Story
What can I say, we did it! We crossed the finish line at 3.16am, 15hrs 16mins after the start at 12 noon the previous day.
Read a full account and view the pictures here: http://mickslakeland50.blogspot.co.uk/
We started off very quickly and initially made very good time, however; the weather wasn't great (to say the least); conditions underfoot were extremely slippy, muddy and wet; and something happened to my left knee at or around the half way point, slowing the running down to a comedy hobble and making anything other than a mild descent (of which there was plenty) slow and very painful. Not to mention the five and a half hours of darkness were using 'the force' would have been useful!
The good thing is, when considering the above, it was never about finishing in a specific time; it was about finishing - which we did as a team. There was plenty of pain and discomfort suffered by all and it really was the hardest physical challenge I've ever done! The pain is temporary: blisters, chaffed skin (I'm currently walking like John Wayne!), sprained limbs, bad backs etc but the ability to say 'I did that' will last forever (but i ain't ever doing it again! See bottom picture if you don't believe me).
Thank You's
First and foremost i've got to thank all my sponsors. The total I've raised at the time of writing this is £950 and there are some monies still to collect. Gaz has raised at least £100 so between us we have smashed the £1000 target (I'll update with the final figure once I have it). Many thanks to you all, a very worthy cause and trust me when I say we earnt every penny of it!
Cheers
Mick