We did it! Still on a high from completing last week's Norfolk Superhero Challenge. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored us – it’s the
toughest thing I’ve ever done but feeling very proud that my team mate Sue
Allen and I finished this arduous course.
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| Photo courtesy www.dennispederson.com |
Our times weren’t bad and I’m pretty
sure I was first swimmer home in the ‘Zimmer’ category with a time of 24.17
minutes. Sue is really fit and was second lady home, beating me by more than
three minutes.
As well as the mile-long swim
from Gun Hill to the quay at Burnham Overy Staithe, we kayaked four miles (my time
42.51 mins), cycled 45 miles (3.26 hours) through north Norfolk's most scenic
roads then ran eight miles (2.22 hours) across tracks, sand, mud and marsh. My time was just over seven hours in total; they won’t be chasing me for the
Olympics, but at least I wasn't last!
The swim was hard, with a
strong wind creating lots of ‘chop’. The kayaking was great fun – a bit like
dodgems at first - with friendly jostling for position. We cycled into what felt
like cyclone winds and all was going well until mile 26 when cramp hit me – first
one leg, then the other. This is the first time I’ve ever experienced it, so it
chose a great time to hit. The highlight had to be
running along Holkham Beach with the tide far out and the sun shining. Our legs
got sand-blasted, but it was worth it.
And then there were those kit changes; getting your foot stuck
in your wetsuit can cost you precious minutes, so we made sure we practiced beforehand.
Sue was a fantastic team mate and got me through my various bouts
of cramp, with amazing encouragement and her homemade flapjacks – rather difficult
to chew with a dry mouth but ok when washed down with litres of Isotonic water.
The fabulous Pink Lady marshalls,
the relaxed ‘no rules’ policy and the wonderful feeling of camaraderie among competitors, whether they were an elite athlete, semi pro or complete amateurs
like us, made it a brilliant event.
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| Hugh and training buddy, Mocha |
And of course, I couldn’t have done
it without my faithful training buddy Mocha, whose four legged company saw me through
many a dark, cold morning when I really didn’t feel like getting my kit on.
Will I be back next year to do it all again? You bet I will.
- So far Sue Allen and I have raised around £1,900 for Wells Lifeboat, which is manned by volunteer crews. We hope to get our total up to £3000! If you would like to donate, please visit our page on Just Giving.
