevent myself falling back down them!!! We eventually arrived in Marlow, a day I was glad to see the end of, but at the same time sad to be leaving the rural part of this journey behind. Day 4 we completed 18 miles.

Day 5 - Marlow to 16 miles – The final day!!!

After an early night, I woke up feeling slightly more refreshed and my feet had begun to heal, I could actually walk OK!! As we commenced our shortest run we realised what we had achieved, I’ve also learnt that if you run a marathon, never try to do another 1 the day after. As we ran through Maidenhead and Bray, the houses by the grow larger and larger and the Cotswolds we had enjoyed running through previously became a distant memory. When we arrived in we looked forward to our planned late night out to celebrate our achievement. That evening we went out for a celebratory meal and planned where we would continue to celebrate with late night drinks, but instead we were back in the hotel before the 10 o’clock news had finished, exhausted.  Day 5 we completed 16 miles.

The final total of miles completed for me was 102, and Martin with his lost run around the housing estate on day 3 meant he completed somewhere around 105 miles. When we prepared for the run, our expectations were that we’d have plenty of time to relax in the evenings, drink lots of beers on the way, and I even packed some books to read in this spare time that I never looked at once. We also expected to lose around 7 pounds of body weight over the 5 days, but I actually gained 1 or 2 pounds, as we ate so many carbs (chips & bread mainly) when we did eat, plus the 4 or 5 pound we lost throughout the days running were regained when we drank lots of fluids, I also got through more plasters and muscle rub cream than expected!!

On the flip side there were also lots of great times during the 5 days, the running becoming very meditation like and calming when in the groove, some of the scenery was awe inspiring, swimming in the Thames at half way points was great fun (very cold and therapeutic for the thighs), and every evening after a days running we jumped into Jacuzzi’s and saunas to assist in ridding the aches and pains, plus we ate, boy did we eat…… It’s amazing how much we can push ourselves, and how enjoyable it is doing so.

Thanks for all your support, there were many points over the run I thought back to the money that had been kindly donated which kept me spurred on to continue. If you have'nt donated already, as you wanted to ensure the run was completed, please do so.

 

Previous notes pre-run..........

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, I'm taking up a personal challenge of running 100 miles in 5 days to raise money for St Peters Hospital Neonatal Unit. 

You may or may not be aware that both my daughter Esme and son Austin needed the valuable support provided by St Peters Neonatal Unit in the very early stages of their lives. Austin was in the neonatal unit for a week, receiving 24 hour care, as he could not breathe on his own very well, now I couldn't wish for 2 healthier children. The equipment, care and support provided were second to none and reassuring during those vulnerable times. 3 years ago I promised myself that I would return the support by raising funds to ensure other new parents could have the same experience.  Donated funds are utilised to purchase specialist equipment.

I will be running 100 miles over 5 consectutive days along the Thames Path, starting just outside Oxford on Saturday 24th July 2010 and finishing in Windsor Wednesday 28th July 2010!!!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks for your support.

Dean