It was the 9th July 2015 a warm evening, I ventured on my first fell run with Penistone Footpath Runners, meeting just off Manchester Road in a lay by named locally as Fiddlers Green, I was lead by a group of local Penistone fell runners, Ian Charlsworth, Chris Charlsworth, Steve Sanders, Steve Stead & James Pierce, they dragged me around the delights of Round Hill, Swains Head, Grinah Stones and Barrow Stones at the time this land was Alien to me and so difficult to move over, I was slow and found it very hard going a different world compared to the road running I had been doing for the previous 6 months.

We also visited the source of the Derwent a little sign stuck in a bog i thought at the time. And saw a Large chinook appear over the brow of the hill Vietnam style, before flying 20m straight over our heads. Amazing!

All the talk that evening was about the Bob Graham Round, James Pierce had successfully completed only a couple of weeks before, most of this run I was flagging way off the pace struggling to keep up with the group, my heart beating out of my chest and breathing way too heavy for the pace I thought, id never done something so difficult, and these guys were bouncing like gazelles all talking about this thing called the Bob Graham, this is where it started, my obsession with fell running but also the first thing I did when I got home is pop up google and search, The Bob Graham………..

Well… I was curious who the bloody hell was Bob Graham?

Well, legend has it that back in 1932, Bob Graham thought it would be a good idea to run 66 miles up and down 42 mountains in under a day. Crazy, right? But hey, he did it, and now every masochistic fell runner dreams of doing the same. Now including me.

I thought at the time (Id never been to the Lake District) this cant be so difficult ? but over the last 9 years I have learnt a lot about this round and Let me tell you, it’s like Mother Nature herself decided to test her most sadistic inclinations. Picture yourself scrambling up scree slopes, hurdling over bogs, and dodging sheep shit having to climb similar ascent as Mount Everest—all while battling the unpredictable weather of the Lake District. Oh, and did I mention the part where you have to do it all within a single day? Yeah, fun times, but what a challenge.

Despite the pain, and the occasional existential crisis, there’s something oddly exhilarating about pushing your body to its limits in pursuit of a challenge like this, and over the last 9 years I became intimately acquainted with every rock, bog, and sheep in the Lake District!

Supporting

I learnt over the next few years that to attempt the BG you really need to earn you stripes within the fell community, unless you are insanely fit and can do it self supported, most people who attempt the BG need a support crew to cover the 5 legs, Pacers & Road Support. And theres a tradition of supporting other people first, learning the route back to front and treating the challenge with the respect it deserves.

In 2017 I supported my first BG, for Andy Swift. After this it became an annual pilgrimage to support others, successful and unsuccessful.

I found great joy in being part of these journeys, witnessing the highs and lows, and being a source of encouragement and support. Each experience taught me valuable lessons about resilience, determination, and the power of community. Over the years, I have seen individuals overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, and I have celebrated alongside them in their triumphs.

I also had the pleasure to be part of the support for the Double BG record and successful Wainwrights completions.

Equally, I have offered a comforting presence and words of hope during moments of disappointment.

Previous Attempts

In 2020 at the early start of the year I was training heavy for the Manchester Marathon, my goal was a 2:45 marathon, I was hitting 60+ mile weeks consistently with 20 mile runs hitting my goal marathon pace. Then in March Covid hit hard! The marathon was cancelled.

I was gutted, but thought I would just change my training and do something differently I decided to target the BG the goal was to attempt in the September of 2020. I soon started hitting the 10,000 feet of climb weeks I had heard were so important as a staple for the BG.
Friday mornings were a regular 5am drive with Phil Montgomery over to Win Hill to rep up and down the same 1,000 ft climb 3,4,5 x in a row, I was feeling strong, smashing local fell routes in amazing times, like Holme Moss & Edale Skyline, I even started to keep up with my good friend Andy Swift, notoriously fast local fell runner, It was all feeling like this could be my year.

My next step was to organise a recce of Leg 1&2 Back to back and get some training done up in the Lakes.

A couple of weeks before this I was out running with Andy Swift on a 20 mile loop around Langsett, I was flying the best I’ve ever felt, on the way back to the car, down Mickleden I was dancing down the rocks with Andy Swift I was determined he was not getting away from me, I was probably moving at around 5:45/6mm pace, and then BANG!

I face planted on a rock, when I came to my senses I had knocked a tooth loose, bust my lip and unfortunately badly hurt my ribs.

The next 2 weeks I struggled with my running but still decided to go along with the recce in the Lakes determined to keep my training going.

We met in Keswick outside the Moot Hall, Andy Swift, Paul Haigh, Clark Hind & Ian Challans, a fantastic group of Fell runners & friends, we went off up Skiddaw talking all the way up about the Bob and Andy Succesful attempt. Half way up I was lagging off the back of the group, I was finding the pace difficult, this wasn’t good after all the training I had already done, I tried to eat nothing would go down, we continued to move on and tick off the mountains finishing leg 1 descending Halls Fell.

Leg 2 started we went off climbing hard up Clough Head, I had to stop twice on the way up this was worrying after all the training I had done but I was really struggling with this and the pace, I continued but I was slowing the group, my breathing laboured, effort feeling way too hard and much harder than I expected, I spoke to Andy just before Raise and we decided to drop off early down to Thirlmere.

I sat deflated at the Pub at the bottom, thinking all I had done is 20 miles a third of the route and I was dead, there was no way I could even consider doing 66 miles at this pace and 27,000 feet of climb.

Was I shit because of my damaged ribs, maybe, why couldn’t I eat? I had so many questions on why I found this so hard, but what It came down to is I just was not experienced enough I needed to re think my approach, to this point all I had done is one Leg at a time supporting and never stuck two together, never mind all 5, The Lake District mountains are a different monster to going up and down a Peak District hill, I decided right there and then I was going to delay get more experience with the terrain, learn how to fuel myself better, support more and come back maybe next year.

What was great is this recce inspired others in the group, Paul, Clark & Ian all made it to Dunmail and over the next 12 months all successfully completed their own BG’s.

I personally never did go back though the next year, I continued to support others but my running health deteriorated at the end of 2020 and this continued all the way to the end of 2022 I was riddle with Injuries, stomach ulcers and various other issues that just meant I could never string together a training block.

December 31st 2022

As the calendar flipped to December 31, 2022. The year had seen us purchase a family caravan, which we sited in the South Lakes near Arnside.

Amid the autumn and early winter, I found myself running in the lakes more regularly. However, it was the 31st of December that brought about a pivotal moment – a transformative run up Fairfield around the Fairfield Horseshoe.

The day was cold, with snowflakes on the ground. Yet, the high cloud bank gave an amazing view from the summit of Fairfield of the entire BG route. It was during this run that a decision took root within me – I needed to recenter myself, regain my fitness, and make a dedicated attempt at this. I needed a plan, I was nearly 14 stone, and although I could manage a few hours of running around the lakes, I paled in comparison to my 2020 fitness levels.

THE PLAN

1. Run Every Day of the Year 2023
2. Complete the Montane Tea Round (a sort of half a BG) in April 2023
3. Complete Lakes in a Day Ultra – a 54-mile endeavour scheduled for October 2023.
4. Attempt the BG in April 2024.

And there it was, on the back of a fag packet, or rather, in my mind and yearning to be solidified somewhere promptly to hold myself accountable. And so I did what came naturally to me – I shared my plan on social media. With that simple action, the die was cast; I simply had to follow through. This was the first instance of me publicly declaring my intent to undertake the BG.

While I’m sure anyone on Facebook just ignored it, to me, it was the same as signing a binding contract – I had to see it through!

And so, on the 1st of January 2023, my journey commenced, everything calibrated towards the ultimate aim: the 27th of April 2024 – the BIG DAY!

It was a phased approach each milestone was an indispensable stepping stone toward the next. ‘Run Every Day,’ ‘Tea Round,’ ‘LIAD,’ ‘BG’ – in that precise order, as per my plan. This was the path I had laid out for myself, and there was no turning back. I was going to get this bloody thing done!!

My Journey Towards the Bob Graham Round

I completed the Tea Round, with some difficulty, it was slow. Despite the challenges, I checked it off my list.

In June, I supported in tough conditions on the Dark Peak BG , contending with 60 MPH winds. It was on this very day that I made the decision to seek out a coach to enhance the structure of my training.

I enlisted the expertise of Brennan Townshend, an international trail and fell runner, as well as a great coach. Brennan wasted no time in devising a plan to target my first 50-mile run, Lakes in a Day, and to subsequently prepare me for the BG in April 2024. The prospect of following a plan was exciting, as it finally gave me structure in my training.

The Lakes in a Day event arrived swiftly in October, presenting me with atrocious weather conditions including 50 MPH headwinds and extensive flooding. Despite the adversity, I managed to complete the challenge. This significant achievement instilled in me for the first time the belief that I could conquer the BG. Subsequently, my training intensified, and with each passing day leading up to April 27, 2024, my confidence continued to grow.

By the end of March 2024, I had explored every segment of the round, some areas multiple times. My familiarity with the terrain had reached the point where it felt as though I knew it as well as I knew my own backyard. As the date drew near, I was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, striving to avoid injury and illness. However, it was undeniably clear that my dream of completing the BG was well within reach.

April 27th 2024 – BG Day

My organisation for the BG had been going on for over a year and I had assembled an amazing group of pacers & support, my kit & food was ready, we was already in the Lake District as a family stopping in a lodge in Ullswater Heights.

I got out of bed that morning, I hadn’t had the greatest nights sleep, nerves & excitement had taken over a little I had sat up since 4am (don’t start until 6pm) staring at the weather forecast. I’d been obsessing over this all week. It was looking set to be a settled but very cold 24 hours with up-to -11 windchill on scafell.

I picked the end of April because I’m terrible in the heat, this was a decent forecast for me, other than ICE over the end of leg 3 I thought I can wrap up I’ll pop my trousers on after Leg 1 pull out my mittens and I can do this.

I walked through to the living area and pulled back the curtain.

What a day, Blencathra in the distance snow capped. I messaged the support & family whassap group. Reminding everyone to dress for winter conditions, there was then mention of possible need for spikes up the west wall traverse.

9am myself and my Brother – Gary drove into Keswick to pick up my tracker from Kong. It was also a chance to show him car parks and where to go in Threlkeld.

My brother is a road runner with no real knowledge of the BG other than what I had told him. He had kindly volunteered to drive around the lakes for the next 24 hours, a taxi for my support & bringing spare kit & food to the end of each leg I had already handed him a 3 page set of instructions so he knew exactly where to go, when, who he was picking up , dropping off, what to get ready etc.

After the drive into Keswick it was chill time, both me & Gary went back to bed to try get in a nap. I never sleep in the day so I just sat for the next 4-5 hours playing through the route and my plans in my head until my wife Laura told me lunch was ready . Pasta & meatballs!

A long day already at 5:10pm we set off into Keswick to meet my pacers for Leg 1. A convoy of cars with my brother my sister in law, their 2 kids, my wife Laura and my kids we parked in Bell Close car park, wow I was feeling nervous now my heart racing just getting things out of the back of the truck for my support. It was finally here, trying to calm myself down, breathe slowly Damien chill out!

Then Clark Hind (leg 1 support) appeared as I was rubbing Vaseline on my nether regions! Alastair Wareham also who’s come to see me off he wasn’t supporting until leg 3 was there with his go pro! Phil Montgomery next just had fish and chips I think he said then went to get dressed in his car. Only Tom Hollins was missing at this point but he dropped me a message to say he’d be 5 min. Brilliant Leg 1 is a go!

And what a group we made our way around to Moot Hall, Tom was to be in charge of Nav, Phil – food & Clark – beverages.

We was then on the countdown to 6pm, everyones phones recording as my kids & Laura counted down from 10 seconds. I noticed with 2 seconds to go my watch flicked over to 6 so I set off making it look like I’d set off 2 seconds early and ruining the count for my family.
Nether the less everyone cheered us as we set off and down through the tunnel and crossed the car park to Fitz park.

I had a plan for leg 1 & 2 that I’d discussed with Brennan, I was to wear my chest HRM until Dunmail and really focus on keeping my HR down to conserve energy for later on in the round. I had also planned on a 22.30 hour schedule my target being 23:30 but I know I have issues eating as I get longer into these runs and at some point it was likely I may stop so I wanted a buffer also as I headed into the end of leg 3 & 4. That being said my pace would be controlled by the HR on legs 1&2 so up or down on schedule I knew I’d have my legs later on in the round.

My hr was already way too high for the pace we was going, Tom was great at calming things down he rained me in and as we headed up Skiddaw it finally settled down.

wow so I’d been up Skiddaw lots and never got to the summit and had a view. Funny I promised myself one on my BG it looked like it was coming true. There was still a cold chill in the air but what a stunning evening.

Summit 1 – Skiddaw

It was gorgeous up here the sun was now low over the Irish Sea and you could see the whole lakes.

Phil & Clark at this point had been great feeding and passing me drinks every 30 min. Phil had an alarm set on his watch but I somehow kept asking if I was due food 10 seconds before it went off.

We were also a minute or so up on schedule taking it very easy this was a good sign.

We now headed towards Great Calva everyone suddenly needing a wee, Tom told me to walk & wee so not to lose time and reminded me a wee every hour could be 24 minutes lost. (Gary would pay for this fact later on leg 5).

The usual bogs to Great Calva were lovely not fully dried up but spongy and we bounced towards the climb we seemed to be at the top in no time, the sun still going down behind us.

We then headed down the fence line towards the River Caldew, I noticed I had a stone in my shoe on the descent and also Tom had got a little behind, I decided to take a minute to get the stone out at the bottom of the descent. Tom had hurt his foot and ripped his brand new Scarpa Spin ST , I was concerned as Tom was hurt and him & Phil were supposed to be continuing on to leg 2. I wasn’t worried about Nav but more Toms calming experience to this point had been great. Tom said he was fine.

We moved on and crossed the river and started our climb up Blencathra, Tom here took us a direct line from Mungrisdale common I was shocked I’d never done before, the sun now setting & head torches about to go on before we hit the summit.

The summit had a bit of clag & wild campers nestled in for the night.

Halls fell next, Tom Zig Zagged us down dodging all the rocks. We could now see the cricket club car park and was thinking I bet they can now see our head torches coming down. My family was all ready in anticipation for us as well as supporters from later legs who had arrived early.

I had sent Clark on ahead with my bottles to refill and we quickly hit the road I had noticed Tom was still struggling with his foot on the descent so wasn’t sure he was going to carry on.

We crossed the road to the car park on schedule family and friends clapping it was now dark, I quickly changed my socks & top plus grabbed my running trousers for the cold night. Laura shoved paracetamol in my mouth, coke, a slice of Pizza and we was off again about 4 minutes I think. That was crazy, me & Phil said to each other.

Clark had stopped now & Rich Cottam & Tom Fryers had replaced him, they were on hydration duties for leg 2 but continuing on to leg 3 for a recce as Rich is doing his own BG at the end of May. This gave them opportunity on leg 3 to focus on learning lines etc.

Tom H & Phil were carrying on to do Nav & Food. Tom seemed ok still on climbs but his foot made it sore for him on descents.

We made our way up Clough head I remember eating a Banana and grapes on the way up just before the summit I popped on my trousers. It was very cold up here and the clag was starting to drop over the Dodds. We tagged Clough head and ran towards Great Dodd!

On the climb up Phil passed me a chocolate wrap and this was when my stomach issues started, it took a very slow plod up Great Dodd to get it swallowed I then felt bloated & sick across Watson & Stybarrow Dodd. This was to be the theme now for the rest of the round bouts of nausea and bursts of energy just after.

On the way up Raise the energy came back I now lead the group running great HR controlled and bounced to white side, flew up lower man, Helvellyn, Nethermost pike, Dollywagon Pike. Tom skipped Dollywagon to lead the way & light towards the descent to Grisedale tarn, I again bounced down the descent and lead the way around the tarn to the foot of Fairfield, here I started to feel tired again and the group all caught me back up and overtook on the climb.

Fairfield is a fucker, This was also Phils name for the evening too Fucker Phil because he kept taking good lines! Anyway The top was frozen and rocks icy a sign of what was to come on leg 3. We hit the summit and made our way back down the scree, I descended well, leading the way to Seat Sandal where again the group went passed me . So I’d noticed another pattern here my climbs were slowing down but I was descending strong.

Hit the last summit of leg 2 and we worked our way down in the dark to Dunmail, I asked Tom F & Rich C to go ahead to get bottles ready for leg 3. It was a great sign to see the car lights & head torches below us, I could see a head torch coming up and we approach the bottom of the descent it was Dougie Zinis dressed in full winter gear greeting me with a well done. We was slightly ahead of schedule as I sat down to be greeted with a hot coffee and my new pacers.

Dougie Zinis – Nav, Alastair Wareham – Food, Roland Allat – Beverages. Rich & Tom F also continued onto Wasdale so we had a fairly large group which was good for the light as it wasnt going to be light until Bowfell.

I said bye to Tom H & Phil, put my thicker coat on, changed my shoes VJ XTRM and we headed on up Steel Fell. Another quick stop 5 min and in hindsight I should have probably taken my 10 min and tried to eat more.

So far I’d eaten OTE Chews, OTE Supercarbs drink, Mountain Fuel gels, Precision Hydration drink, tiny slice of pizza, banana, grapes & two wraps.

Well little did I know at this point bar a tiny bit of Kendal mint cake, 6 jelly babies, 2 jelly snakes, 2 oranges, 2 sips of tomato soup and about 10 grapes . Eating was about to stop.

Heading up Steel fell I felt slow but my legs strong, just my energy low. Near the summit Dougie let one rip infront of me followed by the comment that will give you some energy – wow it did it stunk but it made me laugh and gave me a little boost to the summit!

From here to Calf Crag and over to Sergeant man I was on go slow, no energy at all the stars were back out and it was dark – Dougie was bouncing off in front making perfect lines in the darkness with a trail of farts following him. Alastair & Roland were giving words of encouragement and trying to get me to eat. I kept sipping on my OTE supercarbs drink and nibbling on tiny bits of Kendal mint cake unfortunately I seemed to be farting too, fortunatley for Alastair who was staying closest they were not as strong a brew as Dougies.

I knew I was losing time probably about 15 min down on the 22:30 schedule now but that was fine all planned, I’ll be honest though this was my lowest point of the round, I wasn’t half way, I couldn’t eat and as I sat off the back the group I was getting a little emotional thinking about how fucking far I still had to go and frustrated that I couldn’t eat as my legs felt fine!

After feeling sorry for myself for 20-30 min we then hit the top of high raise, Dougie said to me your running now and with that I had a burst again from this point I ran ok and in front of the rest of group with Dougie to Thunacar knott , Harrison Stickle & Pike of Stickle. Wow it was COLD at the top of the Pike of Stickle I summited with Alastair and the rest of the group waited below, the wind was picking up and daylight was slowly getting closer I was feeling positive again.

We then moved off and headed towards Rossett Pike, by the time we summited it was light and off went the head torch. The rest of the route looked moody and in the clag.

I went off in front with Dougie up Bowfell and felt strong on the climb we summited it was a little tricky to touch the summit due to ice on the rocks but I slapped that pointy bastard and moved on.

This bit seemed a breeze across to Esk pike & Great end. Absolutely freezing -11 windchill but I was moving well still.

From Great end things got very slow again I was losing energy (here we go again) and the ICE scrambling up to Ill crag & broad crag just added extra caution to things, not worth pushing it falling. Lost another 15 min here to Scaffel pike, I’d also really mastered the moving piss by the point or so I thought .

It was about here that Alastair passed me a twix that I tried to swallow and violently wretched back out. Still couldn’t eat properly Dougie passed me a handful of Jelly babies which I got down me and they seemed to give me a kick to the summit of Scaffel Pike, the summit was FREEEEZING!

The Jelly Babies had given me a new life line I felt like I flew down to the bottom of Lords Rake & Up the West Wall Traverse (which had a bit of ice but we didn’t need spikes) I hit the summit and felt strong. Dougie spoke to me here and said I was moving well and Yewbarrow was easy and to just keep moving I’ll be reyt! Yeah I will I said responding I’ll be reyt!

All the way to the bottom of Scaffel I was having fun now enjoying the scree on the way down , Dougie ran ahead to let my support know I was coming but I really felt like I was moving. Alastair caught me just before the car park and said he had to do 5mm pace to catch me, what a boost going into Wasdale car park.

Wasdale – THE BG GRAVEYARD

I decided to take longer here and try to eat! Gary had me ready some tomato soup and coffee I managed to have a few spoonfuls of the soup, drink my coffee and have half a bottle of coke. Martin Ball helped me change my socks. I was also worrying that some of my support hadn’t come back yet and I was about to leave, that being said I was assured they were ok.

I was about 30 min behind my 22:30 schedule but my legs felt fine it was one of the first times since the start of leg 3 I felt like I was going to do it, I knew my legs were strong enough to keep me moving at a pace that would get me back to Moot Hall under 24 hours, even if my eating was making my energy low.

Leg 4 I had Julie Darigalia – Nav, Damian Kilpin – Food, Robin Clough – DJ & Beverages.

We moved slowly out of Wasdale, I was told Phil H was stood half way up Yewbarrow to say hello. Phil did a video here asking me how I was and sent to my family who were back in Keswick watching my tracker & whassap group for updates. This was brilliant and his words of encouragement and from the rest of my pacers made Yewbarrow feel like a breeze.

I hit the summit fuck me I was doing this I got a little emotional again as we moved off to Red pike forgetting how much of a bastard red pike is …. I went very quiet now Damian trying to make me eat and all that would go down are grapes and the odd slurp of my super carbs drink. Robin was talking to me and I was listening but words were not really being returned in the other direction I was very focused, emotional, determined to keep moving and get up this shite of a climb.

We summited red pike the views were opening up as we headed towards and off steeple. Robin & Julie stopped for a sandwich here while me & Damian went out & back.

Next we head towards Pillar each summit now just like a dream floating past in front of me one after the other with a a different theme music coming from Robins bag at each one. Julie was nailing the lines & Damian forcing grapes on me.

Kirkfell next and a bit of a scramble up the red gully, everything was just happening one step in front of the other.. still not speaking much but I’m moving well.

Kirk fell summit always seems to drag on a bit after the scramble, Julie was in front and took us on a great line across to Great Gable. This was a new line to me so got excited as it dodged some climb & rocks.

I always remember in my head if I make it to Great Gable I’ve finished! Well there’s still about 13-14 miles to go but all the rough ground is done.

We hit Beckhead tarn which was dried up and I looked up at the scramble to the summit of great gable I’m now 50+ miles in with 23,000 ft of climb in my legs.

I suddenly here Johnny cash blast out from Robins bag DUM DUM DUM

”I walk the line” “ring of fire”

Brilliant just what I needed really helped me motor onto the summit.

One of my favourite parts of the whole round I felt good ish! Even dropped a massive rock on my toe and just brushed it off.

We hit the summit I fist pumped the air! Maybe a little too early as after the rocky descent & ascent over to green gable, I seem to have lost my running legs again I think not eating had caught me back up , and over the easiest part of leg 4 I lost about 15-20 min, my feet dragging and my swollen big toe from dropping the rock on it up Great gable was clipping on every rock it could. I must have stubbed it about a dozen times in 2 miles, screeching and moaning to Robin every time I did so.

I knew I was near Honister now and at Grey Knotts I still had 3hrs 45 min to get back to Keswick, this made me relax a little more as I had time to have a break try eat then have plenty of time to get leg 5 done.

Julie went off ahead to let them know I was coming I could see my kids were there and I could hear them shouting cmon as I crested the hill.

I was a little delirious as I hit the car park and had a bit of cry again as I sat in the chair. I was told afterward Laura & Candice thought I looked grey… and were worried I wasn’t going to carry on, I was also apparently talking a bit of Gibberish, all seemed normal to me.

I changed my shoes, spat out a few things I tried to eat and off I went, the little break had given me a boost I swigged down some super carbs and went off on Leg 5.

My support on leg 5 was Gary Briscoe my Brother – Food, Martin Ball – beverages. I was planning to do the Nav on this one.

We went off up Dale head I felt relaxed and Gary & Martin were getting all my conversations I had not had for last 12 hours hitting them all at once I was now relaxed and I was really enjoying myself I don’t think I stopped talking all the way up Dale head.

Phil H was waiting half way up again to wish me well. Damian & Julie decided to come up to summit Dale head too to make sure Gary & Martin were ok with the Nav just incase I had lost the plot they were not taking any risks which was amazing of them.

At the summit the view was fantastic I touched the cairn and assured Julie I was ok with the Nav as I headed towards Hindscarth .

We summited Hindscarth I was moving ok, then we went off towards Robinson the last climb of the day number 42. I checked my watch and it was 4pm as I touched the shelter, I had 2 hours to get back to Keswick a fairly technical descent for a mile or 2 and then 10k of lumpy road back to Keswick.

We decided to take a novelty photo on the summit laying down & Martin sent this back to the group. Fuckty fucking yessss it’s in the bag I thought just don’t fall!

We moved off the summit.

Gary & Martin are both good road runners – Gary a 2:26 marathon runner who finished 2nd in the Yorkshire marathon – he likes to tell people.

I knew they would both not like the descent too much my legs were still great on descending so I wanted to take advantage so I moved well down taking perfect lines dodging all the crags, I flew down the ski slop grassy bank and hit the dirt track running 6:50-7mm pace until the gate to the road.

both of them caught me back up by the road not sure where the pace went but as I hit the tarmac my pace reduced to 10mm with a walk up any incline. I still felt ok just had no pace to give anymore as used my last but of energy on the descent. I knew it was just going to be a slow plod now back to Keswick but one I know I would enjoy.

It was now warm for the first time in 23 hours and I was still dressed for -11. I dropped my coat and took my trousers off Gary Helping me , I noticed they were wet through inside.. and unfortunately stunk of piss!

I realised at this point I’d not actually mastered pissing and moving at the same time, brotherly love and all that Gary carried them all way back to Keswick.

Martin & Gary kept me moving and we turned finally off the footpath near the premier inn and onto the main road up into Keswick.

As we hit the the roundabout my energy came back and I bounded up to the Moot hall, my family & friends clapping & cheering, I ran up the steps and touched that green door I’d been obsessing about for so long.

I sat down had another cry wow ! I think I cried more than I ate, good job I was drinking well and not losing all my salts.

Laura gave me a hug as did my kids.

I’m now a proud member of The Bob Graham Club

Member 2,818+ I find out my number at the end of the year.

What a day out, by far the hardest but also one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Grateful for all my support family & friends.

Thank you to Laura, my kids Nirvana & Orlando.. enabling me to train for something and remain supportive of me throughout without it would not be possible.
With Hard work & self belief you really can make dreams come true.

What Next?