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Community Forums => The Lounge => Topic started by: Rooky9 on March 27, 2009, 09:24:43 PM



Title: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on March 27, 2009, 09:24:43 PM
REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read

The What, Why, Who, When & How

What?!
The title sets out the reasoning. I'm looking to raise money from blonde members, in the form of sponsorship for completing a 130 mile run/walk from Liverpool to Leeds. All fund raised will go directly to Reece and his family to go towards a holiday for him, and them.  The 4 day run/walk will follow the route of the Leeds Liverpool canal, which takes me right from Liverpool (including the newly build section in front of the Liver building etc, right through to where I live, in, er, Leeds - clever naming conventions back then see.

Why?
I really struggle to put into words what I mean when I say this, I hope that it makes sense to you. Basically I kind of feel inspired by the lad. Sometimes I get down about my life, which I have no problems in, and then I read one of Maureens updates about how Reece and his character are battling through all he has to deal with, and with a smile and a sense of humour to boot. That alone makes me slap myself round the face and sets me straight.

Also, after seeing first hand how difficult for families who care for dependants (which can be children of parents/grandparents) I understand far more of the emotional stress that it causes. Then there is the financial side as well.

Who?
Me. Go by the Blonde name of Rooky9 and have done since 2005 (i think, someone might be able to confirm?!), after being introduced by a mate. These days I tend to keep myself to the sports board, moaning about the fortunes (or lack of) of following my football team, but I do try to get out of there occasionally and view most boards. Reece's update thread being one of the first that I look out for.  As far as I know, apart from the odd little spat, I haven't upset too many people!

I'm doing this alone. To be honest, other than the fact that its going to be shear hell I think, I think it'll be easier on my own because I can go at my own pace. I'm doing 38 miles on day 1 so I will be free to do a couple of hours running, some walking, some more walking then some running then a climb up the Wigan flight before bed!

When?
This is all scheduled in for the first weekend in May, train booked etc, though if it looks like ridiculous weather then I reserve the right to gamble and delay it one week! I'm hoping May is not going to have a big freeze so I cant see a reason for it not being on the four days of may 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th.

How?
How can you help? Well you can help by donating any amount of money that you can spare for this great 'cause'. I don't want to offend by referring to Reece as a cause but raising funds towards a holiday to give him a lift can only be a good thing. I think many blonde's read the Reece updates and get the same feeling as me, and I'm hoping that this will provide people with a focus to be able to show their generosity and well wishes to Reece and the family.

The how you can transfer/send sponsorship is not quite finalised. Basically I'm not going to turn down any method that people are willing to donate by, be that bank transfers directly to Reece or poker site transfers. Everything will be done transparently and honestly, I'll go to extreme lengths to ensure that.


Well that's the proposal. Any questions then please fire away, other than that, I hope you are able to support the idea and we can make a small difference to someone very special.

Thanks


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tikay on March 27, 2009, 09:37:01 PM

I can confirm that the Mods have "cleared" this.

Please support it - perhaps at "x" pence per mile.

You do not have to name the amount you wish to sponsor for, if you prefer, you can do that discretely, via PM.

It's a terrific gesture by Chris, aka "Rooky9", a long-term blonde.

I will set the ball rolling, with a donation, & I hope some of you will follow suit.

Reece is a very special lad, & the support you have always shown foir him means a grreat deal.

Thanks.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on March 27, 2009, 09:45:35 PM
Nice one Mr Rooky9 Sir!  ;hattip;

Put me down for 20p/mile.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on March 27, 2009, 09:58:48 PM
fair play and well done,,,...,i will sponsor when your all sorted with bank transfer.,.,.,.wdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdwdd beats my swim around cyprus...,.,


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on March 28, 2009, 10:45:09 AM
VWP...40p a mile from me if you finish within 4 days..20p a mile if you don't .....there's some motivation for ya :)


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: RED-DOG on March 28, 2009, 12:14:00 PM
Well done Mr Rooky sir. You are an absolute star and it will be my privelidge to support you.

Will PM you later today.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Kev B on March 28, 2009, 02:22:21 PM
Well done Rooky, count me in.   :respect: Will PM you. PS are you doing it in fancy dress?  ;hide;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on March 28, 2009, 06:22:17 PM
VWP...40p a mile from me if you finish within 4 days..20p a mile if you don't .....there's some motivation for ya :)

ill have some of this as well


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: mondatoo on March 29, 2009, 03:12:33 AM
What can you say don't come much better than us geordies   :D

Seriously tho great stuff rooky will defo sponser you will send you pm when i'm less intoxicated,nice one


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: MC on March 29, 2009, 01:21:38 PM
Crazy challenge, good on you dude...

PM on its way ;)


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on March 30, 2009, 05:24:51 PM
Thank you to those who have sponsored/donated so far. Much appreiated.

I'll keep this post updated with amounts so that there is full transparency over the funds. Some people have been in touch via pm, and I have replied to those people with a reference number. this will allow me to show them that their pledge is accounted for in the total whilst also allowing them to remain anon.

Nearer the time I will contact all those who have pledged money to let them know of the payment options so that they can select which is the most convenieant for them.

summary (I can't get a pound sign on my computer!)

Sponsor             Potential Donation                Conditions
technolog              26 pounds                           20p/mile
PM ref 1                50
PM ref 2                65                                      50p/mile
Boldie                    52                                      40p/mile if in 4 days (20p if more)
Cia260895              52                                     40p/mile if in 4 days (20p if more)
PM ref 3                20
PM ref 4                20                                      10 if I fall short of the chaalenge set out.
PM ref 5                65                                       50p for each mile completed.
PM ref 6                13                                       £1/ 10 miles
PM ref 7                15                                       £5 for first mile, £5 for getting half way, £5 for finishing
PM ref 8                20                                        Linked to potential winnings
PM ref 9                25
PM ref 10               52
PM ref 11               20
Additional 1             50
Additional 2             33
Additional 3             13
Additonal 4             20

Total                     611


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on March 30, 2009, 07:30:39 PM

summary (I can't get a pound sign on my computer!)


Hold down the 'Alt' key and type '0163' on the numeric keypad.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on March 30, 2009, 08:11:12 PM

summary (I can't get a pound sign on my computer!)


Hold down the 'Alt' key and type '0163' on the numeric keypad.

£

OMG. Legend!!!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on March 30, 2009, 09:52:02 PM
 ;hattip;

[ ] You're not wrong!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 04, 2009, 05:20:41 PM
Well I gave up my ticket for the Newcastle game (pre Shearer appointment) as I had the first real specific training session for this challenge scheduled in for today. 

I packed the backpack that I will be using on the challenge, two bottles of lucozade sport, a bag of haribo, my credit card, phone and a pair of tracksuit bottoms. Off I set for the short walk to Leeds station, a bargain £2.95 for a ticket to Bingley. The train took just 18 minutes. I didnt.

I've never been to Bingley before, and I didnt see too much of it on this trip. I found the canal from the station, well it is next to it, and made my way 'upstream' so I could have a gander at the 3 and 5 rise locks. The Leeds liverpool as a larger than normal amount of double treble and in this case a quintuple (okay I made that word up!) lock series. Unlike somewhere like Caen Hill locks, which is a flight of separate locks, these are all interconnected so are very steep.

I had started the forerunner when I got to the canal so I had clocked half a mile getting to the top lock of the 5 rise. I decided to round that to an even mile before starting any running, as a bit of a warm up. I had my running shorts, a long sleeve technical top and a running jacket. I only realised later on in the session that the jackets collar was preventing the shoulder strap from rubbing on my neck, but initially running with the bag was very strange. It wasnt particularly heavy but it was very different. 

I started running at the end of mile one, just at a pace I felt was comfortable, I kept checking the watch and this comfortable pace was around the 9 minute mile mark. I'd be more than happy with being able to run 26 9 minute miles (to given me a  sub 4 hour marathon in October) so for this challenge, for the running that I'll be doing I will be happy with anything between 9 and 10 minute miles for the running.

It was great running weather for the first hour or so. I ran from the end of mile one to mile 9 in 1h15m. This was fine, very comfortable with that distance, and at that pace, even with the bag I felt good. I had already thought to myself that I really want to test out the running and then walking and then running and then walking thing, so I had already made my mind up to stop after 8 miles of running.  The weather was getting a little warmer and so I was glad to take the chance to unzip the jacket and slow the pace. I can walk fairly comfortably at 13 to 14 minute miles, or at least I can for 45 minutes. I need to test out how I feel by doing a few hours walking next weekend. While walking I took the opportunity to have a bottle of drink and a decent chunk of Haribo. Haribo is my ultimate nemesis. I will never have a toned body because of my weakness for haribo! Anyway, that all settled well and I was into the 12th mile.

I took to making sure that the little white posts that mark out pretty much each and every mile and half mile along the canal were the correct distance apart. they were, or at least they agreed to my gps! They have a count on the mile ones showing distance to Leeds and Liverpool. I will look forward to seeing the Leeds number descend from 127 to 1.

I ran again for a couple of miles but by now I was feeling a little something in the muscles and it was getting warmer. I ran on. I could feel a blister developing in my blister spot on my right foot. I always get the there. I need to reinvest in some socks that will be up to this challenge and protect my foot. the last thing I want is to blister early on this as I find the sensation of running on blistered feet nauseating. Its like running on flesh rather than skin. yuck. Anyway I probably should have stopped and walked, because I dont really feel it when I walk. I ran through to the 14.5 mile mark, so a further 3 miles. i walked for a mile and then ran for the last two which takes me through Leeds back to my flat.

I didnt feel good. But 17.5 miles in 3hrs and a couple of minutes is very good pace. Probably too good. I'm looking to use between 8 and ten hours a day each day to get the required miles in. Basically I need to go a lot slower. I think the best way to do it will be to lower the running and increase the walking, perhaps even talking the opportunity to stroll for a mile or so. The canals are such interesting places, there is loads going on, even if there are no people around. I take my hat off to the engineers who built them, those who maintain them and I'm glad that these huge influences of the status of our country have been restored and can be enjoyed and used in a completely different way to how they were initially intended.

I have had a bit of a stretch, sat and saw the expected watching Jeff Stelling on SSN, and I am now going to replenish those 2,700 calories burnt. A takeaway pizza. Nice.

Thanks again to those that have sponsored. A few people sent me Pm's or have noted on the thread that they would like to sponsor. If you could get you drop me a note or post on the thread when you wish to make your pledge I'll keep the table a couple of posts up up to date.

So my feelings now. Well this is going to be very tough, tougher than I initially expected. I suppose I didnt really look past it all just being written down on paper! I'm looking forward to it though!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on April 04, 2009, 07:38:46 PM
WOW am glad yr doing it not me,I saw some sox somewhere that are diesigned for running,i think to help with blisters,will try to remeber where i saw them..

keep it up

something like these http://www.sportsaver.co.uk/acatalog/Compression_Socks.html (http://www.sportsaver.co.uk/acatalog/Compression_Socks.html)


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 08, 2009, 09:07:20 PM
WOW am glad yr doing it not me,I saw some sox somewhere that are diesigned for running,i think to help with blisters,will try to remeber where i saw them..

keep it up

something like these http://www.sportsaver.co.uk/acatalog/Compression_Socks.html (http://www.sportsaver.co.uk/acatalog/Compression_Socks.html)

I have gone for some '1000 mile fusion socks'. They do feel amazing! I'm going to try and let the blister I have fully heal before doing too much heavy stuff on it. I can still do squats and core work over the next week which should be fine. This will test my muscle strength rather than cardio so not doing usual runs shouldnt matter too much.

I plan to have a big training session a week on Saturday, then virtually two full weeks of rest before the challenge in the first weekend of May!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tikay on April 09, 2009, 12:30:02 AM

Good Luck with this Rooky. It's a wonderful thing you are doing for young Reece.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on April 09, 2009, 09:17:51 AM

Good Luck with this Rooky. It's a wonderful thing you are doing for young Reece.

hope the socks work,if they don't then don't blame me :)up


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 13, 2009, 04:30:09 PM
The socks seem to do the trick. I did some diy chiropody on the last blister and it seems to be healing well. Just did a ten mile route yesterday, I want to make sure the foot is 100% ahead of next weekends full length practice session. I think I'm going to get the train up to Skipton and walk back down the canal to Leeds. Doing that will mean that By the time of the last day of the challenge it will be the third time I have done the Bingley to Leeds bit, but I cant see a better option for getting the mileage age on a suitable surface and with such good point to point attributes.

I saw a freiend in the pub last night who did a charity walk from Billingham to Sunderland a year or so ago, its about 36 miles so similar distances to my daily volume. Took them 11 hours and although the hip flexer prevented them being able to get up kerbs forward apparently the burning sensation only keeps you up for spells during the night!

I'm still confident. I'll know more about how confident I should be next sunday. After the 30 odd mile practice during saturday I'm supposed to be attending a stag do on the ottley run on the night! Should be interesting. I'll be taxi'ing between the pubs I reckon.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on April 18, 2009, 06:25:13 AM
bump


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 18, 2009, 05:45:20 PM
When I get out this bath, in about two hours, I will attempt to explain my distress at discovering another reason that being 6ft 4 is crap.

30.5miles in the tank. I'm not in a good way at the mo!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 18, 2009, 05:46:26 PM
When I get out this bath, in about two hours, I will attempt to explain my distress at discovering another reason that being 6ft 4 is crap.


lol...can't wait to hear this :)


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 18, 2009, 07:02:18 PM
When I get out this bath, in about two hours, I will attempt to explain my distress at discovering another reason that being 6ft 4 is crap.


lol...can't wait to hear this :)

Sorry to disappoint, its not even that interesting, was just in a bad place at the time! I do need to work on expectation management.

Basically I'm not happy that bath's seem to come in a standard size that isnt big enough for me to be able to cover all of my body up to my neck. I either have to choose to have the legs all in, in which case I'm in a sitting position with most my upper body out of the water, or have my legs bent at the knees to get my upper body in. Crazy. I really needed an all over soak to ease my pain. I'm going back for another one after I have ruined this domino's pizza.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 18, 2009, 07:14:39 PM
When I get out this bath, in about two hours, I will attempt to explain my distress at discovering another reason that being 6ft 4 is crap.


lol...can't wait to hear this :)

Sorry to disappoint, its not even that interesting, was just in a bad place at the time! I do need to work on expectation management.

Basically I'm not happy that bath's seem to come in a standard size that isnt big enough for me to be able to cover all of my body up to my neck. I either have to choose to have the legs all in, in which case I'm in a sitting position with most my upper body out of the water, or have my legs bent at the knees to get my upper body in. Crazy. I really needed an all over soak to ease my pain. I'm going back for another one after I have ruined this domino's pizza.

True bath sizes, or bed sizes for that matter, are a bit of a bastard when you're normal sized (6" and over.anything less is freakishly short for a man IMO)...We had to get a super kingsize just so I could fit in a bed FFS!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: barhell on April 18, 2009, 08:36:40 PM
When I get out this bath, in about two hours, I will attempt to explain my distress at discovering another reason that being 6ft 4 is crap.


lol...can't wait to hear this :)

Sorry to disappoint, its not even that interesting, was just in a bad place at the time! I do need to work on expectation management.

Basically I'm not happy that bath's seem to come in a standard size that isnt big enough for me to be able to cover all of my body up to my neck. I either have to choose to have the legs all in, in which case I'm in a sitting position with most my upper body out of the water, or have my legs bent at the knees to get my upper body in. Crazy. I really needed an all over soak to ease my pain. I'm going back for another one after I have ruined this domino's pizza.

True bath sizes, or bed sizes for that matter, are a bit of a bastard when you're normal sized (6" and over.anything less is freakishly short for a man IMO)...We had to get a super kingsize just so I could fit in a bed FFS!

Super kingsize with a tempur memory foam matress for FTW


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 18, 2009, 11:20:38 PM
Might have to try sleeping tablets on the challenge. I know they aren't a good form of sleep but must be better than being kept awake by throbbing muscles (my leg muscles) and aching joints (knees and ankles).

Low point.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 19, 2009, 09:16:32 AM
So yesterday was the first (and last) full training 'run'. I planned to get the 8.19 train to Skipton but when I got up the F1 qualifying was on so I ended up on the 8.56. I was a bit upset to find that while it costs 2.95 to get to Bingley it costs 7.50 to get to Skipton, which is clear diseconomies of scale! Anyway, got up to skipton at about 9.45 and set off on the route back to Leeds.

I havent done the Skipton to Bingley section before, so a combination of having new stuff to look at and being relatively fresh meant that the first two hours flew by. I did 8 miles in the first two hours before taking a 5 minute break for a banana and a drink. Actually I had mistimed the drinking before I started as I had to go to the toilet twice within the first couple of miles - luckily this stretch was very quiet!

Just under two hours later I made it to Bingley 5 rise, which has a cafe. I stopped for about 20 minutes to woof down a nice tuna sandwich and salad then set back off down the stretch I have done before. A bag of Haribo fangtastic probably wasnt needed straight after the sandwich, but was consumed anyway!

It was a conscious decision to walk as much as possible on this session, I really wanted to see how much I could do, so I know what I can fall back on during the challenge. As it turns out after another couple of hours I was really tired of walking, mainly in the ankles, and a little bit in the knees. At 22.5  miles I could take no more of walking, so I had a 30 second stretch and set off for a bit of running. After 3 miles running, at about 8.5 min miles my left big toe really started hurting, felt like it was swelling and about to burst. I needed another toilet stop anyway so I decided to stop, do that, and see how the toe felt. It wasnt hurting so I set off again walking for a bit. It was a pretty hot day yesterday so the running had induced a bit of sweat!

with two miles left to go I decided I'd run that bit, though to be fair that was mainly because I wanted to make the kick off of the FA cup game. I did, and I was absolutely knackered. If at any time I have been under the impression that I could complete this challenge by just putting the hours in and walking it all, rather than running and walking, then this has put me in my place. Yesterday I averaged 4 miles an hour from start to finish, so I'm really pleased with that given the breaks for lunch etc. The down side is that this session was only longer than one of my planned four for the challenge.

This morning my ankles are sore and my hamstrings feekl very very tight. I'm going to go for a bit of a trot later to loosen and stretch them. I'm trying not to think about the fact that during the challenge I would be doing another 30+ miles on them today!

Challenges are not supposed to be easy I guess, and the difficulty of this is certainly not lost on me now!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 19, 2009, 10:55:02 AM
impressive IMO..you're a sick man.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on April 19, 2009, 08:59:09 PM
Gr8 going rooky

sounds painful though

 :respect:



Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 19, 2009, 10:25:15 PM
It was only this afternoon, when I inspected my feet (as I'm sure most people like to do on a Sunday afternoon), that I realised the toe throbbing/feeling like it was going to explode was a blister just to the left of the nail, quite big covering down the side betweem the toes. I'm going to be investing in plenty of blister tape (apparently there is such a thing!) and will be taping toes. The socks seem to have done the job on the sole rubbing.

I'm really stiff today, but it does ease off with movement. Hopefully this practice run has shocked the muscles so that next time they will recover quickly. I'll probably do a 9 mile run next weekend and pretty much nothing else before May 2nd.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: 12barblues on April 19, 2009, 10:48:38 PM
'Compeed'  ftw - saved my blistered feet in ultra-marathons more times than I care to remember.  You would be mad not to have this, or something similar, in your backpack.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 28, 2009, 10:29:35 PM
Pretty much all ready to go!!!!

Train ticket bought and received.
Liquids and sweets bought.
Hotels booked.
£30 worth of tape etc purchased.
Detailed schedule of the four days distances, lunch stops, rests etc 'designed'.

I'll be eating loads this week. I'm pretty sure it isn't possible to store enough carbs for four days, but I'll give it a shot!! Protein shakes might be needed where possible to help the muscles recover over nights. That and long baths and lots of stretches I guess. If anyone has advice on that part I'd welcome it. Not ice baths though!

Thanks to all those who have pledged so far. I appreciate that times aren't great and that my timing isn't either, being so close to Kev's event - however I am hoping to get a bit more in. This is potentially going to be the most demanding thing I have ever done, and perhaps may ever do. Please please please, if you can spare any small amount either post on here or drop me a PM. It will all help my motivation and help me complete this challenge on time.

In terms of the actual payment, as opposed to the pledging only that I am asking for at the moment. This will be done once I have actually completed the challenge - this is for two reasons. Firstly people need to know that I have done it before paying (or those who have a mileage sponsor how many miles done) and secondly help clear through the donations going into Reece's account at the moment so that Kev knows that all his sponsors have paid for his hosing!

Just the small matter now of actually covering the 130 miles.

Thanks again.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on April 28, 2009, 10:37:14 PM
xx


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tikay on April 28, 2009, 11:05:47 PM

Top Man Rooky. Thank you, & Good Luck.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on April 29, 2009, 12:42:10 PM

This is potentially going to be the most demanding thing I have ever done, and perhaps may ever do.


You're not married are you?


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: GreekStein on April 29, 2009, 12:58:22 PM
How tall are you Boldie?


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 29, 2009, 01:01:36 PM
How tall are you Boldie?

strange thing to ask here...but OK... about 6"4 mate.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: GreekStein on April 29, 2009, 01:45:08 PM
How tall are you Boldie?

strange thing to ask here...but OK... about 6"4 mate.

I'm a strange bloke mate! (p.s no need to show off though)

Just caught up with the thread and you and Rooky were talking about the problems of being tall...baths..beds etc and Kin always said you were a dwarf so needed it clearing up!

Good effort with this Rooky!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: TheChipPrince on April 29, 2009, 02:14:35 PM
Kin always said you were a dwarf

Gullabulaments!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: kinboshi on April 29, 2009, 02:22:09 PM
Kin always said you were a dwarf

Gullabulaments!

The German, hippy midget causing trouble again?

Rooky - best of luck with this - and I'll return the favour of a donation :)up


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: TheChipPrince on April 29, 2009, 02:28:26 PM
More importantly Boshi, how long have you been 'red'?!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: kinboshi on April 29, 2009, 02:35:37 PM
More importantly Boshi, how long have you been 'red'?!

A few days.  But I've always been a Red.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 29, 2009, 03:47:41 PM
How tall are you Boldie?

strange thing to ask here...but OK... about 6"4 mate.

I'm a strange bloke mate! (p.s no need to show off though)

Just caught up with the thread and you and Rooky were talking about the problems of being tall...baths..beds etc and Kin always said you were a dwarf so needed it clearing up!

Good effort with this Rooky!

Ah yes..best advice anyone ever gave me; "Don't believe Kinboshi, he is evil."


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: GreekStein on April 29, 2009, 03:55:49 PM
I know you two have plenty of bant so obv didn't do a dingdell and think omg Boldie is 3 foot 1 but thought possibility you could be short even though you don't look it from your avatar.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 29, 2009, 03:57:35 PM
I know you two have plenty of bant so obv didn't do a dingdell and think omg Boldie is 3 foot 1 but thought possibility you could be short even though you don't look it from your avatar.

My avatar is life size...well, my head really is that tiny...the rest is normal size.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: kinboshi on April 29, 2009, 03:58:17 PM
I know you two have plenty of bant so obv didn't do a dingdell and think omg Boldie is 3 foot 1 but thought possibility you could be short even though you don't look it from your avatar.

My avatar is life size...well, my head really is that tiny...the rest is normal size.

If being a fecking giant is normal.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on April 29, 2009, 04:04:41 PM
I know you two have plenty of bant so obv didn't do a dingdell and think omg Boldie is 3 foot 1 but thought possibility you could be short even though you don't look it from your avatar.

1. Oi - I never thought Boldie was a midget

2. Amazing effort Rooky - good luck with it all. xx


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 29, 2009, 04:36:50 PM
I know you two have plenty of bant so obv didn't do a dingdell and think omg Boldie is 3 foot 1 but thought possibility you could be short even though you don't look it from your avatar.

My avatar is life size...well, my head really is that tiny...the rest is normal size.

If being a fecking giant is normal.

I am normal size...British people are just freakishly short!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 29, 2009, 10:41:59 PM
Thank you to those who have sponsored/donated so far. Much appreiated. An updated table is shown below. I'm not a million miles away from the target I was thinking of at the start, and a few people have indicated they will sponsor in due course.

Made a couple of amendments to my schedule spreadsheet today, basically because I just like playing with spreadhseets and watching the knock on affect on all the little leg mileage/pace/predicted finish times etc! Still due back into Leeds at 5pm on Tuesday after starting at 9.30am on Saturday outside those 3 famousy building things on the mersey!


Sponsor             Potential Donation                Conditions
technolog              26 pounds                           20p/mile
PM ref 1                50
PM ref 2                65                                      50p/mile
Boldie                    52                                      40p/mile if in 4 days (20p if more)
Cia260895              52                                     40p/mile if in 4 days (20p if more)
PM ref 3                20
PM ref 4                20                                      10 if I fall short of the chaalenge set out.
PM ref 5                65                                       50p for each mile completed.
PM ref 6                13                                       £1/ 10 miles
PM ref 7                15                                       £5 for first mile, £5 for getting half way, £5 for finishing
PM ref 8                20                                        Linked to potential winnings
PM ref 9                25
PM ref 10               52
PM ref 11               20
Additional 1             50
Additional 2             33
Additional 3             13

Total                     591


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 29, 2009, 10:42:52 PM

This is potentially going to be the most demanding thing I have ever done, and perhaps may ever do.


You're not married are you?

 rotflmfao

Nope, I guess that statement could change in a few years.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: 12barblues on April 30, 2009, 02:31:56 PM

I'll be eating loads this week. I'm pretty sure it isn't possible to store enough carbs for four days, but I'll give it a shot!! Protein shakes might be needed where possible to help the muscles recover over nights. That and long baths and lots of stretches I guess.


From our exchange of PM's it's clear that you have the determination and sheer bloody-mindedness to see this through.  When fatigue strikes, welcome it as an old friend that will accompany you on your journey.  Don't fight it, just absorb it.  Remember it is speed that kills, not distance.  Provided you stay within your limits, you can keep going virtually forever.  A friend of mine ran 112 miles in 24 hours - a poor effort really, but he was over 70 at the time.......

'Listen to your body' is a hackneyed phrase but it is absolutely spot on.  If you get a niggle, stop and sort it out, particularly hot spots on the feet.  Bang on the Compeed at the first sign of trouble because blisters will stop you in your tracks faster than anything short of a broken leg. I ignored my own advice when I attempted to run the West Highland Way in under 24 hours and had a truly epic fail half way up Loch Lomond i.e. well before the halfway mark. The last mile took me well over an hour and the blisters covered the whole of both heels. This is A Bad Thing and is not recommended!

Stretching - gently, very gently - as a warm-up AND warm-down is essential to reduce injury risk.  The warm-up gets the muscles ready to do the day's business and the warm-down helps to shift the crud that accumulates in the muscle cells.

Expect your calorie intake to treble your norm as you reload the carbs each day.  Pasta, etc. ftw - steak in the evening and a full English breakfast are useless.  I find carbo drinks helpful when the thought of yet more bloody pasta makes me want to throw up.

Will you have a reception committee waiting for you in Leeds so that you can bask in well-deserved moral and physical superiority when you finish? 

Here endeth the first lesson.  This advice is probably worth exactly the amount you paid for it, and comes from a man who was once beaten in the London Marathon by some b****** dressed as an crocodile.

GOOD LUCK!!!





Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on April 30, 2009, 06:40:16 PM
We are hoping to be there along with Reece. Not too sure how to roughly time your arrival at the finish.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on April 30, 2009, 07:20:53 PM
You're a top man for doing this...GL!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: booder on April 30, 2009, 07:33:50 PM
Another great post from 12barblues , please post more Sir.


GL Rooky.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 30, 2009, 10:06:07 PM
We are hoping to be there along with Reece. Not too sure how to roughly time your arrival at the finish.

Being the slightly Uncle Bryn type that I am I have a spreadhseet schedule that pretty much covers my movements to the minute for the whole weekend! Obviously this may well change quite signifcantly depending how the muscles react, but it currently has me scheduled to be back in Leeds (near the Royal Armouries/Clarence dock/the white footbridge over the river) at 5pm on Tuesday.

I dont want to put people out and have them travel over to see me finish, but I'm not going to say no to anyone wanting to be a smiling face at the finish line and have a bit of a chat before I hobble off to my bath!

I will have my phone with me so I can post on here at lunch and mid afternoon to give a better idea if people do want to know.

I'm quite shy too though!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on April 30, 2009, 10:09:50 PM

Expect your calorie intake to treble your norm as you reload the carbs each day.  Pasta, etc. ftw - steak in the evening and a full English breakfast are useless.  I find carbo drinks helpful when the thought of yet more bloody pasta makes me want to throw up.



Absolutely devestated by this! So I should save my £7.50 on the Sunday morning in Wigan and Tuesday in Gargrave? Damn it, I was looking forward to justifying that!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: 12barblues on April 30, 2009, 10:41:30 PM
Well, you may have no choice.....so go for it and justify it on the grounds that psychological needs are as important as physical needs  ;)


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on April 30, 2009, 10:47:48 PM
We are hoping to be there along with Reece. Not too sure how to roughly time your arrival at the finish.

Being the slightly Uncle Bryn type that I am I have a spreadhseet schedule that pretty much covers my movements to the minute for the whole weekend! Obviously this may well change quite signifcantly depending how the muscles react, but it currently has me scheduled to be back in Leeds (near the Royal Armouries/Clarence dock/the white footbridge over the river) at 5pm on Tuesday.

I dont want to put people out and have them travel over to see me finish, but I'm not going to say no to anyone wanting to be a smiling face at the finish line and have a bit of a chat before I hobble off to my bath!

I will have my phone with me so I can post on here at lunch and mid afternoon to give a better idea if people do want to know.

I'm quite shy too though!


That's great. We will be loitering in Leeds then once I finish work.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: mondatoo on May 01, 2009, 01:32:23 AM
You're a top man for doing this...GL!

This + put me down for whatever a said earliar in the thread,if a didnt say an amount then just put me down for whateva the bold one is giving he seems keen :) vwp on doing this mate


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 01, 2009, 08:59:08 AM
this is some hard task imho,,,but im sure you will come through.,.,.gl and god speed,.,.,.,.,.,


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 01, 2009, 08:55:19 PM
All set. Off to bed for 9 hours sleep. I have the prospect of an all you can eat tea tomorrow night in Wigan. It does pasta, which is handy!



Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 01, 2009, 10:15:46 PM
GL Rooks, hope to see you along the way too.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: 12barblues on May 01, 2009, 11:56:06 PM


'Even the longest journey starts with a single step'....but don't forget to look around and enjoy the countryside, the relics of Victorian industrial history, etc.  One of the beauties of long distance stuff is that you see parts of the country  that most never get to see.

If (and it is still 'if') I can arrange to be there at the finish, I'll be the old man with grey hair and a tin of peaches for you to eat .  Believe me, peaches will never taste so good!  My PB at the end of an ultra is 1.83 seconds for a large tin, but a good man should beat that easily!  There's nothing like it for turning a shambling wreck into a (reasonably!) normal human being.

Sstttrrrreeettttccchhhhh, reload the carbs in the evening, enjoy the Full English in the mornings, ssttrrreeeetttcchhh again and we'll see you in Leeds.










Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on May 01, 2009, 11:59:19 PM
All the very best - great effort!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 02, 2009, 09:30:10 AM
hows he doing any live updates.,.,..,


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Gamblor21 on May 02, 2009, 10:09:44 AM
He's done a couple of miles and is on his way, alread had to water the plants a couple of times!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 02, 2009, 01:56:24 PM
iPhone updates ftw! I'd be lying if I said it was going as planned. I'm 11 minutes ahead of schedule but my left knee just started aching from no where about .2 of a mile before my lunch stop. My parents travelled across and have just paid for a refuelling at a pub in Maghull. Back en route now. Knee seems to be staying at the same level which will mean it will be fine.




Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 02, 2009, 02:57:22 PM
15% done. Feeling a lot better than earlier.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tikay on May 02, 2009, 02:59:24 PM

Pace yourself - nice & steady.

Proud of you.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 02, 2009, 03:44:36 PM
Your a star Chris.

Hope it is OK to txt you tomorrow to find a time and place that you will be, also what do you want us to bring, IE refueling? would love to have seen you set off but on lates today then rest day tomorrow back on earlies Monday. Would really like to cheer you on though at some convenient point for you.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: MC on May 02, 2009, 04:00:32 PM
All the very best - great effort!

GL mate!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 02, 2009, 05:34:06 PM
Why didn't I say I'd bike it?! 28.3 down potentially 10 more today. Only worry is the knee. It's fine when walking, it isn't when I stop and start again.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on May 02, 2009, 05:36:01 PM
Keep going!! So so impressed with this - anyone going to be able to take some photos?

 ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 02, 2009, 05:53:52 PM
I am taking my camera tomorrow so will post or send to Kin to post as soon as poss.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 02, 2009, 07:00:24 PM
keep going mate our thoughts are with you all the way..,.,,glglglglglglglggl....


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 02, 2009, 07:30:40 PM
Keep it up rooks step by step mile by mile blister by blister let the force be with you  ;starwars;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: 12barblues on May 02, 2009, 07:47:12 PM

Why didn't I say I'd bike it?! 28.3 down potentially 10 more today. Only worry is the knee. It's fine when walking, it isn't when I stop and start again.

Ibuprofen for the niggles, but be careful not to mask a real injury. 

And no beer (well...OK, not many) tonight as carbs are stored in the muscles in solution.  No point reloading and then peeing it all away.

Horrible game this, isn't it!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 02, 2009, 08:44:35 PM
38 miles down, 92 to go. Just got to hotel. Letting phone charge while I get some food. Will post a bit more info when I get back. Basically I'm tired!

I'll be calling on kin also to help get my forerunner screenshots on on Tuesday.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 02, 2009, 09:19:38 PM
well done mate.,.,.keep going..,.,.,it must be hard but keep thinking what you will achieve.,..,


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on May 02, 2009, 09:54:50 PM
Well done Rooky. Get those batteries re-charged.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 02, 2009, 09:55:05 PM
well done mate keep going it must be hard but keep thinking what you will achieve

this just without the.,.,.,.,.,  ;D


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 02, 2009, 10:11:21 PM
Well, what a day!! Train to Liverpool from Leeds at 7.07am - I don't get up until 7.40 on a weekday! I suppose I should get use to early starts before the move to London! Got to Liverpool at about 9am and walked down to those three famous building job things to pick up the new section of canal. I started the watch at that point (when effectively I had already walked 2.5 outside of the challenge!).

I had my back pack with clothes for tonight, what I thought was enough fluid and a medical kit an army officer would be proud of! The first section was 14.1 miles to maghull, where lunch was planned. My parents have pulled a blinder, obviously more aware of how tough this is going to be than I am they offered to meet for lunch then later in the afternoon to do the last 5 miles with me. They had lots of water with was well needed. Managed to burn my legs a bit today and it was hotter than I was expecting. Just a they met me my left knee started aching. I'm not a doctor but my guess is cartliage rather than ligaments. Anyone I was pretty worried at 14 miles in I was knackered! I had lunch and the knee had seized. I popped a couple of nurofen and either them or the moving of it again seemed to keep the 'pain' at a constant level.

The walking was pretty uneventful. I had a few comments from passing people wishing me luck (I have a special t shirt!) and a few entertaining, 'are u walking the whole way' type things! I only used the iPod for about 6 of the 11 hours. I let my head think through a lot of the things it has to think about fir the rest. I don't really remenber too many of the sites!

With my parents havingndriven down from teesside (because family and friend have sponsored me to do it in memory of my grandad and cancer research as well as this) they parked up in wigan and gotthe train out a stop or two. I was impressed by their pace. Certainly helped to have someone for those las few miles. Everything ached by that point.

Really tired now, can't even finish the rest. Basically had a taybarns tea (google is your friend). 4 slices of Pizza and two plates of pasta later and I'm just inthe bath. Getting out and hitting the sack. Up a 7am, looking for a finish around 6pk tomorrow because im staying at the bosses. My parents, top draw again are going to support the day once again! They aren't making it easy or anything though, I can assure u of that.

I only hope I wake up feeling no worse than now!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 03, 2009, 02:28:18 AM
I am definately going to feel worse in the morning than last night.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 03, 2009, 06:28:58 AM
good luck today.,.,.,.,keep focused.,.,.,


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 03, 2009, 06:58:12 AM
Hungry, thirsty, sore and sunburnt... And I haven't made a single step yet!! 35.1 to be done today.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Kev B on May 03, 2009, 10:12:04 AM
Best of luck today Rooky, keep taking the tablets. Marvelous what you're doing.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 03, 2009, 10:28:04 AM
Chris's parents are supporting him again today but we hope to catch sight of him in Blackburn around 14.00.

Keep going fella, my tummy is churning all the time hoping you aren't pushing yourself too much. x


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tikay on May 03, 2009, 10:37:29 AM

This is just extraordinary.

Huge respect, Sir.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Karabiner on May 03, 2009, 10:43:15 AM

This is just extraordinary.

Huge respect, Sir.

Indeed.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: RED-DOG on May 03, 2009, 11:15:14 AM
Good luck Mr 9. I am agog.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 03, 2009, 12:13:47 PM
40% of todays miles in the bag, pub lunch round the corner! First ten miles today were dreadful, and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't had negative thoughts about completion. However know have a proper knee support after a special delivery from the support team and I'm feeling so much better!! About 15 mins ahead of schedule as well I think.

52 miles down, 78 (actually it's a struggle to do simple maths!) to go.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: taximan007 on May 03, 2009, 12:36:39 PM
This is Truly Immense.

Go Rooky


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 03, 2009, 01:10:38 PM
we are almost at blackburn and it is awful weather HAILING ....


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: doubleup on May 03, 2009, 01:19:44 PM

Fine effort!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 03, 2009, 04:59:37 PM
Over half way for the whole trip. 27.7 done today. Real bad patch the last couple of miles. Less than 6 to go todaythough. 100 mijutes.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on May 03, 2009, 07:30:46 PM
Over half way for the whole trip. 27.7 done today. Real bad patch the last couple of miles. Less than 6 to go todaythough. 100 mijutes.

Hopefully you're done for the day now x


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 03, 2009, 07:36:47 PM
Met up and walked a bit with Chris. He looks good, ( piccy's to follow)  I wanted to walk more but felt that maybe it was best to leave him to go at his own pace etc..I understand that during these sort of challenges folk prefer to be left on their own to cope, not as Chris said nowt like that apart from if it got a bit tough going he would prefer to go it alone. I finish work at lunch time tomorrow and would enjoy to join him again for his last few miles of the day,  walking in silence or chatting , but that is his choice alone as I totally understand sometimes it is better to go things alone, but my offer is there. What I am trying to say Chris is that I won't be offended if you prefer to cope alone but at the same time I love walking. The choice is yours fella, only you know how which is the best way for you to do this. xx

Not too sure how many of you on here have met Rooky9 but those that haven't he is one in a million. A truly genuine nice guy, his parents must be very proud.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 03, 2009, 09:27:42 PM
A really rough last 5 or 6 miles today, but another 33.5 ticked off. Only 58 left to go!! I'm not moving well at all at the moment but a nice sleep and stretch in the morning ami should be okay to go.

Maureen can I get back to you in the morning? The miles with you this afternoon were the 'easiest' of the day (in terms of they went quickly rather than it was flat etc!). That kind of makes me want to take u up, however like I said when It gets tough then I think I might be best keeping myself to myself. I'll see how the knee is on the morning.

Thank you for the kind words too.

X


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Robert HM on May 03, 2009, 10:04:04 PM
Pics of our hero, taken on the McD family box brownie today.

(http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo211/Robert_HM/Mos%20pics/chris.jpg)

(http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo211/Robert_HM/Mos%20pics/ChrisDaz.jpg)

(http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo211/Robert_HM/Mos%20pics/100_0436-1.jpg)

(http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo211/Robert_HM/Mos%20pics/100_0433.jpg)

(http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo211/Robert_HM/Mos%20pics/5.jpg)


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dewi_cool on May 03, 2009, 11:22:48 PM
Keep up the good work Rookie.well done ;hattip;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Josedinho on May 04, 2009, 12:08:56 AM
Simply brilliant.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 04, 2009, 01:00:29 AM
Rooks you are doing superb m8

keep it up  :respect: ;tightend;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 04, 2009, 07:10:00 AM
[  ] I photograph well.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 04, 2009, 02:40:15 PM
Just 41 miles to go!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 04, 2009, 03:04:04 PM
Woowhoooooo Superb Chris. You are doing just great. x


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Colchester Kev on May 04, 2009, 03:46:49 PM
I feel quite inadequate for only taking it up the arse for the cause !!

Rooky you are a hero mate.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 04, 2009, 04:22:14 PM
I feel quite inadequate for only taking it up the arse for the cause !!

Rooky you are a hero mate.

You both are Kev. x


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 04, 2009, 05:05:10 PM
I feel quite inadequate for only taking it up the arse for the cause !!

Rooky you are a hero mate.

but did you get blisters?


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on May 04, 2009, 05:16:43 PM
I feel quite inadequate for only taking it up the arse for the cause !!

Rooky you are a hero mate.

but did you get blisters?

Professional ethics won't allow me to comment on this - but I soooo wish I could...... ;all-in;

Seriously Chris you are doing an amazing job - when you get your breath back I'd love to know more about what inspired you to do this. You touched briefly on your Grandparents and I would love to know more if you felt able to tell us.

Hope this last bit goes well xx


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 04, 2009, 05:56:41 PM
I feel quite inadequate for only taking it up the arse for the cause !!

Rooky you are a hero mate.

but did you get blisters?

Professional ethics won't allow me to comment on this - but I soooo wish I could...... ;all-in;

If you're religious i am sure you would be forgiven

TELL TELL TELL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 04, 2009, 06:37:51 PM
Just been attacked by the biggest fucking swan ever! It was like a tank. Ok thou.
O
ONucking


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Colchester Kev on May 04, 2009, 06:39:08 PM
Trace you can tell .... I know i didnt get blisters LOL


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 04, 2009, 06:52:55 PM
Just been attacked by the biggest fucking swan ever! It was like a tank. Ok thou.
O
ONucking

At least it has good taste.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 04, 2009, 06:55:01 PM
Trace you can tell .... I know i didnt get blisters LOL

Hmm me thinks you must be used to a bit of the old friction burns then..


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 04, 2009, 07:07:26 PM
We are all set for meeting you tomorrow on the finish, Reece included, can't wait. Keep up the good work Chris one more day...xx


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Gamblor21 on May 04, 2009, 08:27:30 PM
Update from Chris, he has bad reception where he is now:

"Last 5 miles were awful, plus a swan came and attacked us, it was like a big white tank and we had to jump over a 5ft fence covered in barbed wire into a farmers field!

Got back on the path about 100m up but it wasn't what I needed after 28miles... 100.5miles done, 29.5 to go!"

I have so much respect for what he is doing, set himself this challenge and is doing brilliantly. His parents and sister came to walk the last 5miles with him today and they will be very proud.

He is moving down to London soon, so i'm going to suggest he walks the Thames... Though he may go through some bad areas, not the idyllic northern country side he is walking through at the moment!

Disapointed you didn't add the swim but keep on walking... Oh as the cash would say "Walk Hard", sorry thats Dewey Cox!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 04, 2009, 08:32:28 PM
I won't bother him with a Text Ian but if you talk to him again tell him my mind is on him 100% and anything at all tomorrow just call we will be there.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 05, 2009, 10:21:08 AM
110 miles down, 20 more to go. Knee feels okay ish, though I fear it's just the other 5 key joints catching it up so it feels normal! I can wait for hot bath then beer an football tonight!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 05, 2009, 01:03:48 PM
Just under 13 to go. Estimated finish between 16.30 and 17.00. If I was a betting man I'd be expecting a spread of 16.42 to 16.47!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 05, 2009, 02:25:07 PM
gogogogogo


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Colchester Kev on May 05, 2009, 03:31:24 PM
Awesome stuff Rooky, good luck for the last push.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 05, 2009, 03:33:55 PM
Parked in the multy not too sure if it is the close to where you finish but I am sure it can not be too far.  Not long now Chris, keep it up.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: booder on May 05, 2009, 03:46:29 PM
Awesome stuff Rooky, good luck for the last push.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on May 05, 2009, 03:53:49 PM
Well done on an awesome achievement.!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 05, 2009, 03:57:26 PM
Three miles out. Ran for a bit, and decided it wasn't clever. Tired, very tired.

Finish point is by the White footbridge over the river, it's the other side of the armories from where the car park is.

I really can't wait to sleep!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 05, 2009, 05:24:19 PM
All done and finished, he looks pretty good to how far he has travelled. I did not take my camera dohhhhh, but managed to take a couple of pics with my work phone which I will hopefully try to sort them out onto the lappy later.

Once again Chris thankyou so very much. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 05, 2009, 05:32:54 PM
Who's coming on the return leg?! Definately something to do once I think actually. Pretty tired and guess it might not hit me until later in the week- I feel the best I have felt since before the knee went on sat morning!

Will post something later, maybe tomorrow, along
With sorting the gps screen shots etc.

Thanks for the support.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on May 05, 2009, 06:14:44 PM
We want a full trip report please - whys and wherefores, highs and lows, the swan incident and any observations you made about life on the way.

Well done!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Josedinho on May 05, 2009, 06:18:23 PM
Well done!!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: technolog on May 05, 2009, 07:48:02 PM
Very well done  :)up


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 05, 2009, 07:50:20 PM
Here are the pic's I managed on my works Mobile, sorry they are not that clear.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 05, 2009, 07:53:58 PM
12barblues also came to see him finish. His advice to Chris helped immensely I believe resulting in minimising blisters.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 05, 2009, 07:59:28 PM
well.,.,well.,.,.,wel.,.,.,.,done mate .,.,.,great job.,.,well done.,.,.,hall of fame for you i say.,.,.,what a great thing to achieve.,.,you will never ever forgett.,.,.this day.,.,.,.,wel/./.well.,.,.well.,.,done thats all we can say.,.,.,very proud of you even though i dont know you.,.,.,,.

when your ready just pm me how to send funds.,.,.,.,.,.,.,well.,.,well.,.,well.,.,done.,.,.,.,speechless.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,

in my eyes one of the best blonde momments.,.,.,.,


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: taximan007 on May 05, 2009, 08:05:15 PM


in my eyes one of the best blonde momments.,.,.,.,

This. Very well done Rooky.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: taximan007 on May 05, 2009, 08:12:59 PM
This pic says Everything. Superb


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dingdell on May 05, 2009, 08:18:38 PM
Really lovely - and Reece is looking so well Maureen - look at those chubby cheeks!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 05, 2009, 08:19:46 PM
I tried to capture the " Huggle" as Reece calls it but was too slow. Reece also thanked him for helping to send him to Dinosaur land ( I believe Disney have one).


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Robert HM on May 05, 2009, 08:22:29 PM
Well done Rooky!!!!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 05, 2009, 08:22:35 PM
TPN Tracey although I just weighed him and he was 14.8k, which may be good seeing as he has dropped his second night off TPN this last week. I will weigh him again tomorrow before bed and then again on Thursday morning to see his weight after no TPN.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: ripple11 on May 05, 2009, 08:31:38 PM

Fantastic effort.....well done! ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 05, 2009, 09:02:41 PM
Walking is the only thing that stops my knee pain so might have to keep going!

I'm going to bed now, I will do my best to try and put something together tomorrow night. If anyone knows how to upload screenshots, and wouldnt mind doing it, I have the shots of the mileage splits for each of the four days - just let me know if anyone can. Thank you.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 05, 2009, 09:03:48 PM
I tried to capture the " Huggle" as Reece calls it but was too slow. Reece also thanked him for helping to send him to Dinosaur land ( I believe Disney have one).

The T-rex noise was immense!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: 12barblues on May 05, 2009, 09:12:04 PM
I expected to see a shambling wreck grovelling towards the finishing line.  Not R9.  He came in a bit knackered, but otherwise cool, calm and collected.  A magnificent effort, nearly as good as Reece's T Rex impression!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 05, 2009, 10:14:41 PM
 ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;tightend; ;tightend; ;tightend; ;tightend; ;tightend; WD m8

pm for £££'s shippage


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Eck on May 05, 2009, 10:27:19 PM
Bloody excellent effort well done that man  ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;

Let me know where to send £££


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cdw1111 on May 05, 2009, 11:13:03 PM
Bloody excellent effort well done that man  ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;

Let me know where to send £££

+1


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Karabiner on May 05, 2009, 11:37:40 PM
Bloody excellent effort well done that man  ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;

Let me know where to send £££

+1


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tikay on May 05, 2009, 11:50:21 PM

Been Offline a few days, working, so missed the climax (?) of the walk.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant,

Well done Rooky.

Also to Maureen for supporting him.

Big thanks too, to 12BarBlues, who, as Rooky & Maureen will confirm, has given a tremendous amount of moral & practical support - top bloke him.

This is just wonderful.

Remind me, please, how much I owe, & how to pay. I also need to pay for Kev's arse job.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 06, 2009, 06:50:22 AM
Tony it was Chris's parents and sister that did all the support work. A BIG TY to them .



Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Dewi_cool on May 06, 2009, 05:35:50 PM
bendigedig ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 06, 2009, 06:58:30 PM
So, how do I go about trying to write some sort of report on that?! A lot of it is a bit of a blur, it would have to be, about 40 hours all in and at times you really have to concentrate on just making one foot go in front of the other, then at other times you just have to completely block out what you are doing, let the legs work themselves and think or do something else just to stop you going mad!

The basic journal log would be something like this…

Day 1
I woke up at 6.10am on the Saturday morning. I hate early starts, but it wasn’t too bad, a lot easier with it being bright and sunny and my blackout blind not actually covering the whole of the window!

I did a final check of my back pack, got showered, did all the things that runners do, before getting dressed. The station is less than a mile away from where I live in Leeds, I didn’t appreciate at the time what the last mile would feel like compared to this.  Into the station, to W H Smiths to be ripped off for some bits and pieces for the trip and on the 7.08 train to Liverpool.

It had been recommended to me from a scouse workmate to get a taxi from Lime street to the Liver building thing. I decided to walk instead. I found it easy enough, probably just over a mile I guess. Again, I didn’t really appreciate that this additional mileage would catch up on me.

So I started the watch after a brief stretch and followed this new stretch of canal into the various connected docks. I then had to make my way alongside a road rather than a canal to pick up the start of the actually Leeds Liverpool canal about 1.6 miles away.

The first 10 miles or so were uneventful. I didn’t pass a single boat and only a handful of people. The sun was out, I had noticed that. I hadn’t brought suncream and I do tend to burn. Oh dear.

I had three or four toilet stops in the first 90 minutes. I’m not sure a girl could do this challenge, purely for the need to find somewhere suitable to lose the excess liquid that is taken in!

The plan was to get a few hours solid walking in before having a run before lunch. As it was I made decent time just walking so decided not to bother pushing it.

The plan had also been to carry all the stuff that I would need/couldn’t buy easily in the back pack for the first two days. I had a hold all packed off with my boss who I was staying with on the second night so could do a change over for the last two days. In this respect the plan changed. My parents had initially said they would come meet me for lunch and tea on the first day, then it developed to them staying over the night in Wigan and seeing me on my way to Burnley. In the end they saw me from just outside Liverpool through to Skipton. They drove to various points on the root and I’d have 5 minutes in the car, getting water etc. At various points one would walk a couple of miles with me.

Anyway I digress. I didn’t do the running as planned, as there wasn’t need to and I arrived in Maghull in time to see my mum and dad had walked half a mile down canal to meet me and show me where the pub lunch was. Just as they did so I felt my left knee twinge. I don’t think I landed awkwardly or anything but it was really hurting every time it moved. In fact it got worse with every single step towards the pub. Not a good sign with 116 miles to go. I sat and ate my lunch. I was pretty worried about my knee.  I had some of the bandage support tubing stuff in my medical kit (!) so I cut that in half and put one on my left knee. It didn’t really feel any better, but what could I do.

From the outset of this challenge not completing it has never been an option. I’d have been dragged off in a bag before I quit, but I have to admit that this knee pain had me thinking the whole what if I cant go on, what if I fail type stuff. Not a nice thought. A lot of people knew about the thing I was doing, and the thought of having to admit that I hadn’t/couldn’t do it was as big a motivator as the thought of the two people who I was doing it for, and who would be let down (I can’t work out what that says about me and whether it’s good or bad!). Anyway, once there isn’t an option of failing then the choices along the way are pretty simple, you just keep going.

The knee did ease off a bit after the next few miles and soon enough I was 20 odd miles in. Passing half way was always nice, but seeing 5+ hours down and another 5+ hours to go was hard to take.

The knee had ruled out any running and I just didn’t see the point in risking it. Actually I did run for about two minutes, just to confirm that it wasn’t the thing to do!

I had another meeting with the ‘support team’ (!) before they headed off to find the hotel and get a taxi back out to Appley Bridge to do the last 5 miles with me. I’m glad they did. The last 10 miles on day one were pretty tough. One or two areas began to blister a little, but I stopped and applied the recommended compeed tape asap. My legs were tired, the pace had been good but it had been a really long day and I was just plain tired.

The original plan had been to get to Wigan top lock, which would have been a total of 38.5 miles in day one, however without having been able to run it was getting late ish. We decided to stop about halfway through the Wigan locks where a fairly main road came and we were able to get a taxi back to the hotel. 37.74 miles in the bag.

The hotel had a Taybarns restaurant attached to it. I’d never heard of the brand before, I’m not sure if it is a chain or not, I presume so, it had that look. Anyway it was an ‘all you can eat’ place. Brilliant, just what I need. It did all kinds of food you can think of, but I stuck to the pasta and pizza. I didn’t eat as much as I thought I would. Probably because I was sick of hobbling to the counters on my now stiff knee.

I headed off for a bath before heading to bed at about 10pm.

I didn’t sleep well.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 06, 2009, 07:37:51 PM
Day 2

I got up at 6.45am. All through the night I had been waking up. On the hour for a drink as my mouth was bone dry. Twenty past the hour as my knee was hurting and my legs were throbbing. Twenty to the hour as I needed the toilet. That pattern went on most the night.

I had an extra mile to do so I started a touch earlier. I remember a bit less about this day.

My knee was really hurting, the first couple of hours were real energy killers. Every single step felt like ten. I was walking slightly funny to try to help my knee but that was hurting my foot! There was no way I could carry that pattern on. I called the support team. They had been aware that I was struggling with my knee, even though I hadn’t said anything. The bandage thing wasn’t doing enough so I asked them if they could find a proper knee support to see if that helped.

The sun was now out as it neared lunchtime. The knee support had be procured and delivered at an ideal time. I managed to get it on, and in the process realised I had burnt calves (or is it carf’s?!). The support was tight and had been agony as it stretched over the top of the worst burnt bit.

Having got the support on it was only 4 miles to the pub picked for lunch. The knee support was brilliant, did the job and the four miles to that lunch were pretty comfortable.

With it being Sunday the pub was reasonably busy and the prospect of Sunday lunch was tempting, instead I went for a posh burger and chips, not ideal energy but it was all that they had that seemed to take my fancy on the reduced Sunday menu choice.

After lunch it was on to Blackburn. Maureen had asked to meet up and I had said 2pm in Blackburn. I didn’t realise that Blackburn was so big. Stretched along the canal. Anyway I made my way in and met Maureen and Darren at the end of the Blackburn embankment. It was good to see smiling faces and we all chatted and walked along through Blackburn.

The pace was going well and it was nice to have the company, though quite an element of the challenge needed to be my ability to get through this myself. To some degree I actually class having the support team as cheating. There is also the fact that I don’t like people seeing me struggle and I don’t want to be short with people, and there was a real risk of both those things at points where I got really tired.

Maureen walked a bit further with me whilst Darren went for the car. We must have covered 4 miles or so together I think, which was really nice.

I had another meet with my parents mid afternoon. I was making decent time and on for meeting my boss just short of Burnley at the planned time. The last stretch was 10 miles and I was going alone.

These ten were probably the hardest of the whole thing. Up there with the last stretch on day one and the mornings of two and three. I had absolutely nothing left. It was hot again as it had been all day 1 and two. There were a few twists on the canal that meant you just didn’t seem to be going anywhere. The towpath was changing sides regularly which meant steep climbs up to bridges and painful steps down the slope on the other side. Downhill was worse than uphill.

I passed half way on this section, both of the canal and of my challenge (which were out by about a mile). As with the daily half ways it was both delightful and destroying at the same time. I still had the same again to go?! I’m absolutely knackered!

I dug in. The ipod was really handy for time like this. I played with my phone a bit too. Anything to take my mind of the last few miles and the general tiredness and knee pain I had.

Half a mile from the end I had the smiling faces of my parents and boss and all three helped me through the last section. I fell into my bosses car. He drove us the 20 mins or so to his house, my parent headed to their hotel. I had a shower and changed, which made me feel a bit better. We ate homemade lasagne followed by homemade Xmas pudding and custard! Ideal and delicious.

I avoided the alcohol offered and stuck to water.

I still didn’t sleep well.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Kev B on May 06, 2009, 08:34:02 PM
Fantastic Rooky, not just the run/walk itself but the reasons why you did it. I don't even know you but I think you are one in a million. It is so heart warming to see such giving from one human being to another. Marvelous and bloody well done.

 ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;hattip;


Please PM me for payment, it will be doubled after reading the punishment you went through. Swan pics required though.  ;D


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 06, 2009, 09:19:21 PM
Today out of the blue Reece said " I remember Rooky, I remember his name don't I Grandma, he is sending me to Dinosaur land will I see him again. You must have made a big impression. Not too sure if you recall but a brief thing you yesterday referred to the way Reece may remember you. I can not exactly recall your exact words as at the time all I was thinking was I hope he doesn't think we are going to hold him from getting home...I just wanted you to go home and relax as best you could.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 07, 2009, 06:52:34 PM
Day 3
The start of day 3 will have been the most painful I think. My knee was really sore, I hadn’t slept well for the second night running and I still had 58 miles to go. The first three miles took a full hour as I made my way through Burnley, passing Turf Moor in the process. Again I had to have about three toilet stops in the first 90 minutes, which is more difficult in the urban areas!

Once I got through Burnley the knee pain began to wear off. The pace didn’t really pick up too much, it was just a case of getting through the day rather than speed.

The original plan was to have day 3 as a short day, just 24 miles, so that I could get the to B&B in Gargrave at a reasonable hour and get a decent amount of rest in. This would have left about 36 for the last day, which I thought would be fine with the last day energy kicking in. As it turned out I decided that I should try and make it to Skipton, a further 5 miles on, then get a lift back to the B&B and a taxi back to the start for day 4.

Day three was largely rural and involved making my way round the two tunnels on this canal. The first was in the first mile or so in Burnley and I had a bit of a nightmare finding my way round the streets about the tunnel (there aren’t any towpaths in most tunnels). As I was struggling with the knee each wrong turn was like a nail being hammered into my knee. Still I hooked back up with the canal at the other end and was off on my way.

I don’t remember an awful lot of Day three, it really was just head down and plough through. By this point I knew there was no doubt that I would be finishing it, and with a good shout of being on time, but you always have to keep telling yourself its still another 14,13, 12, 11, 10 hours of moving left to go. Each mile that ticked by I would look at the pace, look at the days total then try to mentally calculate how many miles that meant I had left. I think I may have mentioned before but I really did lose the ability to think properly at times, especially with maths (worrying for an accountant) – I was just really tired.

I had lunch just past the second tunnel which had involved a longer walk than the first, though it was more direct. This stretch was on the top pound so I knew the next lock I came to would be a ‘down lock’ rather than an up one. That was mentally quite a boost, even though going down hill hurt my legs more than going up.

My sister came over in the afternoon to add to the support from my parents. They decided to walk from Gargrave to Skipton with me, which would increase the mileage today but reduce tomorrows. Just before Gargrave there is a very picturesque but sole destroying few miles. The canal hugs the slide of the hills and you meander round for about three miles. At one point you can seen that where you were an hour ago is actually only a few hundred metres from where you are now, looking back at the apex’s of the previous two hairpin bends.

It was poor weather on day three, rained all day though to be fair never that hard. I had still managed to get pretty soaked so I added a dry layer when I meet my family in Gargrave and we set of for Skipton.

I was tired at a far earlier mileage on day three than any other and I would have been happy to stop at 24 miles, however it really seemed to make sense to keep going while I had the support and most importantly reduce the final day mileage from being the second furthest of the challenge.

As we approached Skipton I could see that there was a swan about three or four hundred metres in front of us – nothing too strange there I had passed a load of birds on the trek so far. However, this one was huge, you could see that from where I was. It had its wings clipped back making it look even more aggressive. It clocked us and started to make a very deliberate waddle towards us. Its strides almost so big that its body was rotating 180 degrees with each stride. It had its neck fairly extended but its heas tucked against it, like a boxer keeping his chin on his torso. It didn’t look like a good situation.

Regardless, tired and stubbornly I decided that this thing would move. I have as much right as it to be on this bloody towpath and I pose no harm to it. I continued towards it. It didn’t move. We were now at about 15m range and the support team advised we think again. My point was where the hell can we go. I’m not walking the 3 miles back to civilisation, I physically couldn’t. The swan kept advancing.

We decided that we should retreat a few metres to see what happened. The swan kept coming. We decided to retreat a little further, where instead on there being a 20m embankment to the side of the towpath there was a 5ft dry stone wall.

It became apparent we would need to climb on to the dry stonewall and see if the swan just walked past. We (my parents being in the mid 50’s and my sister being 5’2’’) climbed up, I was the last to drag my self up. We stood there and the swan stopped right by us. There was then a stand off. We had haribo and the egg ones in star mix look a bit like bread so we attempted a decoy by throwing it into the canal for the swan to fetch (to be fair I nearly went for them, waste of good haribo!). It didn’t take the bate.

The stand off lasted a couple of minutes and I said that there was no way we could just stand there. I decided we would jump off the wall into the farmers field. There was 3 lines of barb wire in addition to the wall height, and the wire was probably there for humans as much as horses, but this was an exceptional circumstance.

I made my sister go first. She is the smallest and by far the lightest and so less chance of breakage! My Dad then followed. We had to talk my mum through it, and she got it wrong in her scared state, getting caught up on the barb wire. She was okay though. Now for me! The bag went first then I just had to decide how to land. Too much on the left leg and I was finished, all on my right side (the good side) and I’d probably hurt that too. I jumped, a 6.0 on the landing, and we all made our way through the field adjacent to the canal.

There was a culvert not too far down the field so I knew there would be a route back on to the canal because a length inspector would use it to come and look a the culvert once a month. There was and we climbed up the small ladder to see the stupid (but massive) swan still stood 50m up the canal where we jumped off the wall.

We continued down to Skipton.

A pub meal (bit of a running theme there) and off to my B&B as I said goodbye to my valuable support team.

I didn’t sleep well

 



Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 07, 2009, 06:59:40 PM
Day 4

I woke up at 6.15am, slept a little better than the previous two nights, but not great. I had a taxi booked to take me to Skipton at 7.25am, and the second B of the B&B was ordered for 7am. In the 45 minutes I had to get all my clothes together, which had been spread round the room to dry, do the daily preparation on the feet etc shower and change.

I had the full English option for breakfast. Well, when in Rome! It was nice, but naughty. Very naughty.

I wasn’t feeling too bad. I had put the knee support on straight after the shower, so it had been on for an hour before I started. I’m not sure if it was that or the fact it was the last day, but it wasn’t giving me as much noticeable pain as before. The start pace wasn’t too bad, and I knew it would get me into Leeds for 5pm.

Only a couple of miles in and I had another Swan encounter. I had seen a swan nesting here last time, but hadn’t had any issues. This time the dad was prowling and although not quite as big or angry as the one the day before I decided to take a slight detour along the adjacent road as a precaution. I think I now have a fear of swans!

A few miles later and I could feel that all of my leg joints were really tired, but the prospect of being in my own bed on the night really took anything away from it.

It seemed to drag, again this could either have been because it was the last day or because I had done this section before. I knew each step was getting me closer though and it was just a case of head down, keep going, and sooner or later I’ll be finished.

I kept hydrated with water and lucozade sport, and energised by a bag of haribo in the afternoon.

By mid afternoon I really was in the final stretch. The count from 4.25 seemed to take forever, but eventually I could see the Leeds skyline. I made my way from the end of the canal through town, along the river.

Waiting for me at the top of the bank was Maureen, Darren, Reece and 12barblues. It was good to see Reece looking so well, though as Maureen says it’s still no where near ideal with him looking so good because he is back on the TPN most nights.

I got a thank you and a hug for helping to send him to Dinosaur land. I asked which his favourite was and what they did. It’s the T-Rex and we got an impression of their roar. You can tell he’s a clever little lad, and he was weighing me up!

Actually it’s a really important point, its not just me who is helping send him to dinosaur land. A massive thank you to all sponsors. It is all massively appreciated.

I didn’t feel too bad at the end. I didn’t feel any particular sense of achievement, I just felt tired. I was in that unable to think stage that came on after about 8 hours each day. I knew that I had hurt my knee, and that I would suffer with it, but on the whole I think I was in better shape than I thought I would be. Not having any blisters of note was a huge benefit.

I headed off home, via work to show my face to the sponsors I gained for cancer research from there. I was going to have a long bath, but apparently warm baths aren’t great. Instead I had a shower and headed to Morrison’s to select some tea treats.

I did have time to weigh myself after the shower. I had managed to put on 1lb in weight from before I left for Liverpool. Decent effort that considering I burnt best part of 14,000 calories doing it. I’m pretty sure I can’t have eaten that much!

I watched the first half of the football and went to bed. I lay there, glad that I had done it, but never again!

I didn’t sleep well


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 07, 2009, 07:04:08 PM
I feel quite inadequate for only taking it up the arse for the cause !!

Rooky you are a hero mate.

We each stuck to our specialist subjects?! I really fancy the benefits of a colonic, but like giving blood, I just cant work up the courage to do it.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: The_nun on May 07, 2009, 07:17:37 PM
I don't quite know what to say here. I honestly felt for you every day, what you put yourself through is beyond words that I can ever express. I know one fella that won't ever forget what you have done for him, including all those of you that donated to this and other Reece fund raising events thus hopefully making his dream of going to Dinosaur land possible.. A VERY BIG THANK YOU ROOKY, KEV AND ALL.....XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 07, 2009, 07:30:04 PM
Why take on this challenge? Well to be honest the idea came to me when I was trying to think how I could raise enough money to get a London marathon place through a charity. Until mid June I work for the organisation that looks after the Leeds Liverpool canal and I thought by doing something canal related I could tap into the 1700 employees to get to the target figure. As it happens I didnt get a charity place so the dea kind of fell away.

At the start of this year we found out my Grandad had cancer, and he became unwell really quickly. A few weeks later he was gone. He was a great bloke, so funny. Like many of their generation he started with nothing and worked hard his whole life to support his family. That allowed my Dad to get qualifications and a good job. That then alllowed my parents to support me through university and get to where I am now, to which i will probably never be able to tell tham how thankful I am.

I got my results to tell me i had passed all my ACCA exams in February, and can now call myself a qualified accountant (not that you'd ever really want to do that!). I did the course through weekend college so lost quite alot of free time. Passing the exams opened that time back up.

I have been a member of the blonde forum for nearly 4 years now (though only ever made BB1 with college) and Reece's story captured me. I know everyone has problems, but I love the way this little lad seems to have so much fight and such a positive outlook. I wanted to try and help give him another reason to smile.

So the combination of those things gave me the idea, motivation and opportunity to take it on.

Thank you so much to all the sponsors. I will be in touch with all those who confirmed, and those who expressed an interest, to sort payment details.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 07, 2009, 07:56:16 PM
WOW not only can you walk and run you can write superbly as well ,

TOP MAN...

how's the knee now?


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 07, 2009, 08:26:56 PM
I think I have sent PMs to all the confirmed sponsors, with the exception of the PM reference 5 sponsor, I cant find who that is from my outbox! If you are PM reference 5 can you let me know!! I have just exceeded my allowed PMs, but I will work through those that showed an interest too in due course.

Hopefully I'll get through all the responses reasonably quickly.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 07, 2009, 08:28:36 PM
WOW not only can you walk and run you can write superbly as well ,

TOP MAN...

how's the knee now?

I'm not sure about that, certainly for quality, but thank you.

My knee is still hurting, pretty much all the time. It does seem to be getting better slowly. I have had it looked at and advised to follow the RICE technique! Leeds 10k in 6 weeks so it better heal quickly!


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: suzanne on May 08, 2009, 03:08:42 AM
£s sent earlier this evening and after reading your excellent trip report I have decided to double it.

Well done Chris and  :)up to your family and all who supported you along the way  ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 08, 2009, 05:52:16 PM
£s sent earlier this evening and after reading your excellent trip report I have decided to double it.

Well done Chris and  :)up to your family and all who supported you along the way  ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;

Thank you, very generous too.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: sofa----king on May 08, 2009, 06:46:45 PM
rooky i am ref 5 hows best to ship?
fulltilt or ? what best easiest for you?


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: MC on May 08, 2009, 09:25:52 PM
Bloody epic mate, well done!

Can you PM me your Stars name pls...


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 08, 2009, 10:28:39 PM
Details received will ship on monday..


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cdw1111 on May 09, 2009, 10:38:05 AM
Rooky,stars name please.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 09, 2009, 11:27:44 AM
Will have it to you by end of the day. I can't remember for certain what it is! Tried to load the software on my computer here to find it out but couldn't get the download to work. Going home this afternoon so will be able to get it off that computer! There was another person after the stars name too. Will get it to you both asap.
Cheers
Chris


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Kev B on May 09, 2009, 03:27:19 PM
Donation transfered, well done again Rooky9.  ;tightend; ;tightend; ;tightend;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 10, 2009, 08:53:13 AM
Thanks to all those who have transfered already.

Stars name has been PM'd to those who have asked for it. Think there are only two sponsors who havent been in touch yet, so all going well.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on May 10, 2009, 09:02:10 AM
Top man, immense effort.

 ;tightend; ;hattip;


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: RED-DOG on May 10, 2009, 01:03:22 PM
Shipped  :)up


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: MC on May 10, 2009, 03:41:33 PM
Shipped  :)up

+1


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Eck on May 10, 2009, 04:00:14 PM
Bloody excellent effort well done that man  ;applause; ;applause; ;applause; ;applause;

Let me know where to send £££


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: boldie on May 10, 2009, 04:52:18 PM
shipped


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Rooky9 on May 10, 2009, 07:10:15 PM
We are just over £600 on the donations (page 1 is updated) and I think virtually all payments are progressing/have been processed!! Brilliant!! Thank you all.

Including gift aid I raised pretty much £1k for cancer reasearch too, meaning in total that each mile was worth £12.30. I'm very happy with that.

Thank you.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: tantrum on May 10, 2009, 08:30:07 PM
Well done, sorry didn't read the thread earlier, congrats.


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: cia260895 on May 11, 2009, 03:04:34 PM
Shipped


Title: Re: REECE FUNDRAISER - Please Read
Post by: Eck on May 15, 2009, 11:01:15 AM
Sent, well done again  ;applause;