Day 5

Finished! Day 5 was 28 miles that almost flew by. Not a record breaking run but the legs ticked over nicely to get me in under the 5 and a half barrier. It's been a terrific experience and one that I am proud to have shared in.

Day 4

Another hard day today. The hamstrings let me know they'd had enough in the first couple of miles and the sun was out again. Maiden Bradley village has looked after us brilliantly this evening with the pub open early in our honour and got food with table service in the village hall. One more day to go.

Day 3 - 4

Yesterday the Garmin battery said no, which turned out to be a good thing. After a nasty hill climb in the first mile (walked) with a similar descent (brakes off) it was nice just to keep the legs ticking over with no pressure on pace. A few hills marked the end of the 20+ miles of busy road. A sign said 4 to go and the legs picked up for a strong finish :-) 29 miles in 5:54. Army rations for tea followed by a trip to the chip shop. Weather today [day 4] overcast, bright at the moment.

Day 2

I got two calls today! The first was this morning. Nightjar was two miles into the run and had seen Foxsake disappear off into the distance. I don't think he was too bothered, he just wants to run his own race.
He'd had a reasonable nights sleep but the sleeping bag he's taken was one of those lightweight caterpillar ones and he found it hard to move about in it. Last nights meal was pasta, 200 portions provided by the local pub. Breakfast was a couple of croissants.

Lots of people have been asking after him today in the office and by email.

I got another call this afternoon. Today his timing was much better. I'd just got in the car after leaving work but was yet to set off. He sounded much better than yesterday. The weather had been cooler and the hills hadn't seemed quite as steep. He'd even managed to hit 7 minute mileing at some points according to the garmin. His legs feel OK and there are no blisters. His time today was better too. 4 hours 40 minutes about 50 minutes faster than yesterday.

The tent was up and he'd had a snooze. He was just off for a shower and to relax for the rest of the evening.

Day 2

Day 2 begins. It's going to be another hot one. Legs feeling ok this morning but I haven't started running yet!

Day 1

About to start day 1.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

That's the first day done. Waiting all afternoon for a call or a text. Noel finally found somewhere with a phone signal just as I was driving the children down to the lake for a spot of wakeboarding. Luckily the signal lasted long enough for him to leave a message.

"I've managed to get a lift down into the village as there's no phone signal in the campsite. Today was tough! Really really hot today. Lots and lots of hills, and really steep. I don't know what I was expecting, it is Exmoor after all. Took 5 hours 30, just under. Saw a SeaKing Helicopter. He came down the road behind me, flew over, turned round and gave me a thumbs up through the window. It really gave me a lift."

Day 2 tomorrow, Exford to Crowcombe. It's another tough run across Exmoor and has been dubbed 'Red Friday'. Noel will be wearing his red Fetcheveryone shirt and I will wear a red top to work. If Noel can run all that way in support of our troops the least I can do is wear a red shirt in support of our lads and all the runners our there tomorrow.

11hours 56mins ond one sleep to go.

Dropped Noel off at the station this morning on the way to work and waved him off carrying enough kit to backpack to Timbuktu and back. The trip via London Paddington, Exeter, Barnstable and then a bus to Illfracombe took him most of the day but he is now ensconced in a B&B, has picked up his number and map book and introduced himself to Barry (I could have given you a lift)T. who works where I work.

He rang home just as I was cooking spag bol for the kids but I rang back and he is happily sitting on a park bench indulging in a meal from the Lakes school of running nutrition. (Fish and Chips for those not acquainted with the Venerable Mr L.)

He seems very excited and looking forward to the challenge. Apparently Ilfracombe seems very nice but he was not overly impressed with the theatre building. “looks like a couple of cooling towers”
A bit of judicious googling informs me that the theatre is known as “The Landmark” (imaginative huh!) and the two brick cones are built from more than 300,000 white Belgian Bricks no longer in production and took two teams of bricklayers 10 months to complete. The unusual conical design has found wide support among the architectural community. It’s a good job that Noel is not that sort of architect!

Just 12 hours to go before they set off on the first stage, Ilfracombe to Exford Village.

Arrived in Ilfracombe. Keeping hydrated.

Me and my kit

I'm glad I don't have to carry this during the march. It would be more realistic if I did.

2 more sleeps

It's one sleep really because tomorrow I have to get myself down to Ilfracombe. I'm all packed and raring to go. It hasn't all quite fit in the rucksack but I shall work on the principal that it will compact down in the morning. :-) Given that most of my kit is lightweight lycra there isn't really much point in trying to trim it down.

I think that's it for now. I will try and post photos in future blogs.

Noel.

3 days to go

The organisation of the event sounds to be outstanding. I'm running 'unsupported' so they will transfer my kit every day, there are showers laid on, breakfast and evening meals (much to my relief I do not have to pack 5 days worth of food), water stations to man, not to mention chip timing. Each day the whole circus will have to move 26 miles along the course. Then at the end they're putting on a festival, just in case we're still standing. So, while in principal I've paid for all of the above, there are a lot of people doing a lot of work for us and more importantly for Project 65.

4 days to go, it's time to start blogging

The train ticket is booked and it looks like I can get a bus from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe. All I need now is somewhere to stay overnight in Ilfracombe. Looks like I might be camping on the cliff tops!

Looking forward to this. The guys at Bedford Harriers have been great joining in with the fundraising. LC is due to give birth some time during the event (she's not taking part) and has allowed us to use this for a sweepstake. We took it along to the club anniversary ball on Friday and picked up another load of entries, luckily we didn't have to compete with a raffle! Work has brought in a few more sponsors, which is great too. I don't really like to ask - but once a year is ok I figure. Next year I'll have to find something more ludicrous to do.

Sylvia will be posting daily updates during the event. I don't trust my mobile to last for 5 days, especially if I try to use the internet.