We've done the easy bit!

Finishing squarely in last place, we completed the Iron Monster course on Saturday evening in a time of 12 hours 24 minutes. It was tougher than we could ever have imagined. Only your comments and the money you have pledged to CAP and TLG kept us going as we pounded out the run and pushed the pedals.

The run started well enough with a lot of camaraderie from all the hardy competitors at the start at 7.00am in Inverness. We set off on the run with a sense of trepidation as we started the drag up on to the Great Glen Way. After 2 hours the rain was pretty heavy (not for the Saturday 7's!) but kept the midges at bay. At 3 hours the steady climbs became much tougher and the descents really steep. The steep descents really took a toll on our legs. The final part of the leg 3 run into Drumnadrochit along the road for 3 miles, with descent battered legs, was one of the hardest points of the whole course - we were suffering and the road just kept going on.

The start of the final leg of the run - 10 mile to Altsig - saw us do some tactical walking to try to get our legs to work again.

After 7 hours 2 minutes of constant pounding we finally reached the most beautiful sight in the Highlands - our bikes. We jumped on them not knowing what would happen. But somehow, from somewhere we were able to turn the pedals up the off road climb into the forest. Being on the bikes meant the end of the battering the run had given us and allowed us to appreciate the amazing scenery.

After 9 hours, we reached Fort Augustus for the start of the road cycle back to Inverness. Up the mighty climb (400m) our legs just couldn't respond so we were reduced to half cycling, half walking. From the summit we were treated to one of the best views in the Highlands - if you've never been, go there!

We then started the long ride along General Wade's Military Road back to Inverness along rolling terrain. We were now plumb last and they were closing the course behind us. In our wake trailed - an ambulance, a minibus, the guys collecting the course signs and the time keeper. It meant there was a constant lure of a warm minibus and a stop to all the pain.

BUT you'd pledged money to two great causes and your encouragement meant everything to us. We kept reminding each other of the comments you'd made.They kept us moving.

With about 18 miles to go we were both really feeling it. The course was constantly undulating with lots of sharp little climbs. Tommy got himself in a "too tired to change gear" zone where he'd drive over the climbs without letting the pace slip too badly. Pete clung to his wheel wondering how long he'd be able to keep going.

With 8 miles to go, the roles reversed. Tom was a spent force and the course climbed for about 3 to 4 miles. Somehow, from somewhere, Pete felt the pull of the magic finish line magnet and began spinning his pedals like a pro-cyclist. Tom was absolutely stuffed but there was no way he was going to let go of Pete's wheel. He only looked at Pete's rear wheel and every time it stretched away would will himself to close the gap. The words were endlessly looping round in our heads - "got to raise the money for TLG and CAP".

Finally, we were into Inverness, across the river and into the finish. It was pretty quiet - they were taking down the marquee when we arrived. But a group of marshals cheered us over the line and gave us our finishers medals.

Now the hard bit

Despite the massive generosity of all those who've sponsored us so far, we are still a way short of the target we'd set to raise money for CAP and TLG. If you haven't sponsored us yet, please do whatever you can, however small, to help us with the real test of reaching the fund raising goal.

 

What we're doing:

On Saturday, 11th September we will be taking part in the First Iron Monster Challenge at Loch Ness. This entails starting at 7.00am from Inverness, running 26.95 miles along the north side of Loch Ness, then switching to bikes and cycling 45.3 miles around the western end of the Loch and back along the south side of the Loch to Inverness. 1000's of people do this event in a 4 person team relay, but we're both doing the whole thing - eek!

And most exciting, there is a real chance that a record could be broken - by Tom for the slowest ever circumnavigation of Loch Ness by a tubby surveyor!

Why we're doing it:

Because we want to raise awareness and funds for two brilliant charities - The Lighthouse Group and Christians Against Poverty.

Christians Against Poverty is the most successful money education and debt counselling service in the UK. It works with some of the most vulnerable people in society to help them address their financial challenges and manage their own way out of financial difficulties. CAP is a regular winner of The Times Best Companies award and has helped over 4,500 families to live debt-free. www.capuk.org

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