I will be running the Thames Path 100 on Sat 23/Sun 24 March (yes it takes that long). Which is a 100 (and a bit) mile non-stop foot race from Richmond Upon Thames to Oxford town centre following the Thames Path national trail.
I managed to drag myself to the finish last year having picked up a knee niggle at mile 30, and then tried to ‘Run it Off’ for the next 70+miles, so the niggle, turned into something a bit more nasty, which put me out of action for 6 weeks!!

Having done WAY less training and preparation this year compared to last year I think I know how hard this is going to be, and just getting anywhere near to finishing is going to be a big ask, but I am certainly up for giving it a go. 

And if I survive the above, I have been unfortunate enough to get one of only 100 places for the GUCR 145 on the
25/26/27 May. This is a real monster, with around only 50% of entrants reaching the finish line each year. It is along the Grand Union Canal, and starts in Birmingham, and involves me then running all the way back to Little Venice in Central London in 45hrs or less, the distance is (a minimum) of 145 miles (no that is not a typo).
So if the Thames Path 100 sounds like it is too easy, then please spare a thought for me as the GUCR 145 will be somewhat out of my comfort zone.

Why am I willing to put myself through this?

For the benefit of my chosen charity: Shooting Star CHASE (http://www.shootingstarchase.org.uk/)

Shooting Star is a children’s hospice which is local to me and it will be the 4 or 5 time I have done an event to raise funds for them. Shooting Star and CHASE hospice joined forces in 2011 to become Shooting Star CHASE, and these two children’s Hospices do a fantastic job of caring for children and young people who have life limiting conditions and their families, offering care, support and advice. All of which is provided free of charge to the families, 365 days a year.

But, these fantastic places need a staggering £8.5million pounds a year (£23,000 a day) to maintain these care services, and with no long term statutory funding, the majority of this comes from voluntary donations. And this is where you can make a difference.

 

I would be extremely grateful for any amount of sponsorship for David’s beer fund (I am joking), for Shooting Star CHASE, as the work they do and the support they offer to the children and their families is pretty amazing to say the least. And having visited the two hospices, I can safely say it is an emotional experience, but also a happy place, and makes you appreciate your own personal situation.

 

To follow my progress (which in the latter stages might be glacial) for the Thames Path 100 please go to the below site and then click on the ‘SEE THE LIVE RANKINGS’ button, I am race no 164 (or if no 83 is leading, then that’s me J)

http://www.centurionrunning.com/

 

The GUCR 145 is a very low key affair, so there is no live tracking etc, and as yet I do not know my Race No, but the website is here http://www.gucr.co.uk/ and will have updates as to who has retired (hopefully not me) and a list of finishers (hopefully including me) will be posted at some stage after the race has finished. So unless I am injured from the Thames Path 100 I will be there giving it a go, I can’t wait (I am not a well man obviously!!).

 

 

Wish me luck, as I know it is going to hurt. And a big thanks in advance for any donation (big or small).

David

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