Team Will - the 1000 mile Challenge

London 10KM run... phew it was hot

2010-07-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday 11th July saw us tackle the London 10Km, Part 4 of Team Will 1000 mile challenge. Ben, Sophie, Kirsty, Simon, Dani and Fiona all hit the road to clock up some more miles. Thankfully not quite 30 degrees, but was certainly hot. Run was defo a challenge for all us except Simon, who thought it was a breeze! Dani was on top form and ready to take on the runners who made her run an extra 5km in dodging tactics. Dont cross a Yorkshire lass! Anyway was all worthwhile as we had celebrity supporters; Will and Isla! Amazing to have them both there at the end and of course not forgetting Mum and Dad (Claudia and Duncan) Collins. Cant explain the immense pride of seeing a happy strong Will just chilling in the park after the race and he certainly had no idea what the fuss was about. This was Will's first ever proper trip out of Bournemouth, so amazing for him to be here. Unbelievable to think that a year ago he was fighting hard still in intensive care. Isla was great fun too, insisting that the gross pigeons were ducks! Thanks to Anne and Mel for all their hard work in planning and to all the runners, especially ones who are friends of famalies with babies affected by Myotubular Myopathy. (and Dani for coming all the way from France) You guys rock!

London to Brighton ... on a push bike!

2010-07-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

Part 3 of Team Will challenge was London to Brighton cycle ride. Simon, Stuart and I rode the beautiful route from Clapham Common to Brighton. 54 miles in total, 3 major hills and one mooosssive mountain! (Ditchling Beacon, otherwise known to Simon and I as 'Bitchling Beacon'). Fab day out made better by awesome cake and tea by the Scouts about 37 miles in! Mel from the Trust was out in force again cheering us on at a very early time on a Sunday morning (7.30am), Thanks Mel. Meant a lot. Was not quite the endurance or pain that we experienced with 3 peaks but certainly had its moments and challenges. For once in my life I was glad I had a fat bum! Simon even with padded shorts was in agony in the end. So girls... big ass can come in handy sometimes! Also big thanks to the Vauxhall crew who transported our bikes and then meet us at the end with a BBQ and our bags. Next year London to Paris... anyone interested : )

2010-06-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

Team Will - 3 Peaks Challenge

Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike, Snowdon in 24 hours and 20 minutes!

We climbed up the equivalent of nearly 9 empire state buildings! And of course then had to come down as well. Total climbing time was 14 hours, 15 mins

The team; Fiona, Duncan, Kirsty, Ant, Berty, Mark, Dani and Simon, fresh faced and smiling at the beginning at Ben Nevis, Scotland.

Ben Nevis

Took 5 and 1/2 hours to complete ... bit hot to start with ! And final steps to top meant trekking through snow! However we were over the moon to reach the top in our planned time. A sheer miracle with inexperienced walkers....... Below is us at the top

Scarfell Pike
Not so smiley.. this was a hard climb mentally and physically as was rough terrain. Started at 5am and completed in 4 and 1/4 hours. Once at the top we were not sure we could make it down, but had no choice!!

Snowdon - the final climb

The start .... crazed people at the beginning, tired , blistered and slightly hysterical! we set off on the LONG 9 mile trek.

Mislead along the way from cheerful walkers "its not a steep climb", "you are half way there", "not far now". ALL LIES. I believe 45degrees is a steep climb! And the thank god Dani didnt bump into the woman who told us we were half way there when we were not! Anyway we got to the very cold top and managed to get the view before the weather came in. Then just the small matter of getting down.

Despite the pain, despair and mental torture. This was an amazing trip and the team was awesome. Thanks so much to all our supporters and our amazing driver Gordon. Easily the hardest thing I have done, but all those babies and children with Myotubular face a battle like this everyday. Such a humbling experience.

2010-06-02T00:10:00.000-07:00

20 Mile walk completed... the smiles were not so bright at the end
Thanks for all your support Caroline, Bells and Skip.... great job on the fundraising. And thanks to all the beer monsters at The Ossory, think Bells was fleecing you for the charity : )