Hi Bloggers, 333 is done, dusted and complete...
On Saturday I looked at the weather forecast for Sunday, the last day of Challenge333, and I decided to do about 10km so that we could avaoid 3 loops totalling 23k for UB if the weather was as bad as predicted. Now I don't see myself as in anyway clever but this was a VERY bright move! I did 9km on Saturday and on Sunday it was cold, it was wet and it was going to be muddy and hilly!
The turn out on Sunday was amazing, 32 brave souls arrived on Sunday morning at Goldenstones Leisure Centre in Yeovil. What a club, 30 years old, a great cake made by Stacey, loads of cake from others and just 3 loops planned in the gales and the rain. Iain Clarke from Action Ducheene arrived from London, Ian and Ali had come down from Hindhead in Surrey.
We set of with a nice message from Tony and Jen, Alfie and Arthurs parents in my mind, loop 1, no problem, muddy, raining but not to windy, Kris, my daughter, does not know YTRRC runs to well and turned up without off-roaders, she will learn!! Big puddles, big mud but not too many hills. And I forgot to take gloves, now there are cold hands and cold hands, and mine were frozen..
Back to Goldenstones, it was hard setting off on loop 2, now we hit the hills as well as the mud, the rain got heavier, and worst of all, the cold wind got stronger. Matt went flying, as did Dave, all ok I'm glad to say. Roads were like rivers, paths like streams, the mud was slippery and it was cold, but still on we went. I started to pass the word on my wisdom in doing 9km the day before as we went past the 22km mark for me, I had 1km to meet my target distance. NO NEED FOR LOOP 3, Everyone stopped at 14km (when I went through 333km) and gave me a well done, 30 years well and truly celebrated and awareness of DMD improved just a bit.
It would have taken great mental fortitude to go out for a 3rd loop, so Saturday was such a great decision, but I know that all those great people out with me would have done it if necessary.
I have been truly humbled by the experience of running with such fantastic people, I am not going to name everyone, you know who you are, but a few who do need a mention, Ian Mayhew, the inspiration who continues to raise awareness through Challenge639 and who is starting to get back to the fitness levels he expects of himself, to everyone at Yeovil Town Road Running Club, there cannot be a better club, especially Sally, Paul and Richard, whose support has been outstanding and constant, to Jen and Kris who joined me for so many miles. And Phil and Pete, always in the background, setting things up and doing the donkey work, thanks everyone!
And finally, a call from Tony Marchant at the end, it meant so much, but typical me, I did not know what to say, I just hope we meet soon, I would love to meet the family, Tony, Jenn, Alfie and Arthur. You all have my respect!
So for one last time... For Alfie and Arthur...
Richard now takes on the Three Race Challenge, Ian continues Challenge639. It is not over for Alfie and Arthur, please talk about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, lets make everyone aware.
If you feel moved to contibute to the costs of bringing up Alfie and Arthur please go to www.marchantfamilytrust.org.uk and click on donate... Thank you
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