tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48138243037957526852012-01-29T18:11:19.876ZDarrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.comBlogger1221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-23693162893194988902009-09-20T07:52:00.001+01:002009-09-20T07:52:16.284+01:00

Well now the dust has settled, the clarity of our injuries are becoming more real. Brunt is already seeing a specialist and I've been told my running days might not be as long as I'd hoped. Fingers crossed they can get us patched up for next year. We'll be announcing fully next years event when we know if I need an opt and the recovery times. Brunt is still fund raising like crazy and we'll keep

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-69661778867934061852009-09-17T09:21:00.003+01:002009-09-17T09:25:27.734+01:00

Well, well, don't injuries take ages to heal?Bryn is still feeling the pain in his legs and I'm on the X-ray route at the moment with waiting to find out if surgery is needed.Thankfully I think we are thinking of Cycling next year, I think our poor knee joints might be thankful we are!We are now totaling up the final funds for the event and completing some more fundraising days and selling off

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-12399756335956331142009-08-28T12:54:00.003+01:002009-08-28T13:01:02.835+01:00

As the donations keep rolling in, we are a'blush with respect for all the people who kept emailing, twittering and facebooking us as we covered the the many roads of the UK.It's sinking in now, not only all the pain but what we did and the money we are still raising.We still have much to tie up and we'll be posting updates right up until the 11th September cut off for donations.-darren

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-28631954220352328192009-08-23T21:21:00.002+01:002009-08-23T21:44:45.211+01:00

It was hard, much harder than we thought. 10 huge peaks in 5 days was a task and a half, just completing Ben Nevis and Ben MacDui in the first day was epic. We've received the greatest words of support from people who have walked some of our routes themselves. They've understood the enormity of getting up them quickly as we tried. We are not ultra athletes, just two normal guys that pushed

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-33582648873614384282009-08-21T18:48:00.002+01:002009-08-21T18:52:09.569+01:00

Pen Y FanBryn PoseyOur final peak yahoooooooooooooooooooooooDarren had worked so hard on all our routes his distances where spot on his timings we managed to beat, all apart from Scarfell Pike, and us getting lost didn’t help.Our last peak we had ran quite recently and so Darrens route card was not quite as polished as it could have been well. It was meant to be approximately a two hour run with

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-38545076935065761312009-08-21T18:35:00.002+01:002009-08-21T18:43:47.547+01:00

35 mins ago we finished our mini adventure, 29 hrs to complete 122 km. I've been up some mountains and out in bad weather but not for 5 days and not when the MET office issue two bad weather warnings. The last run in from Pen Y Fan is a 1 km run to the top car park, the tarmac felt like sponge or jelly. It was an epic week and I'll pour more out when I get back about the trip and all the good and

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-14698706087097173142009-08-21T11:50:00.003+01:002009-08-21T12:59:18.622+01:00

Ok, I 'think' I 'might' have made a mistake by putting the following on our truck "2 guys, 5 days, 10 peaks, over 16,000 mtrs of ascent & descent, 120+ Km on foot - England, Wales and Scotland...I bet it rains!" - right what I think I really meant to say at the end was, "...I bet it shines with glorious sun and we'll see wonderful panoramic views of rolling countryside."Just been up and down

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-39236730357538392922009-08-21T07:51:00.002+01:002009-08-21T08:13:26.012+01:00

We are all up, packed, kit ready and on the road again.YES! as always, it's raining as we wind our way towards Idris. Tim and myself had a better night sleep than Bryn, who has now found out that he's not ideally suited to sleep by a stream, looks a little punch drunk this morning but seems ready to go.- darren

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-64092998666038875742009-08-20T21:57:00.002+01:002009-08-20T22:31:50.761+01:00

Just a quick update. We got up and back off Snowdon with a 14.5 km route, taking 3 hrs 9 mins. Not the fastest time we could have done. The path was really bad in places and stopped any real speed over ground. Bryn's poor legs were burning up and energy low. It's been a long few days and we'll be starting again at 6 am and heading off for our next mountains.It was heaven after a cold and rainy

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-57890653487350793732009-08-20T21:04:00.000+01:002009-08-21T12:05:38.855+01:00

SnowdonBryn PoseyWoah!! As we drove towards Snowdon it rose in front of us higher and higher. Oh and surprise surprise the top of it was surrounded in mist. The whole of Wales, the Lake District and Scotland had been given a severe weather warning. Joy of joy, pound to a penny it was going to rain, or be very windy at the least.The trail meandered towards Snowdon with the steam trains

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-7288948595244140222009-08-20T14:39:00.002+01:002009-08-21T12:02:47.185+01:00

All week this is the one peak that I have been nervous about. We where not doing the usual approach from the south, we where doing the east to west approach the longest route we had planned. As we set off the weather was playing us as it has all week, light rain moments of brightness hinting that it may even sunshine. Then the clouds close in and you guessed it it started raining yet again. The

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-54893884451628675162009-08-20T14:13:00.002+01:002009-08-20T14:20:56.958+01:00

I'm not one to preach, but ALL our beneficiary charities do a fantastic job in their respective fields of support. If you can give a few pounds to keep pushing our totals up and make this a worthy challenge event, please do. Hit donate and keep pushing our fundraiser target ever higher.Thanks for all the support, keep it coming, you don't know how much it's keeping us going...-darren

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-45152889043505974372009-08-20T13:56:00.004+01:002009-08-20T14:13:09.369+01:00

With tight times, we normally get anywhere between 4 and 7 hrs sleep a night in the last 5 days of traveling. But being the theme park, sorry campsite we were in last night, it was a LOT less!Anyway back to the peaks. This morning we hot footed it up the Old Man of Coniston, once again in the driving rain. It felt colder today, but I think our bodies are still recovering from the day before, up

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-5887690518845331862009-08-20T13:26:00.006+01:002009-08-20T13:55:59.644+01:00

Well not 'JUST' yet. Ben Macdui - DONE!, Ben Nevis, Ben [I'll rain on you all the way around] Lomond - DONE!, Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Scarfell [lucky to be alive] Fell & Old Main of Coniston - all DONE! Seven down, three left. It's a heck of a journey, I've not only learned about what I've done, but what I am capable of doing. Stubborn is one of the first words in any sentence used to describe me,

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-21703973880911851442009-08-20T12:03:00.000+01:002009-08-21T12:04:35.504+01:00

Old Man of ConistonBryn PoseyA rough night, A rough camp site although they did have ham sandwiches for a £1, which after 4 days of dried food was legend. The trail started up a nice track crossing streams bordered by ferns and wandering sheep. Then as always the clouds came in and the rocks reared themselves from the bed of the trail. All the way slate and rock made us side step and second guess

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-22128498388851945242009-08-20T11:09:00.001+01:002009-08-20T14:39:34.603+01:00

Day three and the half way point what a feeling one more hill and we have passed that pschycological barrier and we are on our way home. Helvellyn started off by a lovelly stream crossed a pretty little wooden bridge and then another, then recrosses the stream. Then the path headed skywards, it felt like being on a stepper for an hour solid raise one leg then the other.This sole destroying

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-43306817829574718372009-08-20T10:46:00.000+01:002009-08-20T11:09:39.872+01:00

Wow the last peak of day 2 as we go up some of the views are fantastic, then our friend the cloud closes in on us, blurring our view dulling our senses. The simple sound of the wind and the mist making it almosr seem like we where hiking in a dream.The Forest leading up to Skiddaw allowed as an amazing view of longside edge looming over us. Then the climb began I haven't climbed walked in many

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-50778346594213584232009-08-19T21:40:00.003+01:002009-08-19T22:01:12.583+01:00

I can, as anyone who knows me would agree - be a bit of a risk taker. Today however a stubborn object [me] met and immovable force [Scarfell Pike]. The MET office has issues a weather waring for the Lake District area, we can at first had confirm that yes it is dangerous to be on Scarfell Pike in the fog, hard driving rain [one side of my face 3 hours later is still stinging], fading light and

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-40118796072570079732009-08-18T16:20:00.002+01:002009-08-18T16:34:39.287+01:00

"Amazing"," wow look at that", "that's a massive peak", "get the camera quick", is all you could here from our truck on the journey between Ben MacDui and Ben Nevis was not only breathtaking but the scenery was simply stunning. It was at if it was being painted for us by the gods.All the films you see on TV of Canada and Alaska just looked like they were all filmed right here in Scotland. I just

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-35213279218498428262009-08-18T14:58:00.001+01:002009-08-18T14:58:48.949+01:00

Ben NevisBrynWow three hours roughly after summiting Ben Macdui we where setting off up Ben Nevis. We had already climbed over Seven Hundred metres and had another Thirteen Hundred Metres or so of climb and descent oh and about another fourteen kilometres. You have to laugh because if you didn’t you would have to cry.The first Six Hundred metres of ascent contours you around Meall an t-Suidhe to

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-68198636690100613702009-08-17T19:57:00.002+01:002009-08-18T15:15:51.125+01:00

Ben NevisBrynWow three hours roughly after summiting Ben Macdui we where setting off up Ben Nevis. We had already climbed over Seven Hundred meters and had another Thirteen Hundred Meters or so of climb and descent oh and about another fourteen kilometers. You have to laugh because if you didn’t you would have to cry.The first Six Hundred meters of ascent contours you around Meall an t-Suidhe to

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-19993350781167962162009-08-17T15:53:00.000+01:002009-08-18T16:19:00.820+01:00

MacDuiAfter the efficient de-camp, though I must say a big thank you to the lady working on the reception desk at Dailraddy camp site who, on her day off very kindly got up an hour and half early to let us out the camp site. Not to try and sell the campsite but I was impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities and for the size of the complex there were enough not to que.As we winded up the

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-24886265924043668272009-08-17T14:41:00.002+01:002009-08-18T15:04:53.132+01:00

Ben MacduiBrynAlong the way we have collected a number of pieces of important equipment from sponsors like our sleeping system Solo Tents, Sleeping bags and OMM Sleeping mats combined with Chocolate Fish Merino wool leggings and vest. An adequate system although the ground temperature last night meant I woke every few hours to turn to relieve the numbness in one side that was warm to allow me to

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-75881118893026586002009-08-16T09:15:00.004+01:002009-08-16T09:28:04.451+01:00

Apart from a Bryn 'where's my wallet?' moment we left without a hitch. Well all the training, pain, sickness, bad days, good days and the respect I have for the amount of work that go in to charity events, we are now on the road.We can't do nothing now but relax, read routes and prep for a 5am tomorrow morning, when the first run/hike/crawl starts.-darren Stumble It!

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-15153161061030456142009-08-16T07:58:00.003+01:002009-08-16T08:58:45.847+01:00

Updating the blog via an IPhone as we cruise along the highways heading north. Well 14 months of planning, 12 months of fund raising, 10 months of training, the 12 hours of travelling has arrived before the 5 days of running all begins. It seems quite strange this whole event has been based around some huge numbers the scary thing now is the huge numbers are the meters of ascent we are climbing

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-60473834909917749642009-08-15T20:36:00.002+01:002009-08-15T20:40:45.347+01:00

When I wake up in 7 hours our long trek to our starting point in Scotland. I feel like I did when I was little on Christmas eve...All the packing is done, all the worry is over. Now it's just get our bodies around the routes as fast as possible.Night all, and bring on the morning.-darren

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-79612871830589126912009-08-15T08:28:00.003+01:002009-08-15T08:46:26.891+01:00

It's easy to get wrapped up in all the hype and stress of setting up an event of this type. You drift off planning and training. The emails we get however ground us.When some gives you £10 donation, a discount or a bit of kit and then explain why, those thoughts will stay with me whilst I push back the thousands of meters of the UK great peaks. Some of the ones that stick out was a discount given

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-88276278106349219842009-08-15T06:49:00.004+01:002009-08-15T07:08:22.902+01:00

We'd very much like to thank outboundfirstaid.co.uk, who helped dig us out of a last minute issue with main event food shortage. The kind directors jumped in and aided our short fall, thanks guys - REALLY appreciated.They also support and run a web page called www.summitsclub.com which organises charity climbs and provides sponsorship. A great example of an enterprising company giving something

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-11050922588705069242009-08-15T00:04:00.002+01:002009-08-15T00:15:17.680+01:00

Today has been a normal day, walking the dog, popping into to town to get some final bits and pieces chilling with my girlfriend. The whole day has had an air of stillness quiet almost like wandering through clouds, for those who have walked in the hills and mountains when the cloud base decides to drop and sit around your shoulders it adds a whole new aspect to where ever you are. And that is

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-17832395255670674162009-08-14T00:51:00.005+01:002009-08-14T01:10:15.893+01:00

I've spent so many weeks training thinking about training sleeping dreaming about training. Finally I have a few weeks off and all I can think I is have I trained enough, have I , have I really!!!!You know what as far as I can tell, I think "Yes I have". Obviously next week will be the real tell when I'm breathing out my derrier wondering why oh why I said Yes all those months ago.On that note

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-49258494092334193822009-08-13T06:04:00.002+01:002009-08-13T10:33:08.896+01:00

I now wish I'd bought a bus, the amount of kit seemed to be swelling, but after various amended kit lists we are on track to be able to pull out the car pack and leave for Scotland early Sunday.The protein, carb gels and isotonic drinks are being packed, apart from a lot of admin and bit of logistics today and Friday, the main bulk of the kit is sorted.I had a good fly around the mountains we are

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-51180714094414866442009-08-13T00:25:00.005+01:002009-08-13T01:05:29.409+01:00

A strange thing has happened over the last few weeks, I've become a scardey cat!Normally I bound round like Tigger, gamely unaware of the dangers that surround me. In my day to day job I am aware of health and safety related to outdoor events and in a previous job I also dealt with general health and safety so I'm not a complete idiot (I think). However you dont usuallly think these dangers are

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-73532540880335057422009-08-12T07:11:00.002+01:002009-08-12T07:46:48.910+01:00

I thought the training was hard enough, let alone all the small details of the last week. Our main event truck failed it's MOT on silly things, it should be fine again today [phew!], missing maps, missing kit, broken kit and nail-biting waiting for final kit from our sponsors.In one year Bryn's right from his last post, it's all been about the changes. I was a slightly overweight guy at 16 stone

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-54498383358180838052009-08-11T23:44:00.003+01:002009-08-12T07:11:41.880+01:00

In the services there is a saying;"All the gear & no idea"A year ago I had some road running trainers and a pair of walking boots, a few pairs of walking socks and trousers, a nice helly hansen and some running shorts. It all seemed enough. I've walked a few miles and run a few aswell. Wow how things have changed We've had some awesome support from Logo for polos, with wiking running tops and

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-55860504330046353782009-08-11T08:02:00.003+01:002009-08-11T08:20:08.778+01:00

Because for the last ten months the training has had to be pretty tough, so we got through the five days in one piece. Anyone will tell you that if they have got up and off Ben Nevis in under five hours - they know what pain was in their legs, add that to going up Ben More and Ben MacDui in the same day, I understand the emails we've been getting about "good luck & I'm glad it's you not me!".So

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-71749440808943368372009-08-10T23:30:00.003+01:002009-08-11T08:02:12.138+01:00

Wow 7 days from now my thighs will be aching my back a little sore and i'll be smiling....We will have completed day 1 and will be well on our way what a challenge. It feels similar to London Marathon week, I'm nervous but excited in the pit of my stomach is a little flutter ocasionnaly it starts disco dancing like 15 year old on his first date. I'm sure of my self one moment and then second

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-52752522542164753692009-08-10T21:41:00.003+01:002009-08-10T21:50:04.022+01:00

SIX DAYS!!, just six days left, this now feels like a kid waiting for Christmas. Today I packed everything, then unpacked, then weighed it, then ditched some stuff, then re-packed it, then adjusted it...three hours later I realised I'm just fussing about. To take my mind of the next six days I've started to strip down my mountain bike to re-spray it, this I'm hoping should take me a few days to

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-45124026245277642142009-08-08T05:44:00.002+01:002009-08-08T08:10:25.624+01:00

Now the hours and minutes are REALLY dropping off the days. With 8 days to us packing up and going, it's odd to sit down and think, "in 9 days I'll be on top of a mountain and running off back down it". It is hitting home the huge task of running and speed hiking up Ben Nevis, Ben MacDui, Snowdonia and 7 other peaks in just 5 days. Apart from the large milages between them, I'm hoping my battered

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-19380151054018427312009-07-20T12:28:00.002+01:002009-07-20T13:01:48.587+01:00

We have a HUGE week this one coming up as we head for our charity fundraising evening on the 26th July, in Dawlish. I hope the weather plays nice!!?I managed to train lightly this weekend. On the bike and some hill sprint, so feeling less locked in the house and feeling more with it now.Just think less than 28 days and we are on the first hill...It's very real now.-darren

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-71760876790049264692009-07-16T08:08:00.002+01:002009-07-16T08:24:41.958+01:00

Having Colitis [IBD], I can't actually tell if I'm nervous about the event or having a bad day?The days are frighteningly dropping off my little desktop calendar. When Friday lands, it'll just be one month and we are off! More kits is arriving daily, roof racks - check, roof box - check, water [thanks GanicWater our sponsor] - check, the list goes on. When you see all the stuff we have to take, I

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-33922923101406339172009-07-14T21:25:00.002+01:002009-07-14T21:31:43.760+01:00

I looked up from my desk at work today, only for a moment, and my eye caught the little flip over calender I have on the window ledge. In four weeks we'll be rushing around sorting out all the final items, packing our kit within a few days of leaving for the challenge.It's both exciting and thought provoking to have seen the 12 months from little light bulb moment to full on legging it up

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-38960839005039730642009-07-11T09:49:00.002+01:002009-07-11T09:59:29.670+01:00

Firstly to thoseout there who where following us on a weekly basis. I do apologise for the drop off in posts over the last 6 weeks.It has been an odd time for both of us it's Darrens second summer in his new job and my first summer in my new job. Honestly I dont hink either of us realised how busy life was going to get. During the winter it was great everyone else was sleepy and we where out

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-57966266243680272612009-07-10T07:48:00.002+01:002009-07-10T08:17:07.196+01:00

I have received a few emails from concerned supporters, as this blog been quiet for a couple of weeks. Let me update you:Bryn has been working very hard at fundraising [as always] and taking up the sharp end of the organisation for our fundraising day [FETE?] at the end of July.Yes sadly however I have taken a turn for the worst in the last four weeks and have been very ill. It's generally odd I

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-84240293004310478492009-07-10T07:38:00.002+01:002009-07-10T07:48:50.324+01:00

We have had to make the tough choice of dropping the Irish leg of our Challenge. The cost of the flights and land based travel with a tight schedule to boot was proving to be a step too far, we had after all insisted our focus stays fixed on collecting funding for our charities not wasting our efforts and funds.We have opted to increase the hight, length and endurance of our event with two more

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-38567771378016234312009-06-15T21:11:00.002+01:002009-06-15T21:15:55.322+01:00

I new this was going to be a challenge event, in more than one way. My IBS has kicked in big style and at the moment as Bryn gets the fundraising event rolling ever bigger. I sadly have had to rest it out again.Very frustrating, I'm not a back seat type of passenger guy, so this resting is driving me mad.With 7 weeks of training left, organising and planning our count down, it's all go.We have

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-67790390139303659862009-05-25T08:46:00.002+01:002009-05-25T08:58:48.810+01:00

Testing, difficult, painful, sporadic, clumsy, inefficient and misguided. Some of the words I'd use to describe our training even in January. We had the will, the determination but lacked the guidance.With the efforts of Southampton Solent University's Dr Bruce-low, we can now see the reward and the effort required. It's not just about effort but training smarter. We have four years of this type

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-47717109307739292232009-05-25T00:02:00.005+01:002009-05-25T08:45:20.675+01:00

Since the Marathon and our testing day at Southampton Solent we managed to fit in a session of hill sprints, I managed to fit in a couple of Tempo runs keeping to my newly identified heart rate zones to maximise the efficency of my training. I had a weeks holiday coming up and was planning a big training push to try and run at least ten to fifteen miles every day for five days. The the car broke

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-12538378605779405812009-05-20T06:40:00.002+01:002009-05-20T06:47:29.711+01:00

For me it's been a roller coaster over the last eight months. Loosing weight [all two stone of it!], changing diet, life style and the training. At some point it was going to come and bite me I was sure.At the moment I am recovering from a small remission of the IBS I have. It's knocked me out for a few weeks, whilst I get back on track with taking all the meds.Training is starting up again, it's

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-31138636452235735512009-05-04T20:01:00.005+01:002009-05-04T21:11:22.210+01:00

Doctors generally make people nervous, but when you are in a room with one that has a running machine, several assistants and a harness!?! You can't help feeling under the microscope.Ok, I'll wind back a bit.Wednesday the 29th of April, Bryn and myself dragged our weary legs down to Southampton Solent University for another of our training assessments. This knowing what was to come we both

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-76570790741951887892009-05-04T10:38:00.003+01:002009-05-04T20:01:25.953+01:00

What a day, a years worth of training, managing my diet and managed to shave 53 seconds off my finishing time.Sunday the 26th March 2009 the last ever Flora London Marathon, last year was my first marathon which just so happened to be the one hundredth year of the official marathon distance (set by the London marathon). I was honoured to run both this and last year dressed as Mr Tickle for

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-39033575271996241392009-04-26T07:50:00.002+01:002009-04-26T08:08:05.834+01:00

Today as Bryn wakes, just like I would be, he must be a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Running the http://www.london-marathon.co.uk, dressed as Mr Tickle with the rest of the guys for http://www.runleukaemia.org, must be a great feeling.I spoke to Bryn in the last few days, he's been downing the fluids and more concerned about how hot it'll be in his costume. He's also set himself an

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-91753378252991652842009-04-25T08:48:00.002+01:002009-04-25T08:54:51.358+01:00

With Bryn still turning in to one great big Carb ready for the London Marathon, I've training by myself foe the last few weeks. I've managed to run and hike about 65 miles on my days off. About half of that is running, so quite happy things are ticking along.I also managed a 18 miles in under four hours yesterday, I was ok, but I had to walk in the last 2 miles as my left foot is still blistered,

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-26531337806196313492009-04-23T10:30:00.002+01:002009-04-23T10:42:05.272+01:00

Seems facebook did not like the fact we were growing very quick in a day with 60 odd new friends. A real pain as all our friends and admins of the pages we were contacting people to join us said 'do it get some support, well done guys' then facebook, took us down? We have now fully read their Terms and built a different page for non-profit event. Such a shame we had lot all our friends listed and

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-76777307236878776352009-04-21T15:29:00.002+01:002009-04-21T15:35:32.906+01:00

BIG Thank you to everyone joining our facebook site in the last few days. Roughly 40 people have joined up and spreading the word. As you'll no doubt know by now we are trying to give £10,000 to each of our four benifeciary charities over the next 4 years to support their efforts. Help for Heroes, Children with Leukemia, NACC & Skill Force. If you feel you can spread the word or offer any support

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-71684358339015178322009-04-19T20:07:00.002+01:002009-04-19T20:25:48.582+01:00

Well Bryn is in the build up for the London Marathon, so he'll be one big Carb come this Saturday. To all those going look out for the guy dressed as Mr Tickle that can talk, run, dance, hop and collect money for the full 26 miles?As for me I'm happy I ran / hiked 23 miles on Dartmoor in just under 5 hrs 15 min, including losing one shoe in knee high mud [jumping in after is was not a highlight]

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-42248672546488280722009-04-16T14:56:00.003+01:002009-04-16T15:02:09.574+01:00

With Bryn running his little legs around London getting ready for the Marathon next week and my self running / hiking 25 miles this and next weekend. We'll be upping our training miles this month, that's for sure.We have had some exciting ups of late, Bryn's training more again - he also did very well in the recent 10K Endurancelife.com race. My left foot is healed and I'm back running in the

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-23955936877418651582009-04-13T17:51:00.004+01:002009-04-13T18:18:58.005+01:00

The whole UKEC camp has been training, working on logistics or generally getting our plans in order for the main event. I mean with just FOUR months left until we kick off, times a ticking!I personally had a huge boost this week with a personal message from none other than Dr. Ron Hill MBE and basically living running legend. Wiki states he's '... run three Olympic Marathons (Tokyo 1964, Mexico

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-19755709948048796522009-04-13T17:19:00.002+01:002009-04-13T17:50:40.713+01:00

I think the readers of this blog, a few sponsors and people who know me, know the last five or six weeks have been a nightmare for training. I get repaired and something else gives way.Sadly I know my IBS, by whatever form it's morphing in to these days, plays a large part in my daily life. Training can become tense and complicated affair, but still necessary. There's no way I'm slacking off,

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-17751027889871566442009-04-12T10:20:00.003+01:002009-04-13T17:19:56.520+01:00

At the begining it was all about fitting training around our lives, it has for a few weeks been about fitting our lives around training.Now and again life throws you a rope. Darren and I have often commented how different our training regimes have been to achieve the same goals. Some weeks training for me has been six days a week, I know some will say to much but it has been varied 3 days in the

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-62829799433781873412009-04-05T07:06:00.002+01:002009-04-05T07:30:19.677+01:00

As Bryn has said the Endurancelife event was set in a stunning location, staffed with people who actually wanted to be there, were motivated and supportive. A very well organised event.For me though it simply heaps more pain on the injury I already have. Bryn kindly left out in his post that at about 3.5k I was already suffering with the pace having not been able to muster any real runs in two

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-70584036389723627552009-04-04T20:13:00.004+01:002009-04-05T07:05:45.381+01:00

A few months back we where presented with a rare oppourtunity to enter 'real' races as part of our training. Gary Jolliffe kindly sponsored our places as part of the coastal trail series;www.endurancelife.com/event.asp?series=1As Darren mentioned in his last blog - all systems were go!. This was the first time the three of us where going to be running together Darren, Dan and myself. We where

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-59085737129250274112009-04-03T08:32:00.003+01:002009-04-03T10:16:40.483+01:00

Well here we are, 24 hours before our first race. Today is a matter of checking kit and checking kit again, prepping the truck and trying to stay relaxed!! Much easier said than done.In four and a half mouths time our main event takes off! We'll be attending the extremely well organised Coastal Trail Series in Cornwall;I know it is a bit self indulgent, but we would not be able to train the way

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-14579202086115442262009-04-02T11:32:00.002+01:002009-04-02T13:03:25.804+01:00

I managed a run today, only just, fast jog MIGHT BE A BETTER DESCRIPTION - but it still counts! I am not completely healed yet but confident I can get around a course at Endurancelife.com Cornwall Coastal event on Saturday.We'll be taking pics and of the new truck so check back soon.-darren Stumble It!

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-31902076542427102582009-04-01T08:02:00.002+01:002009-04-01T08:27:29.111+01:00

This last 10 days has simply been about 'resting', something I don't do very well. In that time though the main event vehicle is here with us, it's not ideal, but at the moment squeezing more MPH out of and tweaking it here and there. Plus the all important - getting the truck branded with all the sponsors and supporters, which was a huge task in itself. I ran out of space twice and ended up

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-69579200260644315442009-03-29T19:57:00.008+01:002009-03-29T20:35:05.144+01:00

As Darren stated he was more than a little broken, we had arranged a training session with Dan aswell (unfortunately Tim's work commitments had ruled him out of this training session). It was decided for me & Dan to stick to the training session as we had planned. We met up at a lay by just up from Okehampton Battle camp. The run planned was a short sharp burst up Rowtor across to West Mill Tor,

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-15753140477023483572009-03-27T06:55:00.002Z2009-03-27T07:09:44.102Z

Yes it's true, I am a muppet!You plan a run, you tell everyone the details the times and weather, the important check points, collect all the GPS kit, check everything is working, collect your team mate at 6:30 in the morning, prep your food intake the night before [carb up], wake at 5am...then monumentally forget your own trail running shoes!!This is what I did. I made two errors, [1] check your

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-60719044187956152932009-03-26T23:24:00.003Z2009-03-27T06:55:12.544Z

A nice little run.We had run this before crossing 23 Miles of Dartmoor, taking seven hours twenty seven minutes, we where shattered but please, but this time we where hoping to go a little quicker.We had an idea that we could run at somewhere close to fourteen minutes a mile bringing us in around six hours. we managed some where close to twelve minute miles.Running the first part amazingly well

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-58752501660685872392009-03-11T20:20:00.002Z2009-03-11T20:24:26.911Z

Our first test is coming up soon. We are entered in the Endurancelife, Cornwall stage race. We'll be competing against runners from all over the UK. It will be good to test the nerves and get some practice and tips. -Darren Stumble It!

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-59058570221944135802009-03-08T20:11:00.002Z2009-03-08T20:21:42.423Z

With an event such as this it's easy to get caught up in the moment and forget the causes, luckily Bryn and myself just want to deliver what we promised £8,848.00 for the charities.I'm still uncomfortable with having to promote ourselves in the media, it feels odd. The event is the most important thing to me, without the event we'd not be able to raise the funds for our worthy charities.As the

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-78047704414786191152009-03-01T15:37:00.002Z2009-03-08T20:10:57.756Z

We shifted locations to Wales this weekend for a spot of main event training. One of the hills on our challenge is Pen Y Fan, located in the south of Brecon Beacons National Park. It is a popular area and we new getting there early would make sense.Saturday was one of those odd days, not warm, not cold but a bit damp. We were going to a short horse shoe type route, leaving through a car park and

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-65354962761702302702009-02-27T10:30:00.003Z2009-02-27T18:38:13.055Z

I must have been slightly deluded to think juggling my time between work and UKEC would be easy. This week, I've hit some big deadlines to at work, so training has been walking/jogging in everyday and a few weight sets. We are off to Wales Saturday for some bigger mountains and harsher conditions. We are keen to test out our new OMM main event sacs, new Northface footwear and really test out the

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-71544652694837322009-02-22T08:09:00.002Z2009-02-22T08:36:44.025Z

Hiking and jogging 24 miles last week did leave some deep aches in both our bodies. There's no external work this weekend. I'm concentrating on web work and 45 mins of cardio on the elliptical trainer and light weights work out on Saturday and Sunday.My heal got pretty cut up last week and stuffing it in a shoe within 6 days would have been a bit silly. With such a big goal and so much distance

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-57122825497936771782009-02-22T00:41:00.008Z2009-02-22T08:08:49.546Z

After each training session we seem to be full of adrenalin and endorphins as we keep having these mad conversations that go along the lines of; "I really enjoyed that" "wow that was brilliant" "I know next week let's.........."This is usually the point where we agree to double, triple our distance suggest almost running marathons across the moor. Now I remember why we ended up running,

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-59247032460914871692009-02-15T22:31:00.001Z2009-02-16T08:00:17.527Z

Building up stamina and endurance is not as easy as picking up a dumbbell or twenty minutes on a running machine. We have to get out, push time on the trail and dig in.Today we pushed that notch up a level. Both Bryn and myself know hiking, running and bouncing up over and down ten of the UK's highest peaks in five days [or less], is tough and without testing ourselves weekly we know by August it

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-21810037200543977892009-02-07T13:08:00.002Z2009-02-11T06:47:17.761Z

I knew this was going to be a tough training day, when we had to dump the car a mile away from the car park as its back end was sliding all over the road. We did the usual and unloaded all our kit and changed to match what was a surprised and freshly white north moor. Base layered up we set off moving away from the military camp and off over hills. It was not long before we realised that the snow

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-14985032810040945982009-02-07T12:15:00.004Z2009-02-07T12:55:01.398Z

I've never run in the snow before, I've hiked in it, built a few snow men in my time but never run. Although today was cold at about two or three below freezing, thankfully this week without the icy wind, it felt quite pleasant. I guess the bright sun helped too.I started out today with a road jog and then over Haytor and off for a short run. After about 20mins the terrain got the better of me.

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-34967809441619874792009-02-06T09:29:00.001Z2009-02-07T12:14:09.310Z

The Moor is covered in about 1ft to 2ft snow pockets, today I tried out some new cross footwear. The snow was ideal, tomorrow we intend to run, so I just wanted to get the feel of them, before sticking some miles in.- Darren Stumble It!

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-15884208756214930802009-02-02T18:14:00.002Z2009-02-02T18:46:07.878Z

Here we are, less than SEVEN months to go and the training is getting harder and more extreme. Training has been hard on me, but every week we push each other that bit more, bounce off each other. We have a lot of different strengths, but I guess that what really makes a team click.We doubled our running this week, with our eye's on a 44Km north to south Dartmoor hike looming this month with a

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-75759568990368203802009-01-31T10:49:00.002Z2009-01-31T11:18:33.197Z

Running in the fog is no fun. I landed, what could only be described as a diving, front rolling, dive bomb off a rock today [if it was an olympic diving event, I think it would have been a good 6]. I seriously have no idea how I did not pick up a serious injury.As I lay there working out which bits of me still worked, I was surprised that everything was moving and no cuts? As I looked up, I could

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-19919538766362808022009-01-29T21:29:00.003Z2009-01-29T21:41:34.543Z

Training as Darren says, has finally become the norm again the Christmas break really messed both of us up. Also the same as Darren I have given up alcohol completely and haven't touched a cup of tea or coffe since new years eve. It has been a roller coaster of a ride cutting out the caffeine lead to headaches and fatigue like never before for over 4 days. The benefits have been finally getting a

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-27279822187599038542009-01-29T10:53:00.002Z2009-01-29T11:20:25.262Z

When I've listened to people say things like "...this experience has changed my life", I've shrugged, thought it over dramatic and changed channel or if in person glazed over. If I dig deeper in to this, it really means I need to find my own life changing experiences, without them I guess I'll just be another guy in the pub when I'm 60 looking back on my life referring constantly to the joys I

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-35673400711491807062009-01-27T21:42:00.002Z2009-01-27T21:48:54.993Z

Good days and bad daysGood thoughts and bad thoughtsIt's knowing that the aching thighs and stiff calfs, tired mornings and 27 days of not a single beer, cup of coffee or even tea is all going to be worth it.we've got about 7 months left and that scares me sensless, hey ho let's keep on going.Bryn

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-16985216682421821042009-01-25T20:18:00.003Z2009-01-25T20:54:48.969Z

During the week sitting at my desk, I devised a nice training session for this Sunday. We would jog down Bone Hill road to the base of the road and jog up, twice! Sounds nice and easy, but for Bone Hill is a wicked mile and half of straight up all the way. It's a really calf burner and lung blaster!I felt this week we have had so much rain we were in danger of giving ourselves an unnecessary

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-86305812630584369462009-01-23T18:05:00.002Z2009-01-25T20:17:39.978Z

Bryn's entry this week painted the picture well. We had the lot snow on the way up the moor, we actually had to ditch our car [my thermo had -4 on the dash] as the snow and ice was skidding the vehicle something chronic. We started in the snow, walked in to dense fog, then the snow and hail started just befor the wind really started cutting in to us, when we finally made it to the car it was

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-68633432021153593012009-01-21T22:55:00.003Z2009-01-25T20:09:39.553Z

Well I think you can guess from the picture that Darren's calf has improved he has a few tales to tell, He's been sneaking out for training sessions with out me!!We managed to get out again, god it was needed, sub zero temperatures, driving winds and Hilly our snow man!! Darren was gettin a little too friendly with the wee fella. So we had to leave him behind [the snow man, not Darren].Trainig

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-48370386939634732482009-01-12T22:28:00.004Z2009-01-25T20:07:09.476Z

What a right pain!I've certainly damaged my calf. It's off to the Doctors for me as, movement is difficult at best and strapping is doing nothing.It's not the first nor the last the winter will bring. A better warm up routine and footwear selection might be in order next week. At the moment unsure how long I'm going to have to take it easy for. Will still training later this week but will purely

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-80975543553003522042009-01-11T19:33:00.003Z2009-01-12T22:27:55.795Z

The weirdest of feelings, I feel like I'm surrounded by cotton wool. I think my body for the first time ever has actually been affected by the seasons. I feel like I'm waking up from hibernation!I've struggled to get motivated, fighting with my conscious about going to the gym, even about going for a simple road run. Last weeks epic on the moor helped me a little, this has been my first week back

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-41529842060656093002009-01-10T14:44:00.008Z2009-01-11T19:33:05.281Z

BEEP _ BEEP _BEEP, is by now the normal sound of my Saturday morning dreams being shattered by the alarm.All my kit is ready from the night before, some porridge and a banana and I'm off in to the dark.I arrive on Dartmoor, as the darkness clears I can see the it's very icy, my camera flash bounces off the frosty grass.Deciding to slowly get ready and give some time for the light to catch up with

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-27120040557542366212009-01-05T09:37:00.003Z2009-01-10T14:42:42.979Z

We have been keeping busy with family and friends over Xmas, but with work back on the agenda and more UKEC organisation beckoning. The festive season is officially over and 2009 is off like a rocket! On Sunday 4th we decided to attempt a tough training session. With the help of a friend [thanks Tim], we were dropped at Oakhampton camp on the edge of north Dartmoor. The idea was to have a multi

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-66867824622842568282009-01-01T10:13:00.006Z2009-01-01T11:00:43.528Z

Happy New year everyone and what better way to start the year than supporting us in a new way?From today until October 2009 you can buy from our UKEC online shop. Everything bought in the shop will go towards our charity fundraising pot. As usual all the proceeds from our online sales will be listed on our main site.There are lots of various items from pet bowls, to calenders, T-Shirts, mugs,

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-74040061815149111112008-12-28T22:34:00.005Z2009-01-10T19:47:44.812Z

Without getting political about access rights to land, erosion of popular routes or charities using the three peaks far too much.As I have stated before we are highly sensitive to the environmental impact our challenge could make, we are doing everything possible to reduce our event logistics and resources.There are many responsible walkers and hikers that visit all the peaks we hope to climb

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-86807289789985842402008-12-27T14:58:00.002Z2008-12-27T17:38:46.108Z

Christmas, ahh a time of peace, family, gifts, friends and HUGE excesses! I scrapped through...just.Undertaking the UKEC'09 event was a rather large commitment in its own right. To move over rough ground at pace and running up hills, hiking in the dark are all made possible only with our growing fitness. All of that can be pushed back with far too much drink and food at Xmas.We are stepping up

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-26697377765854118342008-12-25T07:33:00.002Z2008-12-25T07:40:45.720Z

What a great end of year, supporters, sponsors and our charities all helping us push our event, train harder and that makes us smile. No training today, Bryn and I will with family commitments will connect up in about 8 days time. We'll be looking after own fitness over the Xmas period. I hit the trail yesterday with a rather cheeky 7:30am run around Haytor and the valley's behind the quarries.

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-55631121115778825992008-12-23T15:00:00.005Z2008-12-23T16:23:18.622Z

Some amongst us think you know I'll go running because I'm fat/ unfit/ need a challenge... We take up this sport and we run our first mile then 10 kilometres, then a half marathon. Some of us achieve the ultimate and run a marathon, what a day and what a feeling when you get to that one. Our friends and colleagues make comments like oh yeah your fit because you run, with slight embarrassment we

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-15209708350909541592008-12-22T18:45:00.002Z2008-12-22T18:47:33.130Z

Action packed duo undertake large UK endurance event, they plan to run, hike and crawl their way over TEN of, N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England's most rugged, highest and dangerous peaks. In a mad dash of blisters in August 2009.December 22nd, 2008 - UKEC'09 is a compact, dedicated and non-profit event team aiming to complete their goal within a short four or five days. You can visit our

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-5759001167379845202008-12-21T21:12:00.002Z2008-12-21T23:15:39.849Z

A nice jaunt up a hill and round the corner was as Darren described it. Straight out the back of Okehampton, just past the Royal Marines Battle Camp. We're trying to up the training now road running and gym sessions during the week, and at weekends it's hiking session on the Saturday, then a trail runing session on the Sunday. It has been going well. So we decided to turn it up a notch. The

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-79230764998644519062008-12-21T00:11:00.002Z2008-12-21T00:17:37.345Z

The main event website has had some tweaks. If you pop along to www.ukeverestchallenge.com - you'll see sponsors logo's added, both Bryn & my sections now have pictures that expand, links updates and donations page is slowly getting updated. Plus the first edition of the newsletter has been added to the front page.

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-61997053203584674662008-12-14T16:25:00.002Z2008-12-14T19:06:01.740Z

BIG week for Bryn and myself as we are off to Southampton Solent University, where laboratory Director & Senior lecturer Dr Stewart Bruce-Low, a BASES accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist and his students are quite possibly going to make one off us pass out and the other one throw up!His words not mine: "We will look to undertake body composition (pinching your fat bits), VO2 max and lactate

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-33719265698832772892008-12-08T14:43:00.003Z2008-12-08T15:04:24.552Z

SMALL DONATION = BIG HEART!£1, sounds quite a small doesn't it? Loose change or something you would noramally find behind the sofa cushions? WE WANT YOUR £1 COINS NOW!! If every person that visits this blog and our main site donated a just single £1 coin, we could have reached our target and much more already. We hit nearly 600 hits a day last week, and excellent result BUT imagine if we could

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4813824303795752685.post-83588394808040155902008-12-07T21:40:00.004Z2008-12-09T16:14:05.806Z

Our training has been going well, to ensure that we don't get stale we like to mix it up a little, this has meant reversing routes praying for different weather conditions and planning for days away to our target peaks and mountains. Realising that our next eight months or so are going to get harder and harder we are now break ourselves in with a nice hike and then a short snappy run the

Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017314196747165029noreply@blogger.com0