Couple of days late, (still recovering), but heres my Strongarm Challenge update… Day 1 - 8 mile swim in Ullswater. Took about eight and a half hours and would like to give a massive thanks to my support kayakers Chris Scrimshaw, (sorry you got the short straw and the slow swimmer), who was with me most of the way until the very end, (he then swapped to look after another swimmer), and Adam Just round this corner Just another 100 meters Wall who got me through the last bit, (think it was a bot more than a 100 metres though…) Day 2 - Helvellyn Triathlon Route. Back into a soggy wetsuit for another mile followed by a 38 mile bike ride, (including a hill called the struggle), most of which was done in the rain. This was only the fourth time Id been on my bike, (the third was the 2 minute ride from the campsite to the lake), and for a non-cyclist with no idea what I was doing was pure hell! Unfortunately it took its toll and although I started the walk up Helvellyn I only lasted about half an hour, my legs were in bits, (Since I got back Ive had them checked and have been told I have tendinitis and have been told to rest and use crutches!). I tried to keep going but I was slowing the rest of the group down too much to the point where it would be both unfair and dangerous for me to carry on so I had to make the toughest decision of the challenge for myself and head back down. I was absolutely gutted! Adam Wall, (from the support crew & also from Petes course), stepped up to the plate though and took my place and completed the walk. I cant express how annoyed and disappointed I was/am with myself but ultimately I didnt complete the challenge so if anyone who has sponsored me doesnt want to pay I will take over their sponsor ship and pay it. Day 3 - Total Warrior 10 mile assault course. Took myself away, got my head straight, strapped my legs up and took part in what I can only describe as the best team effort I have ever experienced. We carried/dragged Bruno around the whole course, (which included a 4 mile fell run in driving rain), in a stretcher whilst many of us were in fancy dress. Outsanding effort by everyone! Day 4 - Bike back from Glenridding to Service HQ at Washington. After the second day I was absolutely dreading this, especially knowing that I would have to go up Hartside, (had it in my head I would stop at the bottom and walk up - if I even got that far). Massive thanks to Jamie Brady, (you are a machine, all be it a cocky one riding up Hartside on the big cog and going up hills one legged) and Jon Dan Duncan for sticking with me and Ian Metcalfe and getting us up the hills without stopping - absolute legends! Also for enlightening me as to what undulating really means and the difference between just round this corner and just round this bend. The group being escorted in to HQ by two fire appliances with their blue lights on must have been a great sight for anyone who saw us and was extremely emotional, for me it triggered memories of Petes funeral and reminded me, (not that I needed it), why I personally was doing the challenge - in memory of a great bloke, Peter Metcalfe. Even taking into account my Helvellyn nightmare, for me doing what I did on this challenge was a great personal achievement. I had done very little training, (first time Id swam in a wetsuit was day 1, day 2 was only the fourth time on the bike and was about 10 times the distance I had ever travelled before), and Ed Cooper and my wife did think I would die! I never disrespected or underestimated the challenge but due to a hectic lifestyle, two young children, (no excuse as there were others on the team that also have young children) and pretty much taking on more than I can chew I just didnt get to train as I should have done. Massive thanks to Carl Stephenson for organising Strongarm 2014 and sending 342 million emails to help me get to sleep at night as well as Paul Thompson for the original Strongarm concept. Michael Mangan for lending me his wetsuit, (you can have it back with pleasure!) & A1 Multisport for trying to make getting me kitted & fuelled up more affordable. All the support crew, some who were with us throughout the challenge to babysit us and make sure we were okay and others who turned up on certain days to get us where we needed to be. Including Alan Patterson Christopher Cowie Daryl Oguona Samantha Nicholson Andy Appleby Natalie Batey & the previously mentioned Adam Wall & Jamie & Jackie Brady to name but a few, (who I can find on Facebook). The British Red Cross for looking after us at the half way point of the swim. All the lads who took part in the challenge who made me part of the team and made the challenge as enjoyable as possible, (can an 8 mile swim, triathlon, 10 mile assault course and 100 odd mile bike ride be enjoyable…). Met some great blokes and gained some priceless memories! All the generous people who have sponsored not only me but every member of the team - every single penny was earned and its all going to three great causes. The missus, Cheryl Lowes-brice for taking care of the the two little rascals and supporting me leading up to and throughout the challenge. And lastly a special thank you to Warren Metcalfe, Ian Metcalfe and their family for allowing both me & the team to continue Strongarm in memory of a very special bloke - Pete! For Metty!
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 20:25:19 +0000