September 6th 2019: Offa's Dyke One Week to Go...
September 6th 2019: Offa's Dyke One Week to Go...
Well its nearly time for the big off. My big training miles are behind me and its time to finish getting myself organised. This time next week I will be well on my way and finding out how good my legs and overnight navigation are as I head north on Offa's Dyke.
I've been reliably informed that the route is in the region of 185 miles and involves just shy of 30,000 feet of ascent and descent. The challenge will be to keep those two numbers as close to that as possible and not add too much extra on - which is easier said than done when you factor in fatigue, hunger, human error and whatever the weather has to offer! It promises to be a real adventure and I can't wait to get stuck into it and find out how I cope.
Its probably a good time to reflect on where I've come from over the past couple of years. After struggling with injuries for a few years I was working towards full fitness again ahead of an attempt at the Lake District's 24 hour fell running challenge - The Bob Graham Round, however that was about to change, as I was involved in a messy bike crash, the result? Concussion, tinnitus, my hearing was affected, and I had a new collection of scars from some fresh road rash. The icing on the cake came when I found out that I needed to have ligament reconstruction surgery to my right hand.
It could have been worse I know, but it was pretty demoralising on all counts! Still I vowed to do what I could, when I could and work with each of those impairments one by one to get back on my feet again. A few days before my operation I was out on the Cumbrian Fells. Two days after my plaster cast was removed and replaced with a moulded plastic one, I was running a half marathon again which was very liberating. After a a lot of training, preparation, as well as a few ups and downs, I stood on the steps of The Moot Hall one year ago having negotiated the 42 peaks Lake District Peaks and all of the miles in between to complete The Bob Graham Round in under 24 hours. Following on from that I built up to the Snowdonian equivalent - The Paddy Buckley Round in July this year. It has been an absolutely fantastic journey. The rest story goes much further back...but I'll save that for another time
I've fancied "doing" Offa's Dyke for a long time, but its only been the past couple of years that "doing" it in this way has become a realistic challenge. Having grown up within sight of the northern end in Prestatyn and lived in South Wales for a few years that only made the idea more personal. Indeed my first "Peak" was when I climbed Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range - rather fittingly will be just about the last big summit to negotiate as a aim to complete to adventure. So it really will feel like travelling from home to home. In fact if I stood on top of the summit on a good day my parents could almost see me from their home...all of which is very fitting as my mum is no longer able to climb mountains. So I'm dedicating this and my other big runs this year to help raise funds for Alzheimer's Society. My big hope is that in some of our lifetimes a diagnosis of dementia will not always present the outlook that our loved ones and their families currently suffer.
My fundraising page can be found here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-portal/fundraiserPage?pageId=1042732
I've trained long and hard for a number of years, but especially over the past couple of years. To prepare for these sorts of challenges I've trained in every weather condition imaginable, white out conditions, torrential rain, snow, ice, gale force winds, day, night, summer and winter not to mention all of the terrain that I've had to negotiate. Its simply impossible, or plain foolish to think that you can prepare for this type of challenge by sitting out bad conditions or taking the easy option. On many occasions I've finished a long run or challenge and been exhausted, cold, wet and hungry. In my case I know that when I'm done I can get a warm shower, a proper feed, some rest and go home to my family at the end of the day or night. Sometimes that can't come soon enough. But spending a lot of time working in a city centre brings into focus just how bad things are for those who don't have most of that. Offa's Dyke will take me a few days to complete, but at the end I will recover. Imagine not having most of those comforts and knowing that all you have is a sleeping bag, a cardboard box and whatever handouts you can amass. Every single homeless person has a story to tell - nobody sets out to sleep in doorways so I've been moved to also raise funds for The Street Support Network who carry out invaluable work for who do not have a roof over their heads, to help them find a way off the streets.
To donate to Street Support please visit this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-quicke
Thank you so much to those of you who have generously sponsored and supported me to date - I have been bowled over by your generosity. If you want to follow my progress along Offa's Dyke starting next Friday evening (13th) , simply find King Offa's Dyke at the following website https://racedrone.net/events/ and my gps tracker will be showing my progress.
I have not looked at the weather forecast yet. I can't change it, so I will take what comes. But one thing is for sure - its going to be a great challenge!
Well its nearly time for the big off. My big training miles are behind me and its time to finish getting myself organised. This time next week I will be well on my way and finding out how good my legs and overnight navigation are as I head north on Offa's Dyke.
I've been reliably informed that the route is in the region of 185 miles and involves just shy of 30,000 feet of ascent and descent. The challenge will be to keep those two numbers as close to that as possible and not add too much extra on - which is easier said than done when you factor in fatigue, hunger, human error and whatever the weather has to offer! It promises to be a real adventure and I can't wait to get stuck into it and find out how I cope.
Its probably a good time to reflect on where I've come from over the past couple of years. After struggling with injuries for a few years I was working towards full fitness again ahead of an attempt at the Lake District's 24 hour fell running challenge - The Bob Graham Round, however that was about to change, as I was involved in a messy bike crash, the result? Concussion, tinnitus, my hearing was affected, and I had a new collection of scars from some fresh road rash. The icing on the cake came when I found out that I needed to have ligament reconstruction surgery to my right hand.
It could have been worse I know, but it was pretty demoralising on all counts! Still I vowed to do what I could, when I could and work with each of those impairments one by one to get back on my feet again. A few days before my operation I was out on the Cumbrian Fells. Two days after my plaster cast was removed and replaced with a moulded plastic one, I was running a half marathon again which was very liberating. After a a lot of training, preparation, as well as a few ups and downs, I stood on the steps of The Moot Hall one year ago having negotiated the 42 peaks Lake District Peaks and all of the miles in between to complete The Bob Graham Round in under 24 hours. Following on from that I built up to the Snowdonian equivalent - The Paddy Buckley Round in July this year. It has been an absolutely fantastic journey. The rest story goes much further back...but I'll save that for another time
I've fancied "doing" Offa's Dyke for a long time, but its only been the past couple of years that "doing" it in this way has become a realistic challenge. Having grown up within sight of the northern end in Prestatyn and lived in South Wales for a few years that only made the idea more personal. Indeed my first "Peak" was when I climbed Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range - rather fittingly will be just about the last big summit to negotiate as a aim to complete to adventure. So it really will feel like travelling from home to home. In fact if I stood on top of the summit on a good day my parents could almost see me from their home...all of which is very fitting as my mum is no longer able to climb mountains. So I'm dedicating this and my other big runs this year to help raise funds for Alzheimer's Society. My big hope is that in some of our lifetimes a diagnosis of dementia will not always present the outlook that our loved ones and their families currently suffer.
My fundraising page can be found here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-portal/fundraiserPage?pageId=1042732
I've trained long and hard for a number of years, but especially over the past couple of years. To prepare for these sorts of challenges I've trained in every weather condition imaginable, white out conditions, torrential rain, snow, ice, gale force winds, day, night, summer and winter not to mention all of the terrain that I've had to negotiate. Its simply impossible, or plain foolish to think that you can prepare for this type of challenge by sitting out bad conditions or taking the easy option. On many occasions I've finished a long run or challenge and been exhausted, cold, wet and hungry. In my case I know that when I'm done I can get a warm shower, a proper feed, some rest and go home to my family at the end of the day or night. Sometimes that can't come soon enough. But spending a lot of time working in a city centre brings into focus just how bad things are for those who don't have most of that. Offa's Dyke will take me a few days to complete, but at the end I will recover. Imagine not having most of those comforts and knowing that all you have is a sleeping bag, a cardboard box and whatever handouts you can amass. Every single homeless person has a story to tell - nobody sets out to sleep in doorways so I've been moved to also raise funds for The Street Support Network who carry out invaluable work for who do not have a roof over their heads, to help them find a way off the streets.
To donate to Street Support please visit this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-quicke
Thank you so much to those of you who have generously sponsored and supported me to date - I have been bowled over by your generosity. If you want to follow my progress along Offa's Dyke starting next Friday evening (13th) , simply find King Offa's Dyke at the following website https://racedrone.net/events/ and my gps tracker will be showing my progress.
I have not looked at the weather forecast yet. I can't change it, so I will take what comes. But one thing is for sure - its going to be a great challenge!
Comments
Post a Comment