NOW WHAT NEXT!
The smile has returned - I’ve nearly finished.
And the winner is...
I’ve never won a race before and still couldn’t quite believe it.
The other racers, who were generous with there help and support - a fantastic group of people.
Pete and Dean - who finished together.
The scenery - though beautiful - never changed. I felt very small.
One of those when will it ever end? moments - the slumped shoulders say it all.
The ice wall that I walked into after I had fallen asleep whilst walking!
FINALLY
Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.
Cecil Beaton: 1904-1980
As I sit here finishing off the book, I realise how very lucky I am. I have travelled all over the world, taken part in and survived some fantastic challenges, met some great and inspiring people - all because of that ten minute clip on TV.
Nothing would have been possible without the help and support of my ‘slightly exasperated’ wife. I am extremely grateful for her support and encouragement.
During many of the races I have taken part in, I have noticed that the people at the back of the field are without doubt the real heroes - their struggle, determination to finish and tenacious spirit commands respect from all - even the elite guys acknowledge this simple fact.
If you are thinking:- “Shall I have a go or is it a sport for a certain type of super fit athlete?” Let me assure you that yes, you might see the elite guys on TV or DVD flying around some desert, jungle, mountain or whatever, but the reality is so different. 90% of the field are battling away just to finish; almost without fail, 90% or more have entered to see if they can reach the elusive finish line.
I have been beaten by older, retired people of both sexes, people with limbs missing, people with pacemakers fitted, hip replacements and cancer survivors. It doesn’t matter, I enter to see if I can reach the elusive finish line and when I do, the pain goes away the smile returns and a feeling of absolute joy, relief, bliss, happiness. I haven’t the words to explain the feeling of finishing a tough challenge.
Do you think you should have a go? You should. Will you finish? If you really want the finish line, you will.
Go on - you know you want to. It will hurt, the training will be boring and lonely but the feeling of achieving what is an extreme challenge is a feeling that will be with you forever.
Lastly a huge thank you to Andy Heading and Yann Besrest-Butler for some amazing photographs.
LIST OF ADVENTURES
Marathon Distance And Above
Marathon Des Sables 1996
London Marathon 1997
Himalayan 100 1998
London Marathon 1998
London Marathon 1999
Snowdon Marathon 1999
Isle of Wight Marathon 2000
Hi Tec Adventure Race 2000
Jordan Desert Cup 2001
Trailplus Adventure race 2002
Raid Amazonie 2003
Three Peaks Challenge 2003
Guadarun 2004
London Marathon 2004
Climbed Kilimanjaro 2004
Treadmill Challenge (100 miles in 24 hours) 2004
Paris Marathon 2005
7x7x7 (7 marathons 7 days 7 different ways) 2005
Jersey Challenge Adventure Race 2005
Yukon Arctic Ultra 100 mile 2006
West Wight Triathlon 2006
Wight Challenge Adventure Race 2006
Yukon Arctic Ultra 320 mile 2007
Ironman UK 70.3 2007
Tough Guy 2007
6633 Ultra 2008 DNF
Atacama Crossing 2009
Norseman Extreme Triathlon 2010 DNF
Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2010
Yukon Arctic Ultra 430 mile 2011
Caesars Camp Endurance Run 2011 DNF
Centurion Running, NDW 50 2012
Centurion Running, Winter 100 2012 DNF
Namib Desert Challenge 2012
6633 Ultra 2013
Table of Contents
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FARTLEKS AND FLATULENCE
INTRODUCTION
THE MARATHON DES SABLES 1996
HIMALAYAN 100 MILE STAGE RACE
THE JORDAN DESERT CUP 2001
RAID AMAZONIE 2003
THE 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE 2003
GUADARUN 2004
THE YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA 2006
TRIATHLON 2006
THE YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA 2007
IRONMAN UK 70.3 2007
ATACAMA CROSSING 2009
THE NORSEMAN EXTREME TRIATHLON 2010
THE AUGRABIES EXTREME ULTRA MARATHON 2010
THE YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA 2011
THE NAMIB DESERT CHALLENGE 2012
THE WINTER 100 2012
THE 6633 ULTRA 2013
FINALLY
LIST OF ADVENTURES