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Nearly twelve months have passed since I dipped my left foot into the sea at Weston to finish "A Little Quest". I look back on the first week in June last year with pride - it was a fantastic week. My recollection of the physcial aches and pains of the challenge has faded with time. What remains is the memory of support from friends and family and the surreal buzz/sense of achievement/relief/exhilaration of having completed such a daunting challenge and raised an amazing amount of money for a worthy cause. I am delighted (and overwhelmed) to confirm that "A Little Quest" raised £12,029.27 for Brain Tumour UK. Thanks to everyone who contributed to "A Little Quest" - I am incredibly grateful and thrilled that we have managed to raise such a substantial amount of money for a charity so close to our hearts.
Craig - you are an amazing person; committed, determined and so generous, both with your time and energy - what you have achieved is incredible. It has been an honour and pleasure to be your contact with Brain Tumour UK and I'd work with you again on another project at the drop of a hat. It has been a wonderful experience for me to meet the girls who were your support crew, the other runners who joined you en route and the crowd who came to see the finish - the level of support I have seen for you speaks volumes. I have had great fun working with you and I am really going to miss it! Thank you from all at Brain Tumour UK - both for doing so much to raise awareness and for generating such a fantastic sum to help us with our work - we really appreciate it. Take it easy, enjoy the summer and I hope we stay in touch (well, I'll definitely see you in December for the end of John's challenge, won't I?!)
This blog from yesterday just made me blub! What an amazing adventure - def not a little quest at all, more like a flippin' mammoth one! Tuesday night with you guys seems ages ago now and to think you were still running every day since then...i'm speechless! Look forward to seeing you and Gem v v soon dude. In your words, roll on the 'fat' summer! Knowing that you have made such an incredible difference and given so much to Brain Tumour UK x x x x x
Stunning achievement. We can only try to impagine the effort and sheer willpower it has taken to get through this challenge - especially the last couple of days. It was great to get to know you during the venture and to be able to be a small part of it. Of course, they say you shouldn't stop running straight away since you're body has got used to it so if you need any other challenges I know someone who could provide some for you :-).......
Part 2 of Day 6: And so to the final stats: 184.16 miles run in 29 hours and 16 minutes. Averages - 30.69 miles per day, 9.54 minutes per mile. Unbelievable.
There are so many thoughts still swirling round my head about this wonderful adventure. I am so grateful to all those who have given up their time to support me this week. As I?ve said in other blogs, I owe everything to Gemma and my wonderful family and friends for their support and encouragement. Knowing that today has made you all so proud is the best feeling in the world.
The fundraising target is well over £8,000 and there is loads of money collected but not yet counted. I?m confident this will push us passed the £10,000 target, which would be the perfect ending to ?A Little Quest?. I?ve also got loads of photos to add to the website. For now though, I?m going to go and enjoy a few beers with the family.
C
There are so many thoughts still swirling round my head about this wonderful adventure. I am so grateful to all those who have given up their time to support me this week. As I?ve said in other blogs, I owe everything to Gemma and my wonderful family and friends for their support and encouragement. Knowing that today has made you all so proud is the best feeling in the world.
The fundraising target is well over £8,000 and there is loads of money collected but not yet counted. I?m confident this will push us passed the £10,000 target, which would be the perfect ending to ?A Little Quest?. I?ve also got loads of photos to add to the website. For now though, I?m going to go and enjoy a few beers with the family.
C
Day 6 (05/06/2010): I?m in a state of shock/disbelief at what has been achieved this week. I am delighted to say that ?A Little Quest? was completed this afternoon after 28.96 miles today, run in 4 hours 42 minutes. Just the 3888 calories, thank goodness in milder weather than the last couple of days. I have to start with a huge thank you to everyone that came to Weston for the finish - the thought of seeing you all really kept me going for the last few miles. I am truly touched that you all took time out of your weekends to welcome me home.
This morning started in Wick, east of Bristol. Having blocked his drive, a local resident came out, we got talking and before I knew it I was peeing in his bathroom (as did the other runners) and talking to his wife in their kitchen! Amazing generosity and thank you for the donation. Mike Strathdee, Peter Kellett, Daniel Gowler and I set off just before 10. The climb into Bristol through Kingswood was really challenging but thankfully my legs were fairly loose and I managed to attack the hills with success. After about 4 miles we were joined by Beth Evans, who ran with us through Bristol to Bedminster. I felt brilliant at this point - I was running in the middle of a crowd of 4 others, such a huge difference to the desperate isolation of yesterday! We said goodbye to Beth at Bedminster and Pete, Mike, Dan and I strolled on up to the 10 mile pit stop. I was beginning to feel tired at 10 miles and was pleased to see the support crew for a drink and a bit of a rest. After saying goodbye to Pete and Mike (what a fantastic first leg, both thoroughly decent men) Dan and I ran on with David Hutton and Michelle Guthrie. The weeks been full of highs and lows and I knew the next 10 miles would feature both. The first 2-3 miles were fine, the next 7 were horrendous. Part of that involved climbing up from Bristol to near Bristol Airport - how hilly is that?! Why have I not realised how steep the hill to the airport is?! Aside from the hill, at 15 miles my body finally said ?sorry Craig, we?ve brought you this far, you?re on your own now? - I felt a sharp pain in my right ankle and from that moment on it got more and more painful with each step. The legs had gone 15 miles from home - I wasn?t overly fussed to be honest. I was pleased that my body had made it 165 miles before packing in and I knew at some point willpower would have to take over. The 20 mile point was heaven - I hobbled in, sat down on the car boot and the support crew strapped up the right ankle. It was lovely to get the weight off it for a bit. As well as the welcome food, drink etc, it was fantastic to see my Uncle Ray and my cousins Andrew and Peter and their wives. Thank you so much for coming to find me guys and for cheering me home - great to see you and, Ray, I was so pleased to see you looking so well.
10 miles to Weston and Dan and I were joined by Christian (Debbie Platt?s other half) and Simon Lindsay. I have to offer an apology to these guys as I wasn?t overly talkative in the last 10 miles. The willpower was running out of juice so the headphones went in around the 23 mile point for a bit of a lift. Luckily, Dan reined me back in when I started to get a bit carried away - some songs were more uplifting than others! Crossing the M5 was a defining moment, it felt like we were nearly there. Unfortunately, there was still 4 miles to go and despite my attempts to pick the pace up my ankle gave way completely. With 3 miles to go I felt as though I was dragging my right leg.
I?ve thought about the last few hundred metres quite a lot this afternoon. I cannot explain or comprehend how, but as we turned left along the road running parallel to the beach the pain in my ankle momentarily subsided and I began to run quicker than I?d run all day. All week I?d pictured the finish, each time there were tears flooding down my face as I made it onto the beach. There were no tears in the real thing, just shear grit to get my foot wet in sea water for the first time since Monday morning. As I ran through the crowds, the waving and the cheers, I was joined by my sister, Helen, Gemma and her two sisters, Abby and Sophie, for the final few metres to the water. The perfect finish.
My boss Martin promised me a bottle of beer at the finish - he didn?t disappoint. It was delicious! I tried to do the 5km fun run - tried for the first 5 metres but my ankle really wasn?t playing anymore and having touched the sea, neither was my willpower. ?A Little Quest? had been accomplished. Thank you Ramona and Ed and Penny for doing the fun run with the girls...
This morning started in Wick, east of Bristol. Having blocked his drive, a local resident came out, we got talking and before I knew it I was peeing in his bathroom (as did the other runners) and talking to his wife in their kitchen! Amazing generosity and thank you for the donation. Mike Strathdee, Peter Kellett, Daniel Gowler and I set off just before 10. The climb into Bristol through Kingswood was really challenging but thankfully my legs were fairly loose and I managed to attack the hills with success. After about 4 miles we were joined by Beth Evans, who ran with us through Bristol to Bedminster. I felt brilliant at this point - I was running in the middle of a crowd of 4 others, such a huge difference to the desperate isolation of yesterday! We said goodbye to Beth at Bedminster and Pete, Mike, Dan and I strolled on up to the 10 mile pit stop. I was beginning to feel tired at 10 miles and was pleased to see the support crew for a drink and a bit of a rest. After saying goodbye to Pete and Mike (what a fantastic first leg, both thoroughly decent men) Dan and I ran on with David Hutton and Michelle Guthrie. The weeks been full of highs and lows and I knew the next 10 miles would feature both. The first 2-3 miles were fine, the next 7 were horrendous. Part of that involved climbing up from Bristol to near Bristol Airport - how hilly is that?! Why have I not realised how steep the hill to the airport is?! Aside from the hill, at 15 miles my body finally said ?sorry Craig, we?ve brought you this far, you?re on your own now? - I felt a sharp pain in my right ankle and from that moment on it got more and more painful with each step. The legs had gone 15 miles from home - I wasn?t overly fussed to be honest. I was pleased that my body had made it 165 miles before packing in and I knew at some point willpower would have to take over. The 20 mile point was heaven - I hobbled in, sat down on the car boot and the support crew strapped up the right ankle. It was lovely to get the weight off it for a bit. As well as the welcome food, drink etc, it was fantastic to see my Uncle Ray and my cousins Andrew and Peter and their wives. Thank you so much for coming to find me guys and for cheering me home - great to see you and, Ray, I was so pleased to see you looking so well.
10 miles to Weston and Dan and I were joined by Christian (Debbie Platt?s other half) and Simon Lindsay. I have to offer an apology to these guys as I wasn?t overly talkative in the last 10 miles. The willpower was running out of juice so the headphones went in around the 23 mile point for a bit of a lift. Luckily, Dan reined me back in when I started to get a bit carried away - some songs were more uplifting than others! Crossing the M5 was a defining moment, it felt like we were nearly there. Unfortunately, there was still 4 miles to go and despite my attempts to pick the pace up my ankle gave way completely. With 3 miles to go I felt as though I was dragging my right leg.
I?ve thought about the last few hundred metres quite a lot this afternoon. I cannot explain or comprehend how, but as we turned left along the road running parallel to the beach the pain in my ankle momentarily subsided and I began to run quicker than I?d run all day. All week I?d pictured the finish, each time there were tears flooding down my face as I made it onto the beach. There were no tears in the real thing, just shear grit to get my foot wet in sea water for the first time since Monday morning. As I ran through the crowds, the waving and the cheers, I was joined by my sister, Helen, Gemma and her two sisters, Abby and Sophie, for the final few metres to the water. The perfect finish.
My boss Martin promised me a bottle of beer at the finish - he didn?t disappoint. It was delicious! I tried to do the 5km fun run - tried for the first 5 metres but my ankle really wasn?t playing anymore and having touched the sea, neither was my willpower. ?A Little Quest? had been accomplished. Thank you Ramona and Ed and Penny for doing the fun run with the girls...
Hang on in there Craig. You are doing so well and we are so proud of you! Only one more day to go! X
Day 5 (04/06/2010): The toughest day of my life. I woke this morning feeling sick and exhausted due to what I assume was my body screaming at me ?don?t you dare do that again?! No choice this week I?m afraid. The drive to the start at Marlborough College was a sobering experience - we drove along the path I would be running along, the hills were petrifying. That said, for the first 10 miles, the heat was fairly mild and the legs were feeling alright. I met the girls at the café off the A4 in Cherhill (thanks for your support guys) with no complaints. Sophie joined me for the short journey into Calne, then Abby took over and ran with me to Chippenham. By the time we reached the support crew on the outskirts of Chippenham, I was worried and slightly in trouble. Despite a cold flannel draped over my neck and constantly taking on fluid, I was baking!
The next 10 miles out through Chippenham and onto the A420 were excruciating. My legs were beginning to pack in and the heat was playing on my mind. When I finally made it to the Rose & Crown on the A420 where the girls were stationed (I saw a pint of lager in one support crew member?s hand - how tempting) I was feeling faint and I obviously looked as bad as I felt. The girls immediately put me in the shade, force fed me pasta and icy water and enforced a mandatory 10 minute stop. I put up no fight whatsoever.
There have been highs and lows this week. Miles 20 to 32 were desperately low. I was chugging along the A420 (a hideously boring road) directly into traffic with nothing to think about except (a) whether I was going to pass out; and (b) how the hell my legs were still carrying me forward. It was as near to an out of body experience as I?ve ever had. The last 0.7 miles makes the top 3 for the highest high of the week. I have no qualms admitting that I was running into Wick with tears streaking down my cheeks. Reaching the traffic lights (the finish) was like heaven. I threw my bag, hat and flannel away from me, put my head on Gem?s shoulder and let out a few tears of shear relief - I?ve made it to the final day.
I owe everything to the support crew today. Gem, Pauline, Sophie, Abby and Helen were fantastic. If it wasn?t for their encouragement and stern words regarding drinks, food and rest I?d have ended up in a heap next to the roadkill on the A420 (if I made it that far). They?ve also been out of this world this evening helping me to recover as much as possible - massages, drinks, food have all been in ample supply.
To the stats for today: 32.7 miles, 5 hours 19 minutes, averaging 9 min 45 secs per mile, burning 4298 calories. Total distance for the week is 155.2 miles in 24 hours 39 minutes. The fundraising total stands at £8.034 (exc gift aid) - remarkable, I?m gobsmacked.
Can?t wait to see the BB crew tomorrow and to run with Daniel Gowler who has very kindly agreed to keep me company during the whole day. No pressure guys but I?m hoping you?ll keep my mind off the pain!
30 miles to Weston.
C
The next 10 miles out through Chippenham and onto the A420 were excruciating. My legs were beginning to pack in and the heat was playing on my mind. When I finally made it to the Rose & Crown on the A420 where the girls were stationed (I saw a pint of lager in one support crew member?s hand - how tempting) I was feeling faint and I obviously looked as bad as I felt. The girls immediately put me in the shade, force fed me pasta and icy water and enforced a mandatory 10 minute stop. I put up no fight whatsoever.
There have been highs and lows this week. Miles 20 to 32 were desperately low. I was chugging along the A420 (a hideously boring road) directly into traffic with nothing to think about except (a) whether I was going to pass out; and (b) how the hell my legs were still carrying me forward. It was as near to an out of body experience as I?ve ever had. The last 0.7 miles makes the top 3 for the highest high of the week. I have no qualms admitting that I was running into Wick with tears streaking down my cheeks. Reaching the traffic lights (the finish) was like heaven. I threw my bag, hat and flannel away from me, put my head on Gem?s shoulder and let out a few tears of shear relief - I?ve made it to the final day.
I owe everything to the support crew today. Gem, Pauline, Sophie, Abby and Helen were fantastic. If it wasn?t for their encouragement and stern words regarding drinks, food and rest I?d have ended up in a heap next to the roadkill on the A420 (if I made it that far). They?ve also been out of this world this evening helping me to recover as much as possible - massages, drinks, food have all been in ample supply.
To the stats for today: 32.7 miles, 5 hours 19 minutes, averaging 9 min 45 secs per mile, burning 4298 calories. Total distance for the week is 155.2 miles in 24 hours 39 minutes. The fundraising total stands at £8.034 (exc gift aid) - remarkable, I?m gobsmacked.
Can?t wait to see the BB crew tomorrow and to run with Daniel Gowler who has very kindly agreed to keep me company during the whole day. No pressure guys but I?m hoping you?ll keep my mind off the pain!
30 miles to Weston.
C
Hey Craig, I am feeling your pain reading your blog but you are doing some awesome running! It is really hot out there but just think how refreshing a dip at Weston will be! Keep it up. Hoping the legs hold up and there's a big cloud just over your head to provide you with some shade today. The relay team are ready to meet you all along the final stretch so you'll be distracted all the way in. See you tomorrow. Debs
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