Page 91 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Smell of Sea Air

The team members who carried on to the
end to complete the Challenge did so in
just over 24 hours and it is clear that the
training had paid off. The smell of the sea
air as the sun rises on the Sunday morning
and the feeling of achievement as Brighton
Race Course came into view in the far
distance will be a special memory. First to
cross the finish post from our team were
Jamie Tebbutt, Amber Goodchild, Tommy
Harper and Charlotte Napier. Excellent
effort, a proud mum moment for Charlotte
as five months earlier she had been given
birth to her first child. Following shortly
after were Alan McTaggart, John Leddy
and Andy Howarth. About 2,500 started
the Challenge of which over 760 did not
for a motivational warm up and there Aches and Pains finish, so we had done exceptionally well,
was no turning back. At 8.30 a.m. we set and as a group finishing all within the top
off along the beautiful Richmond end of We were now on the North Downs, and third of those that participated. As a team
the Thames Path, the sun shining and a this is where it was beginning to take they had raised £4,315 for the Melanoma
great day lay ahead of us. I was amazed to its toll, trying to ignore our aches and UK Charity.
see groups of all ages and abilities taking pains, around teatime we reached the 50
part, the atmosphere was brilliant. The km checkpoint and stopped to rest and Next Year
kilometre signs seemed to slip behind us regroup. A couple of the team visited the
quite quickly and the sights of boat race medical tent to have their blisters popped. Thoughts have already turned to next year
crews training, running teams on training Worst was to come though as it started and what is next. We have been given
sessions was a welcome distraction, and to become darker and cooler as night authority to trek in Nepal late 2017, below
before I knew it we had achieved our first fell. A hot meal at about the 60 km point the snow line, but including a stopover
checkpoint of 12 km. At all the checkpoints helped fuel some, but myself and other at Everest Base Camp, so the calendar is
we were able to rest for a limited time and individuals had succumbed to the heat already looking quite adventurous. The
stock up on the energy bars and drinks and had medically been advised to retire. Three Peaks Challenge is on the agenda
before heading out towards our next Trekking off road through the night over as a warm-up, plenty to keep us busy and
checkpoint which were usually every 12 to rugged terrain is a challenge particularly plenty of ‘out of the office’ activities in
16 km. when the body is telling you to shut down. which to participate.

Sense of Achievement

Striking off every kilometre marker gave
me a personnel sense of achievement as
the end was getting nearer; the motivation
and banter within our team was fantastic.
My legs ached slightly but luckily, I had no
real problem with blisters. Morale at this
point was key. At the 36 km checkpoint
we were met by Rob Shakya standing in
the glorious sunshine greeting us with the
biggest smile and an ice cold Magnum.

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