Couldn’t run tonight as I had to take the boys to the local res to go sailing with the cub scouts.
They got wet and cold and loved every minute.
I went out on a safety boat to get some pictures and it brought back scary memories of last week - at least I could see dry land!
Well I’m back at home after our epic adventure.
What a week that’s been.
After our very quick start, we had a major problem in the Irish sea at 1.30am Monday morning when we blew out 2 sails - (the main and the kite for any sailors out there). The kite went under the boat and the sailors had to recover it in a big big sea - those are brave lads who really worked their butts off for us runners.
This lost us a lot of time but we eventually got to Fort William and Rob and I ran the Ben to bring the team home in 9th overall. We were a little dissappointed after our ’storming’ start but after a beer or two we all agreed that as it was a first time out for all of us a top ten finish in one of the toughest adventure races in the UK is not too bad!
I’m now very tired and very smelly so it’s in the bath and then off to bed.
More soon…..
This is mental torture - only a few miles from Fort William but not a breath of wind - sailors are wrecked, no sleep for 35 hours - We just want to get to get off and on the hill.
Wow just finished a 45 mile brutal leg over blacksail pass then scafell and back to Whitehaven - now totally wrecked but just had chilli and bread for breccie so will hopefully feel better soon - just big ben to go now
Hi guys, just back from Snowdon - 24 miles in 4 1/2 hours - not bad on no sleep, 1 bag of crisps and half a malt loaf! Going to try and get some sleep now.
Oh boy, been sick as a very sick dog. Sea was very rough for the first four hours. Calm now and im feeling better. Rob and I are below resting, going up Snowdon in 3 hours. Lying in 4th place.
Update 14:24pm 28/06/2008
Now the fun begins - we are on the boat waiting until 3 2when we go to the start - weather grey but good - wind blowing - sea looks grim and big!
Update :20:50 27/006/2008
So we are in Barmouth - weather rough - boat came through force 8’s just to get here - just about to go out to the boat to sleep - tomorrow will be a big day
This year for the first time, my running partner Robin Lawrence (Bingley Harriers) and myself are competing in the Powerbar 3 Peaks Yacht Race - starts 4pm Saturday 28th June.
The usual response I get from people when I say this is - “what!?”
Well, it’s a very unusual race where teams of 5 sail from Barmouth in Wales to Fort William in Scotland via Whitehaven in England stopping off to let two of the team run up and down the 3 highest mountains in Britain. Those who successfully reach the finish will have sailed 389 nautical miles, risking sandbanks, rocks and fierce tides. The 3 sailors aboard will get little rest as the race is continuous, and the 2 runners in the team must complete 72 miles and 14,000 feet of climbing to reach the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. No easy task when you may have to run at night, unsteady on your feet due to seasickness.
Robin and I have prepared well and are not too concerned by the land sections. However, as neither of us has any real experience of sailing, we are somewhat concerned about our sealegs…..we’ve been advised to focus on the horizon and drink orange juice as it tastes the same when it returns as it does when you drink it!!!
Robin and I are running for team Still Smiling (whether we will be after Ben Nevis - only time will tell) and the sailors (one of whom owns the boat) are very confident we can finish well up the field.
The race website www.3peaksyachtrace.co.uk has profiles on all the competing teams and there will be daily coverage, picture galleries and a race ‘leaderboard’ throughout race week on the adventure racing website www.sleepmonsters.co.uk. Positions at sea will also be tracked by satellite via the website.
Our thanks go out to our kit sponsors, www.hummel.dk, www.Inov-8.com and www.sportsshoes.com (follow my blog - see home page) who between them have made us look like pros - all we need to do now is run well so we’re not accused of having “all the gear but no idea!”.
Well the resting and carbo loading’s in full swing!! Not run a step since Saturday and just finished a massive meal of fish and chips followed by a big bowl of shreddies - mmmm nice. Now just testing out some chocolate raisins - one of my secret weapons for next week.
Will go for a little trot in the morning and then for a bike ride in the evening with my son. Think that’ll be it then until the race.
Only 4 days to go now - the physical prep is done, mentally I’m in the zone - just a few last minute logistic issues to sort and then we’ll be off.
I’m really looking forward to getting to Barmouth, meeting up with the crew and getting on the boat that will be my home for 3 - 6 days.
The gun goes at 4pm on Saturday afternoon and it should be around midnight when my teammate Robin and I walk the plank at Caernarfon to start our run up Snowdon.
Hopefully through the wonders of modern technology (i.e. texts) I’ll send in a few live updates as the race progresses (assuming my phone stays dry and I can stop hurling for long enough to press the keys).
Loading ...