What a special moment on the 30^th day of the month at precisely 3:30:30, I left the car and attempted to complete the three peaks challenge – climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in under 24 hours.  To make it harder, I was doing this challenge solo, with only the aid of driver Andy.

Ben Nevis (Scotland):

I was really looking forward to climbing Ben Nevis and becoming one of only a few people to have done this as a solo climber, so off I went earlier than was originally planned due to the adverse weather expected later in the evening.  The weather started off reasonably well and I made good progress, but about 2 hours into the climb, the weather started getting worse, with visibility dropping and stronger wind and rain.  I was feeling extremely confident about reaching the top and it wasn’t long before I could see various point markers showing the way to the summit and finally there is was after around 2 hours 30 minutes.  I joined a few other people for some photographs and then I needed to get back down – well the scenes weren’t worth hanging around for anyway because of all the cloud!

I pretty much ran down the mountain, and it only took just over an hour and 40 to get down, so I completed the entire climb and descent in 4 hours 12 minutes.  A quick change and it was off to Scafell Pike, one of the most complicated climbs for navigating in the dark, and so it proved to be….

Scafell Pike (England)

We arrived at around 1.15am, after getting about an hour’s sleep en route, with the weather  getting far worse as we approached the start.

I set off around 1.40am in pitch dark, walking alongside a raging river, although dark the head torch was working – always a bonus!

The route was pretty good, and then it seemed to disappear, looking at the map, I knew I had to cross the river at somepoint, however the path seemed to carry on to the left of the raging waters – so I followed it, then things seemed to get a bit more difficult and I found myself heading up a slope which just got steeper and steeper.

I was soon on my hands and knees heading up scree (loose stones) and long wet grass and rocks, I sat, and looked up at what seemed like the top of a ridge, so I carried on. I then sat down and looked at the map again and I said to myself oh bother! (think it was a little ruder than that).

I decided that I needed to retrace my steps – or more to the point slide down the side of the mountain on my backside. I felt that it was safer to slide down the grass, as opposed to the scree, in order not to relase any rocks from above.

(picture shows where I ended up getting lost – 350metres up)

I finally made it back to the crossing point after following the river back and bumped into a family that was dong the three peaks who I met on Ben Nevis. They had already done Scafell before and knew the crossing point, so I joined them for a little while.

 I started to make better progress again, until the path kept disappearing and reappearing, and then the family and I realised we were slightly lost again and had to do some serious navigation yet again.  We managed to finally find a track after veering off to the left, and met someone coming back down as they had given up due to the fact that visibility was down to about 10 metres.  They joined us and we successfully found the markers and made it to the peak – again the views were terrible, but at least it was now daylight!

I then left and headed back down as the sun started to come up, although couldn’t actually see the sun but at least I could see the track.  I came to the crossing at the river again, and it seemed to have got worse and ended up stepping about a foot into the water so the next 30minutes or so my feet were soaked.

I made it back down to the car, after exactly 5 hours, probably losing about an hour in getting lost, which meant there was a little worry about making the three peaks in under 24hours.

Snowdon (Wales)

We arrived at the base of Snowdon around 11am, so luckily time was still on my side. After reaching the Miners trail, the weather was so much better, in fact the sun came out for 10 minutes, however along the route I spoke to a number of people they said that the weather was quite bad on the tops.

The route was so much easier than the first two climbs, and more scenic as I could actually see! After an hour the route then got steeper, and the temperature dropped.  The route was a little slower towards the summit, due to the amount of people on the mountain, however, I still made pretty good progress and got to the summit after 2 hours 8 minutes.

I started to head back down, my quads (thighs) were really starting to hurt now but I knew I needed to get back and complete the hardest of all my challenges so far.  After 3 hours and 47 minutes I reached the car and was over the moon that I had completed the three peaks in 23 hours and 23 minutes.

I felt slightly overwhelmed by the fact that not only had I completed the three peaks in under 24 hours (thereby properly completing challenge number 9), but I had done the whole thing solo, which not many people can lay claim to.

As for me, I now move on to challenge number 10. Yet again I hope that my efforts inspire you to DO30, so please sponsor me and help me support 30 charities.

 Just visit: www.do30campaign.com

The story for this challenge really started 2 weeks beforehand when I started my training. No long term training plan – just an intense 2 week bikefest.  Big thanks to Southwater Leisure Centre for the use of their exercise bikes.

Even worse, was the fact that up until 7 days before the race I didn’t even have a bike!  So off I went to Southwater Cycles and being the great team they are, they agreed to support the DO30 campaign with a free loan of a bike and helmet (essential for any bike ride).

I finally picked up the bike only 4 days before the race and had 2 short rides on it. Knowing how much it was going to hurt my rear end, I wasn’t going to spend too long on the bike before the big race! On a side note, I’ve no idea how these top riders enjoy sitting on something that feels like a rock for several hours at a time!

Anyway, on race day, I was joined by 26,999 other cyclists and it was great to see such a wide range of people taking part.

The first 10 miles was a bit of a mare, as I kept having to stop at various pinchpoints as we rode through the streets of London, but once we hit the countryside it was a clearer run. It is true to say that once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget, however some need a little more practice using cleats, as I did see the odd rider fall over – I was so glad I chose not to use them.

As we reached another couple of pinch points en route, going up a couple of hills, I got chatting to a few people. One nutter said that he had hoped it was going to be a little quicker because he was going to Brighton and then cycling all the way back to London. It then dawned on me that in September I will be travelling 190miles along the Coasto to Coast route! So today was just a warm up really…

I was heading for half way and reaching familiar territory, as I cycled along the roads that I usually take to get to work around Copthorne and Turners Hill. I had my first real stop here as I was a little hungry. I noticed a lad on his own selling a few bits and pieces and bought some bananas, a bottle of water and some horrible chocolate rice thing that people seem to eat for breakfast! Chatting to the lad, it turned out it was his birthday and he went to Imberhorne School, so Happy Birthday to him and I hope that he spoke to Mr Hill to say he saw me.  Just before I went I told him he needed to put up his prices!

Anyway feeling good again, I headed to the BIG HILL, climbing steeply up to Devil’s Dyke. I’m not ashamed to say it, half way up I had to walk, mainly due to the fact I hadn’t really eaten since 6am – well that’s my story and I am sticking to it!

I stopped, as expected, at marshall point: 130

I then glided, hitting an extremely fast pace down the hill into Brighton and to the finish line, past the site of Challenge 1 and finishing in a time of 4 hours 54 minutes.

I was happy to have completed another challenge. However, I must convey my sincere condolences to the family of the person that died during the event. I hope his family can be proud of what he achieved.

As for me, I move on to challenge number 9. Yet again I hope that my efforts inspire you to DO30, so please sponsor me and help me support 30 charities.

Just go to www.justgiving.com/do30

We had a training session before doing the walk, which included how to do it, what to think about, what happens and then the psychology at work.  Scott Bell, Guiness World Record holder, was on hand to explain the mentality needed to achieve the feat. To demonstrate this he requested a volunteer – so obviously I had to put myself forward! He held the pointed end of an arrow to his throat and I had to hold a plank of wood in my hands against the other end. He then jerked his neck forward to snap the arrow in half.

I was impressed! Then I realised that he wanted me to do the same! It’s not every day that you place the sharp point of an arrow on your throat, but I knew I could do it. With a quick movement forwards I forced the arrow towards the wood and it snapped in half – and thankfully the blood did not flow!

Well after snapping an arrow with my neck, firewalking was going to be easy! There was a superb crowd down on the Brighton sea front and I got to meet the Deputy Mayor of Brighton again, as she opened the proceedings, surprised that I was doing this crazy stunt.

The temparature was over 560 degrees – and with my crazy hat on – it was time to take a little walk…

The first attempt felt like walking on very hot sand. You decide when you want to go – and you go – it’s as simple as that. 

I was up for more, so then proceeded to have a further 4 goes! Unfortunately I had to finish at 5, as the organisers had to pack up.

A superb job by Adventure Unlimited for organising the event and all the other participants for completing a challenge of a lifetime.

A word to anyone who has ever thought about doing a silly thing like walking on fire – don’t just think about it – CHOOSE your challenge, ACT it out, then who knows – you might just CHANGE your life! Just make sure you do it with an organised event.

Well I didn’t go to hell for walking on fire, it was 7^th heaven and now it’s on to challenge 8 – the London to Brighton Bike Ride on 20^th June.

If you fancy sponsoring me then please go to www.justgiving.com/do30

FIREWALKING

 Challenge 6 was always going to be a tough one – completing the 26.2 miles of the greatest marathon in the world and on its 30^th anniversary no less – very appropriate for the DO30 campaign. Trying to fit training into my busy schedule was a challenge in itself. Coming down with swine flu after my very first training run was not a good omen! Thankfully I reached the weekend of the marathon with no injuries and feeling confident.

On the Saturday, the day before the event, I headed up to the London Excel centre to register. While up there, I was one of only a handful of people that managed to get a photograph with Sir Richard Branson. Head gear in place, I grabbed the attention of his PR person and successfully secured his support for the DO30 campaign (well a pose for a photo at least!).

After this, it was back off home to get ready for my 2 hour hair appointment, at Coco’s in Soutwater, to get my hair coloured in 30 different shades to represent my 30 charities. Over the past 2 months I’ve had to grow my hair so it could be spiked up for the marathon. Thanks to all of you who have greeted me with comments such as “Have you had your hair permed?” (thanks Nan) and “What have you done to your hair?” The things I’ve had to put up with for a good cause!

It was then time for mass pasta eating and to get ready for the Marathon with an early night.

I woke at 5.15 in the morning and joined a few other people on the 6.04 train from Horsham to the Big Smoke.

I arrived in good time, had an interview with the NSPCC TV cameras, got rid of my bag, which I was hoping to see at the end of the race and 4 toilet trips and some last minute munchies later, I was at the start, waiting for the GUN in the pouring rain!

The run started off really well. I was nice and relaxed, and after another toilet stop at 500 yards, I thought nothing was going to stop me until the end. How wrong I was!

The first 8 miles were fine and the atmosphere was superb. The crowds were massive and every so often you run past a band, radio station, drummers or people playing trumpets etc – the vibe is absolutely fantastic.

At 9 miles my knee was already playing me up – but I knew it would so I had prepared for that, but not the agony that was to develop. At 12 miles the great sight of Tower Bridge loomed before me and then I saw the DO30 team that had come down to watch. My time at the halfway point was 2:08:02

Then at 14 miles, my left knee effectively gave up – but I was not giving up. I want to complete 30 challenges this year and nothing was going to stop me, despite the pain.  From then on it was a case of a little running and, embarrassing to say, walking. The more the miles went on, the more I saw people either dropping out or being helped by St John’s Ambulance staff, so at least I was still moving.

I then started chatting to another guy, who was also running for the NSPCC. Like me, he expected a good time, but our bodies were not listening to our heads or our hearts. I think both of us enjoyed chatting along the route and thinking – let’s just soak up the atmosphere.

Three things really rubbed it in – being overtaken by Sir Richard Branson, a camel, and the final nail in the coffin was the Caterpillar (34 runners chained together)! 

I got running again the last 2 miles and the end was finally in sight. I was in agony passing the finishing line. I felt I had let people down in regards to my time, but I still have another 24 challenges to go – so bring on the next challenge! My finishing time was 5:16:05. Would I do it all again? Hell yeah!

A huge thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far, especially to Printzcharmin for producing the DO30 Team t-shirts. In addition, a special thanks to my family and friends who came down to watch me, including my daughter Ellie who led me back, limping all the way, to Victoria station, carrying the London A-Z under her arm to make sure we didn’t get lost!

Team getting ready for the DO30 Hair Style

An early perm

comments please

Lacey completed Master Piece