102 to Cowes: An intro from Dave

I'm Dave. Rachel's other half, her husband, her eternal companion, and her nemesis. But it's okay, she's mine too. We consider ourselves a typical couple, love each other loads, drive each other crazy, we have our moments and we love spending time together.

We both work full time, more than full time in fact, Rachel is a photographer and I'm am engineer. We live in a suburb of Manchester, own a home, go to church, have two cars and a pet cat called Princess Kitty Witty (so, perfectly normal)!

A few years ago we climbed Snowdon, the highest point in Wales as I had read about it and expressed an interest in doing it. Yes, Snowdon is a challenge, a 1085m (3,500ft+) climb, but it is also a very well travelled path making it quite safe. We made it down safely and felt sore for a few days after but we loved it. We loved seeing people of all ages and abilities being outside enjoying the great outdoors, we couldn't understand why it had taken us so long to get outside have been hooked on setting new adventures ever since.

As well as hiking up hills and mountains (using mountains loosely, the best of what the UK has to offer) we have also got into running, and more recently for myself, cycling. Last year we set ourselves a goal of running 1000km. We failed at this. Not for lack of trying, but we realised pretty early on in the year, that we didn't just want to run. Setting such a lofty goal meant that we would have to choose running over at her activities that we wanted to do, like re-visiting Snowdon to take on a more challenging path, or choosing to work out at the gym or at home completing a fitness DVD. So the overall goal got knocked on the head, but the desire to be fit and active didn't. In fact it escalated!

Last year we competed in two running events in one of Rachel's favourite places in the world, Abersoch, North wales. Earlier that year we ran a 10k and then later in the year we ran our 1st official half marathon. It was around this point that I started to get a big head and considered Tough Mudder. Rachel doesn't like the idea of being electrocuted so started looking for alternative events and found a run called hell runner, which is like Tough Mudder, a muddy trail run, but with natural obstacles only. We signed up, we did it, we got wet and muddy and loved it. And since then we have become event and challenge junkies!

This is the short version of how we have got to this point, signing up for a 106km trek around the Isle of Wight. Needless to say, the biggest challenge and adventure we have undertaken so far.

Dave

103 to Cowes: but, WHY?

Beyond the pull of adventure and challenge, The Isle of Wight challenge offers us another opportunity... to raise money for a charity that means something to us. We hope to raise money for the Rachel Foundation, although at this point in time although we have signed up for the event we are yet to have this choice of charity confirmed as some communication needs to happen between the event organisers and the charity. As soon as we have this confirmed we will post more. Hopefully it won't be too long!

Rae

104 to Cowes: Why?

At this stage we have mentioned our plans to do the Isle of Wight challenge to a few people, and after 'What is that?' the next question we usually get is 'Why?!' often swiftly followed by 'are you crazy?!'. Well, yes probably, but in all seriousness, why not? When we committed to our first half marathon  about this time last year, we weren't overly convinced by the whole long distance thing. We fully intended to cross that finish line once, but we were comfortable with the 10k distance and at that stage we were of the opinion that we may well be 'bucket list' half marathoners- just there to check the box before saying never again! We remained in that frame of mind until after we'd crossed the finish line on Abersoch beach, but within 2 hours we both knew we weren't done. Obviously the logical reaction would be to find another half marathon to train for, maybe even a full marathon rather than skipping straight ahead to an ultra. For this act on complete lunacy, I blame Dave! ;) One thing I have noticed just recently, is that with these types of pursuits he just can't wait. He see's an event he wants to do and he wants to do it NOW! not next year, now! Whilst I admire his enthusiasm and drive I have also joked on many occasions that it worries me. He seems to laugh in the face of training (not entirely, he does train)  and he's much less averse than me to pushing himself beyond his comfort zone and right there onto a ledge! Unfortunately for me, I have an unhealthy sense of adventure and seem to be easily led, and so... here we are. So far we have always come out ok, and I wouldn't have considered this if I didn't believe we were capable, but at the same time I am definitely aware that this will most likely be challenging beyond anything I can even imagine.
  That said, with an ultra marathon there isn't the same pressure to race the whole way that still exists unto marathon distance. the challenge becomes more about going the distance than shaving seconds off your time, its just a different animal all together.

Rae

105 to Cowes: The Isle of Wight Challenge

The following is adapted from the event website...

The Isle of Wight challenge is a 106km double marathon across difficult and varied terrain. This is no road marathon and the running category of the challenge is classed for only those who are attempting the 106km challenge within under 16 hours. This is a tough challenge by anyone's standards. It will be physically and emotionally demanding! 

We fully intend to run as much of it as possible, although we have followed the advice of the organisers and registered as walkers. This means we are still able to run it should we choose, but we will set out later in the day after the main runners have left and will need to carry kit to enable us to run safely through the night. Doing this means we are still able to finish in 16 hours or less if, by some miracle we are able to, but we are not in a position where we HAVE to complete before nightfall or risk putting ourselves in danger. In reality we hope to finish somewhere between 16 and 24 hours. Whatever happens our first ultra marathon will be an adventure... hopefully a good one! 


Rae

106 to Cowes

   So here it is... 106 to Cowes, or more specifically 106 days (and if I can keep up with it, posts on this blog) until Dave and I set out from Cowes on the Isle of Wight to complete a 106km loop of the island on foot. I am aware that raises a lot of questions... Like why??! And there's plenty of time to answer those in 106 posts. Right now I'm not entirely sure what what will be achieved here on this blog. It has been quite some time since I have been in the habit of keeping a blog, and I'm well aware that I am no great writer, but then I don't suppose that matters. For the next 106 days this will be where I, with some help from Dave along the way, I'm sure, will keep a record of the challenge, our training and our motivation for what will be our greatest challenge to date. This is the story of our journey to Cowes to complete our first ultra-marathon on August bank holiday 2014.

Rae