Two Months On........

Two months after my DNF at the Stour Valley Path 100km race (SVP100), I went back to put things right and finish the task I had started.  An early train to Newmarket ensured I hit the trail at sunrise, determined to complete the 62 miles.  This time I was on my own and carrying my 8Kg rucksack; this containing the kit that I have been refining ready for The Spine Race in January.  

The SVP100 had been my second of three challenges that I have set myself to help raise funds and awareness of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and I wanted to complete the route (and the challenge) so as to not short change those that have been generous enough to sponsor me. 

I am very happy to say I completed the 100km in around 15 hours - not a great time, but I was carrying the extra weight, there were less daylight hours and I did not have the benefit of the support at the check points along the route, available during the race.  

As well as wanting to finish what I had started back in September, yesterday also formed part of my current training regime, working towards the 268 mile Spine Race, my third challenge, which is in January.  So once I had completed the 62 miles, I turned north and walked to Ipswich..........giving me a total distance of around 75 miles in one go.

I still have some way to go before reaching my fund raising target, so if you can spare a few pounds please click below:

Thank you

The Stour Valley Path 100km a week on.

I think I may well have been putting off typing up this particular blog post.

This time last week I was slogging my way along the 62 miles of the Stour Valley, but I only made it as far as mile 42.

The start in Newmarket

I was disappointed to say the least, not to have completed the whole course, but I was falling behind the cut-off times and the checkpoints were closing ahead of me.  

CP 2

Deep down I think I could have pushed on further and maybe even have finished.....but the organisers would have all gone home by that time!  So I stopped at the 4th of 6 checkpoints. There were 97 people entered, 10 failed to start and 31 did not finish - of those DNFs I had gone the 2nd furthest.

Coming into CP3

It is now 7 days later and I have had a chance to think about why things didn't go as planned and also to look ahead to my next challenge, learning from the SVP experience.  My legs have recovered quickly and I feel ready to start training again; this time I will not be trying to fit it in around the demanding challenge of sailing around the UK and I can now concentrate my efforts on preparation for The Spine Race, a far tougher race!

CP4 and my finish!

Stour Valley Path 100km Ultra Race

In 5 days time I will be running 100km (62 miles) in 13 hours as part of the Stour Valley Path 100 Ultra Race, raising money for EACH. 
I have never covered this distance in one go and I have done very little training for this event due to my sailing challenge that I have just completed.

I would welcome any support that you can give me, either financial through my charity website:

(http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/stevepaul)

or by cheering me along the route or moral support through your comments on FB and Twitter.
The race (http://www.svp100.co.uk) starts in Newmarket 14 September at 09.14am and finishes in Cattawade in Essex - full details can be found by following the link.

I will blog a race report next week.

Just a thought ...........

“The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,

To lose one's health is more,

To lose one's soul is such a loss

That no man can restore.

The present only is our own,

So live, love, toil with a will,

Place no faith in "Tomorrow”,

For the Clock may then be still.”

-  Robert H Smith

The last day: Lowestoft to Ipswich

Despite being tired from the previous passage, I was keen to push on and get home.  Although I live in Ipswich I have never actually sailed northward from there, so this part of the route was still new to me, but I had seen many of the landmarks before from dry land!

Lighthouse of the day.

 It was great to see the cranes of the Felixstowe docks appear on the horizon; once past them it was just a case of motoring up the River Orwell.

One happy yachtsmen with home in sight. 

Harwich swamped by a floating hotel.

A little too close for my liking!!

Lightship of the day.

Worlds largest Meccano set (Felixstowe docks)

Why didn't I carry one of those?

The Orwell Bridge and the lights of home in the background.

I hope that anyone dropping in on my blog over this past 3 months have enjoyed it - it's coming up to 20,000 hits so someone must like it.  So far I have raised over £1300 for EACH and I am half way to my target with 5 months and 2 challenges yet to go.  Please do consider sparing a few pounds to this very worthy cause, it will be very much appreciated.  Thank you.

CLICK TO DONATE HERE

I plan to keep the blog going for the foreseeable future, so you will be able to track any future challenges on here and on my Facebook page.