Sunday, March 28, 2010

Run away train!

Hi again, I'm currently sat at the kitchen table drinking a strong coffee and suffering from the effects of lack of sleep due to just finishing my night shift, one hour lost due to the clocks changing and too much to do!
I'm out on the streets again today shaking that collecting bucket and then on for my final night shift before I head out to the Sahara on Thursday. I'm hoping the people on the streets aren't fed up of me yet! The fundraising seems to be picking up speed now, it's beginning to feel a bit like a runaway train! I had a live radio interview the other day. That was an experience. I was on immediately after Gordon Brown (yes, the real G.B. our PM) apparently I'd taken David Camerons spot because he couldn't make it. I like to think he was dropped because what I had to say was more important! A word of advice, if you're invited to do something similar make sure you have a list of what you want to say. Because it was a fairly last minute confirmation, I didn't have this and struggled to get my justgiving page mentioned. Apart from that it was a good interview (I'm told!). I've got another photo shoot on Tuesday for some more local media coverage with some of my corporate sponsors. So that side of things is going well.
Anyway, after tonights shift, thats it I'm done. Just a couple of days to get my bags pack and labelled. I wish I'd had chance to get that done earlier so I had more lea way if I need to alter anything............ah well can't do everything!

Friday, March 26, 2010

The fund raising experience........

Thought I would let you all know a bit about my fundraising experience. Why? Well, ever since I started down this route so many people have said "it's such hard work" and "it's such a thankless task". So I thought I'd set the record straight, at least from my point of view anyway.


Yes it is hard work however, I have been amazed at peoples kindness and generousity of both the people I have met on the street and the companies I have dealt with. I've really enjoyed meeting folk, some of whom I really didn't think would be interested and speaking to so many people with great tips, advice and stories of their own adventures. It really has been a great experience.

I'd especially like to thank Phil at 'Running Form' Pete at 'New Balance' David at DJ and Ward and of course a big thank you to the continuing support from the people of Burton and surrounding areas! Please keep supporting and donating!

It's the final countdown....do,do,doo,do......do,do,do,do,doo.........!

Sh**e, not long now!

For those of you that don't know in T-minus 5 days I'm heading off to the desert to run in the Marathon des Sables. 155 miles of pure torture across the Sahara desert (perparing myself for the worst!!).

Everybody is asking me the same question "Do you think that you are ready?" well, I don't know if anybody would ever feel completely ready for a challenge like this, but I think I've researched and tested my equipment thoroughly and feel fairly happy with my fitness. I have had a couple of injury set backs so I'm not as far along my training plan as I wanted to be, but I have tested myself on a number of other ultras and coped well, so I guess it's a case of 'suck it and see'!

In summary, I'm feeling apprehensive but keen to get out there!

About Me

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I’ve never been one to turn down the chance for adventure, the biggest and most rewarding one so far was starting a family with my (very understanding) wife! We have three kids, George, Gracie and Evie. All of whom put me to shame with their energy and enthusiasm! I've always preferred the chill of the mountains, either climbing up them or snowboarding down them, until I took up running, after a serious on-duty injury, to disprove the ‘shouldn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t’ attitudes I found many people have. Discovering the fun in exploring places and getting to know them by traveling through them on foot has got me into some interesting events in the past; multi-day mountain marathons and ultras, long distance paths and national trail traverses, 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall, Welsh 3000 and completing the MDS in 2010. Next up Beacons Ultra and a return to the MDS.

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