My partner Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer during 2009.   She has completed the chemotherapy phase and is currently undergoing her radiotherapy treatment.  Unfortunately breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with 1 in 9 women developing breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Andrea has received fantastic care from the nursing staff at our local Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.    This has highlighted the importance of specialised equipment and support within the breast cancer unit known as The Scott Suite.  So I have decided to try and help them, to help others.

Scoll down for news of the run,  28 June

I will be taking on the challenge of running the 190 miles across northern England, from Coast to Coast, as one continuous run.  The run is planned for June 2010.

The total distance from St Bees Head to Robin Hoods Bay is 190 miles, with approximately 25000 ft of ascent along the way.

I have taken part in several ultra marathons, including The Lakeland 100, Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc, LDWA Hundred, but nothing further than the magical 100 miles.   This is going to be a BIG run! 

More women than ever in the UK are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, better screening and better treatments.

Thank you to those who have donated, you have been very generous.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Scott Suite at the Friarage will receive your money faster and Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by UK taxpayer.

Run News 29/6/10

Run photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/100milematt/sets/72157624414796492/

I set out running at 7am on friday 25 June from St Bees Head.   The thought of the 190 miles between me and the finish line was at the back of my mind - that distance just seemed impossible.  The weather was good; overcast, breezy and dry.  The miles came and went, passing over the first hill, Dent Fell and down into Ennerdale Bridge to the first checkpoint.  Martin on the support van had a vast range of food and drink, and with a change in pacers, i was soon off and heading into the Lakes proper.  Good time was made up Ennerdale, over Grey Knott to Honistor and down to Rosthwaite.  This was the 28 mile point and I was glad to finally get stuck into the event.  After a feed, my pacer Tony and I cracked on up Green Up Edge, over Steel Fell and down to Dunmail Raise.  I met my dad here for refreshments and then set off up towards Grisedale Tarn.  By now the sky had cleared and when out of the breeze  it was hot. 

Soon we passed the tarn and dropped down the valley into Patterdale, to meet the support van and new pacers.  I had a quick wash and change of clothes, followed by several plates of pasta.  We left at 2030 and set off up towards Angle tarn - the light was absolutely fantastic.  We peaked out at Kidsty Pike at 2230, the highest point of the C2C.  We ran off down to Haweswater, and met our mate Adam at last light, who had walked out with bottles of water and salted nuts.  I was suffering with a headache, (despite my hydration and urine colour being spot on) but the salted nuts cleared it up in 5 minutes!  Head torches on, we passed through burnbanks and crosed the valley pastures via Shap Abbey and into Shap for 0200.  Yet more food, we pushed on to cross the M6, which for me was a good landmark to pass at 65 miles - about a third into it now.

Passing Orton Scar and its' limestone pavement, we were back into daylight.  Sunbiggin Tarn came and went, which only left us Smardale valley and fell to cross before reaching Kirkby Stephen.  Still feeling strong, more food and drink and then out with 4 new pacers, to help me over Nine Standards Rigg and into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.  We passed through Ravenseat and finally to the halfway point at Keld, 95 miles.  

Still on schedule, and with 3 more fresh pacers, we set off up to Crackpot, Swinner Gill and Melbecks Moor, passing remnants of the lead mining industry that dominated this area 150 years ago.  The heat was made bearable by the occasional breeze and a nice easy downhill into Surrender bridge ensured we kept good time.  Looking down onto the meadows below was beautiful.  After a quick brew, Reeth beckoned us from 4.5 miles downdale ,so off we trogged.  Ahhh, toilets at last (no one had a shovel at Surrender Bridge!) were a welcome sight for me.  Martin from Kudu Bikes had the field kitchen set up with the usual array of scoff, which was taken on board.

More pacers led me the 11 miles into Richmond, where a big group of work mates were expectiing me.  A stop at Marske allowed me to get hosed off with water a change of clothes.  Getting rid of kit saturated by salt and putting on fresh gear is absolutely brilliant for morale!  We reached Richmond on time and I was welcomed by a big gang from work.  The amount of food bought by folks was amazing - it lasted us through to the end of the next day!  The market place was busy as it was 2000hrs. 

The two new pacers were like coiled springs and after a 25 minute break we set off along the river Swale.  117 miles completed so far.  This was new territory for me - how would I hold up?

The sky clouded and we were soon in for a good dose of thunder and lightning with heavy showers.  We continued along the Swale, passing under the A1 - another good milestone.  Progress was slow along this section through the Vale of Mowbray, due to long arable crops, overgrown paths, rubbish stiles and other niff naff that was all starting to tire me out.  I struggled along the 4 miles of road into Danby Wiske - all walked, whereas this should have been as easy run.  I was knackered and ready for a kip after 42 hours on the go.  My spirits were raised by a crowd of locals who spilt out of the pub to cheer me into the village.  They had a whip round and handed over £50 which was great.  I did my best to shake a few hands and staggered into the back of the van for a kip.  15 minutes later I was attemping to get back on my feet, but couldn;t seem to stand properly.  I managed to say to one of the support lads ' pick me legs up', before I fainted.  Seconds later I came around and then tried again 5 minutes later.  I took a few steps and went down like  a sack of spuds onto the deck.  Eventually I got up slowly and eased myself into a decent walking pace after 15 minutes.  I was worried at tihs stage that it was going to be a long job if i kept falling over.  However, it didn't happen again, so that was good news for me and the support crew.

The slow progress overnight meant i was about 3 hours down, but the main aim was always to finish, not make  a particular time.  Crossing the A19 was a good boost and we picked up a new pacer there.  We joined the Cleveland Way and cracked on passing the TV masts.  At this stage I was tiring again.  On the uphills, my eyes would stay open for a split second and then close for 2 or 3 secs.  I would then wander off path and wake up with a jolt when tripping over something.  Another kip beckoned and I had 30 minutes at Carlton Bank.  I felt great after this sleep - like  a new bloke, and kept  a good pace to Clay Bank top.  Passing Bloworth Crossing the Lion Inn was reached and time for a wash and change and plenty of grub - the heat was building up.  Soon we took up the good long run into Glaisdale, we reached the 170 mile point. I had my first glimpse of the sea from here - what a great sight!

 I was feeling good - taking the first 100 miles at a steady pace was paying off.  Change of pacers, and we set off parallel to the railway, through Grosmont and up the big hill on the road.  Soon over, we entered the cool of the woods at Littlebeck for several miles, then back up onto the moors to Hawkser. More brews and jam sandwiches from the support van and time for the final 4.5 miles along the coast.  Finally, to the sea cliffs and the undulating path around the coast.  I couldn't really believe that this was the final hour.  Finally rounding the corner to see Robin Hoods Bay was absolute bliss.  Onto the road and my kneecaps screamed for the last time - it was fair to say it was a steady run downhill to the slipway into the sea.  Loads of friends were there, waving flags, shouting and cheering and that was it. 

All over and all finished.  I'd completed the 192 miles in 61 hours and 13 minutes, with a total of 45 minutes sleep.

The support from the team of 14 pacers was second to none and the support van crewed by Martin from Kudu Bikes, assited by Alan & Terry was organised superbly.  The constant banter was a dream! 

Thanks to Andrea who has ferried me about Northern England over the last 6 months on all my training runs.

Thank you to those behind the scenes who made endless cakes, sorted problems I didn't even know about and generally got on without any fuss.

I would not have completed it without you. 

TRAINING UPDATES -  

30 May -

Just returned from the Heart of Scotland 100, the annual hundred event organised by the LDWA.  This started and finished in Dunkeld and was just over 104 miles in length.  There were about 400 starters, some finished, some didn't, and the route took in a variety ot terrain.  Forest track, tarmac, tussocks, heather moorland, river crossings - you nmae it and we probably ran through or on it!  I finished in 25.5 hours which I was really pleased with.  However, I picked up my first injury since my training began in January; shin splints on my right leg. This came on after 80 miles.

 I now have just over 3 weeks to rest, which will hopefully be enough before the big run starts.

16 May

 A steady run around the classic 3 Yorkshire Peaks today.  Started at Ribblehead, up Whernside, then Ingleborough and finally Pen y Ghent.  It's always a drag to Ribblehead from Pen y Ghent, especially when it's at the end of the day.  5hrs 5 minutes for 24 miles and just over 5000ft ascent.

9 May

Along with 500 other runners and walkers, I took part in the grueling 61 mile Fellsman Hike yesterday.  The route starts at Ingleton and ends at Threshfield, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.  There are some very rough, non defined sections on this, over the peat hags of Fleet Moss is a trying section at about 40 miles.  I had  a bad patch around 30 miles, but worked through that and felt fairly strong at the finsh.  Overall time was 14hrs 10min.  Apart from a stong northerly wind for most of the day, the cool weather meant ideal running conditions for me.  Prior to this,  I have had an easy 2 weeks, with just my usual 4 mile lunchtime runs during the week.

April 27

Had 4 good long runs in the past 3 weeks - a 30 mile and 20 mile around the Yorkshire Dales, mostly following the route of the 61 mile Fellsman Hike, which I will be taking part in early May.  On the C2C I have also  recced from Ingleby Arncliffe to Glaisdale, on a warm sunny day with a nice westerly wind.  The variety of the c2c is absolutely incredible, when you compare the terrain in the North York Moors to that of the Lakes. 

Last saturday, I ran from home, completed the 3 Yorkshire Peaks (managing to miss the 1000 runners on the actual 3 peaks race!) and ran home again - 40 miles with approx 8000ft ascent and I had dry feet all the way - that's how dry it has been!

April 6

Had a snowy week near Loch Rannoch mid March, and clocked up 100 miles through glens, forests and proper wilderness.  The snow in the sun shaded areas of forest was hard work as it was soft and knee deep.  I was down to 1 mph for 3 hours at one stage.  On the flip side it was good for X country skiing, so I had a day pushing myself around the woods. 

My recceing of the C2C has taken me from from Kirkby Stephen over Nine Standards Rigg, along Swaledale to Richmond - a nice 33 miler.

Have also done my local 12 mile run several times  - catch the train to Kirkby Stephen and run back home via Wild Boar Fell.

Last friday was a good day with 4 others, running from Fleet Moss, Hawes to Yarnbury, Grassington, 21 miles.  This was part of the route of the forthcoming Fellsman event.     

March 6th

I  have been cracking on with some good training runs during recent weekends.  I had a good 23 miler and about 8000ft ascent around the Howgills.  The 3 Yorkshire Peaks (24 mile, 4500ft ascent) is also on my doorstep and was fantastic with a good cover of snow and some ice.  I have recce'd the C2C upto Kirkby Stephen now.   Patterdale to Kirkby is a varied 37 miler, which took me just over 8 hours.  I also took part in the LDWA Trollers Trot in Threshfield today.  It is a  really fast route (too fast for me really!), that is 25 miles which I did in 3hr 45. 

Sponsorship and other stuff

Several companies have donated outdoor equipment that is been auctioned off on Ebay. All the proceeds will go to the breast cancer unit. Thanks to Lyon Equipment from Dent, Suunto Watches and Orange Mountain Bikes

Innov8 have given me  a pair of Roclite 320 trainers, which have been brilliant.  The first run in them was a 37 miler, and I had no feet trouble at all!   Memory Map have also supplied their new GPS, Navigator 4800.  i've used this on several runs now, and has been good.

Kudu Bikes in Hawes have provided a van and will staff the checkpoints for me on the run itself, print T shirts and help with lots of other admin that needs doing for a big run like this.  Thank you Martin.  www.kudubikes.co.uk

'Blue the design company', (a local company) have sorted a T shirt design for me.

Several individuals have offered to run sections with me as pacers.  Their help will be invaluable!

Finally thank you if you have donated - you have all been very generous.

regards Matt