The final update 25/05/14

Wow! That was pretty much as tough as I thought it would be!

My prediction of 15-18 hours was just about right as I staggered home in 17:53 or so.

Two underestimations on my part- the amount of time I'd need at the rest stops (was planning 5, 15 & 20 mins... More like 20, 60, 15), and the mud- endless quagmires of ankle deep sludge. Miraculously only hit the deck once, but must have slid and flailed 500 times.

Started in the rain at 7:20 with about a dozen 'joggers' in a big pack of walkers. Quickly teamed up with one guy to cover the first 25km, coming in at the top end of pace prediction, on 12:00 pace. The mud began just outside the M25, and, limiting the amount of running possible (about 60/40 on this section) made it to the 56km stop just about on 15:00 pace. Had some stabbing pain in one knee approaching this stop, so got myself checked out quick, but nothing broken and permission to continue granted. The next 15-20 km were probably the boggiest of the course, further sapping what little energy was left, and frying my joints. From the 80km stop it was largely hard ground, but by now had been reduced to a fast walk, with the occasional skip through the wet patches. Teamed up with a girl just outside this stop, as lights were now required, and she didn't want to go alone in the dark, so grateful for the company, and someone also trying to pull along at a decent rate, we clawed our way to the finish, keeping the pressure on when I realised sub18:00 was still on.

The finish was brilliant- photos, medals, bubbly (including my own F1 style moment courtesy of my folks!) and relief!

Some thankyous, to numerous to be made individually here, and some also due personally. To everyone who kindly sponsored, or still plans to sponsor me, many many thanks. Seeing we'd busted through the £1000 target on the morning of the race was a massive motivational driver to just keep going. Likewise the many supportive messages- I saw a good few of these on my way round and will check out the rest now, and again, these were great for keeping me going.

And finally my 'support crews'- I had family at every major stop where they allowed it, offering support, encouragement and refreshments, as well as a surprise appearance my an old school pal I haven't seen for a good 15 years outside a pub approaching 80K, who kindly came down to support.

So that's it- done it & got the t-shirt. This one also joins the never again list! Not any fault of the organisers- massively well organised, friendly event. Never looked at the map provided once, and only strayed approx 25 foot off course once, so well marked the course was.

Thanks again for your support. Got a feeling I'm going to be hurting for a few days!

Robin

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*** UPDATE 19/03/14***

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far. Close to exceeding my £500 fundraising  target which is great as want to raise as much as possible for such a great cause.

Training has been progressing ok. It is a balancing act of getting enough hours and miles in while avoiding/ignoring the inevitable injuries and niggles. Have completed my first two warm up races (Eastboure Half Marathon & Knole Park 10K) within the target times i aimed for. Next up is the 34 mile Sussex Coastal Ultra followed by the Paddock Wood Half Marathon. Just over two months to go until the big one, and am reasonable happy with how things are progressing. Kit all pretty much sorted (tried, tested and broken in!) - just waiting for body to rebel and fall apart on me!

Thanks again for your support.

Robin

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I have foolishly agreed to take part in a London to Brighton Ultra-Marathon race in May 2014. (www.london2brightonchallenge.com)

This is 100 km, or 62.137 miles, or 2.37 marathons (trying, and failing, to make it sound less by making the numbers smaller), in one go (unless i fall asleep in a bush), on foot (and probably my hands and knees).

 Yes, that's right - the slightly overweight lummox* , who can usually be found heading up any going buffet queue, is going to attempt a 100 km run/walk/crawl!

 *Although not a 'traditional' distance running build, I'm assured fat reserves are essential in ultra distance running...

 The course record is a frankly ridiculous 10 hours 13 minutes (which is some nutter doing under ten minute miles for the whole thing), whereas myself and my brother-in-law Lee (who I've roped in to lessen the chances of me wussing out of it... and to potentially carry me the last few miles) are just aiming to finish, preferably with the same amount of toes we started with.

 Training has been sporadic at best so far, however i am attempting to ramp this up over the coming months, so try not to laugh too hard if I'm walking round like John Wayne half the time, with legs made of stone. Unfortunately I didn't get a London Marathon place (intended as a gentle warm-up run) so will be doing a lesser known marathon or two (suggestions welcome?) in Mar-Apr time to help prepare, as well as getting lost in the Kent/Sussex wilderness on weekends, until my knees and ankles turn to dust.

 The confession is that my last organised race was over 800 metres, a good 15 years ago. This one is a mere 125 times further and, I'm now twice as old 'experienced', so what can go wrong?

 If anyone can spare anything for a fantastic cause, or just wants to ensure my continued suffering, it would be greatly appreciated. Equally feel free to forward this on to anyone who has to much cash on their hands, or would like to encourage this kind of lunacy.

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