Allez Bill!

Well it is all over and what an amazing event. I am pleased to tell you that last Sunday I successfully completed the Marathon du Mont Blanc- all 26 (and a bit) miles in a time of 7:30. Thank you to everyone for your generous sponsorship and many words of encouragement- I have just about raised my target of £2,000 and I am sure there are a few people out there who still might be tempted to pledge a few pounds.

The run started at 7.00 in the picturesque town square of Chamonix, the assembled runners looked very fit indeed and all kitted out with the latest trail running gear and various hydration systems, they really looked the part. Some were using the marathon as a warm up training run for the Mont Blanc Ultra Marathon in August; a 100 mile run over the route of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc (and no I am not thinking of doing that!) However the atmosphere was relaxed and the weather was set fair, friends and family gathered to cheer us off and then headed back for their breakfast before heading to the finish many hours later to greet us as we returned.

The first third or so of the course was lovely as it headed up the valley side towards Switzerland; one of the most enjoyable stretches was passing the Col du Montet (at about 9 miles) and descending down through alpine meadows, full of wonderful flowers to a small village called Vallorcine. On the way down we came across a herd of long horned dairy cows with large alpine bells on their necks- they looked and sounded great but didn’t seem to care for sharing their meadow with a load of runners who were scattered by the cows and not the other way round. Fortunately the two guys in front of me distracted the nearest cow who nudged them off the path and I gained a couple of places!

At Vallorcine everything changed as we headed straight up over 1000m from the valley floor to the Aiguillette des Posettes via a seemingly vertical footpath. By the time I reached the top my legs knew they were in for a hard day but otherwise I felt reasonably ok and was pleased to note that I had reached the half way point in 3 hours (an hour faster than schedule). Then it was a steep, rocky and knee busting descent right back down to the valley floor again, maximum concentration was required not to trip up and go hurtling head over heels but a great respite after such a hard climb. Eventually the route crosses over itself at another small village, Tre-le-Champ were the locals greeted us with shouts of encouragement and alpine bells- it felt like we were on a stage of the Tour du France. There were a surprising number of people out along the route supporting the runners with “Courage”, “Bravo” and “Allez” and as we each had our names on our running numbers it was marvellous to be personally greeted by “Allez Bill”- which always made me smile.

By now I had done 20 miles and my official split time was 4:23 and I was feeling reasonably ok and stopped to take on some light food and more fluid. Then the nightmare began; another 1000m climb only this time the legs felt like jelly and the midday sun was beginning to cook us. The last six miles were seemingly interminable and it took me another 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete. It felt like the fuel tank was empty and I was kept going only by the determination that giving up was not an option and anyway- it was the same for everyone else around me. At 2kms from the finish I came round a bend in the track to a clear view of the flags at the arrival point and could hear the loud speaker system, the end seemed so close but my heart sank to see the path fall away below me in a steep descent only to rise up again 1km from the finish. Believe me those last 1000m as they climbed up what in the winter is a black ski run took forever. The sun was at its zenith and there was no shade- I felt as if I was undertaking some cruel French Foreign Legion punishment march!

Of course I did eventually reach the end and was delighted to get my medal and a beaker of beer and to take a few moments to recognise that the challenge was over- I had done it. Initially feelings were just of relief and exhaustion but it didn’t take long to enjoy the moment and feel proud- not just of myself but also family, friends and colleagues who had supported and encouraged me. What’s next- I am not sure except of course my ongoing passion is for the charity MacIntyre. There are a lot of fantastic personal stories of people going great things, every day, at MacIntyre and my continuing challenge is to support them to have hopes, dreams and goals.

Thank you very much

Winding down...

This time next week it will be all over; my legs will be sore and I will be able to reflect on what will surely be one of the most remarkable days of my life but the 2012 Appeal will have been launched. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me and if you haven't there is still a week to go to give me a last minute boost.

At the weekend my wife, Gina and I hiked up and around Snowdon and despite the poor weather it was a great way of winding down in preparation for the marathon. Behind me in the photograph is a rock face known as LLiwedd; the scene of many early rock climbing exploits of Britain's early pioneers who, dressed in woollen breeches and nailed leather boots carrying hemp ropes tied around their waists, climbed its convoluted and vast ramparts. The famous George Mallory climbed here in preparation for his exploratory expeditions to Everest in the 1920's and 30's- indeed some of the routes are named after him. I myself have struggled up a few routes on LLiwedd and each time it was a memorable epic with the wonderful reward of summiting on the high ridge that skirts around Snowdon. This time we made do with the hiking paths.

As an aside I was struck at the considerable numbers of people who as part of their 3 Peaks Challenge were hiking up Snowdon as their final peak. They looked tired and proud after already scaling Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike and in the pouring rain Snowdon was not going to be an easy finish. However some groups looked quite vulnerable with wholly inadequate footwear and weather proof clothing and in the poor visibility were apparently left to find their own way. If charities are going to encourage people, un accustomed to mountain environments, to raise money by undertaking such a challenge then at the very least they should make sure they are properly advised and looked after.

I fly out to the Alps on Wednesday and although I am a little nervous I can't wait to get to the start line and begin. You will see from the profile that the run is rather lumpy and finishes high. The way back down is via cable car- it is a good incentive not to reach the finish line too late otherwise there will be no option to walk all the way back down to the valley. I will try and send a blog from Chamonix to let you know how I get on and in the interim please keep those pledges and good wishes coming in.

Two weeks to go...

Two weeks to go- I can’t believe it! When I first thought of entering the Mont Blanc Marathon it was Christmas and the summer seemed such a long way away but now the marathon date, like an approaching juggernaut, suddenly looms large. I went for my final long run at the weekend; having intended to do 20 miles I ended up cutting it short to 17 because I felt so dehydrated in the heat. A bit disappointing but I shall try not to dwell on it and instead look forward to winding down a bit in preparation for race itself. A couple of short hill runs and a walk up Snowdon next weekend should see me to the start line.

I have had lots of encouragement from people which I really appreciate and recently had an email from a former colleague, Rachelle, who has encouraged me to try “Twittering”! I shall give it a go- anything to get people interested in and then perhaps engaged with the 2012 Appeal is worth a try. I am also starting to get messages from MacIntyre colleagues who are telling me about people taking up their personal challenges and starting new interests. This is great and I should love to hear more and more personal stories- in fact if you are willing I shall add one to the blog?

Tomorrow I am off to MacIntyre’s services in Leicester to meet with a new local manager, Marina, who is pioneering our “Great Interactions” project in the home she is responsible for. Good care work is not as straightforward as one might first think and people with disabilities tell us that the most important thing they want is to be supported, each day and every day, in a way that is not only respectful but also enables them to take increasing control of their own lives- no matter how small the steps. Some colleagues appear to be quite natural in the way they work with people and MacIntyre has analysed what it is that they do so others, less natural, can learn to develop their skills. Skills such as being reflective, listening, creative, observant and good communication etc tend to be the most enabling and we can all develop these within our daily work. I am looking forward to hearing from one team how the development of the quality of their interactions with the people they support has led to better outcomes for all.

So two weeks to go- still time to long on to www.justgiving.com/billmumford and pledge the odd £1 or £2!

Mountain Madness

A week ago on Cadir Idris the sun was beating down on the runners who were trying not to over hear with temperatures of over 20c at the summit. By contrast this Saturday I was struggling against sleet and driving rain and desperately trying to keep warm in a freezing wind as I set off on a long speedy hike in the Lake District. Surprisingly I didn’t meet another sole for hours! Just over seven hours later and after ascending over 7500ft and covering 23.5 miles I descended into the late afternoon sunshine of Ambleside feeling very pleased that I had persevered and had enjoyed my mountain madness. Today I feel like I have been kicked by a mule!

I have to confess that I do quite like wild countryside and wild weather; I find them invigorating and the challenge and immediacy of just putting one foot in front of the other for me is actually relaxing and clears the mind. By launching the MacIntyre 2012 Appeal I don’t expect people to find the same satisfaction as me from such perverse pleasures but I do hope that they will challenge themselves to do something active that will provide similar personal satisfaction and benefits. The idea is for each person to find something that they like doing and want to do on a regular basis that will enhance their feeling of wellbeing and hopeful provide an additional interest in their life. The funds raised from the appeal will help to support this by paying for classes, equipment, transport and membership fees etc.

Thank you to everyone for your sponsorship and good will messages- they are really appreciated, especially during those low periods when my body is telling me it is too hard to continue and my mind is trying to “make excuses”! Many people have been extraordinarily generous but don’t be put off pledging the odd fiver too. Over the remaining three weeks I want all the encouragement I can get but more importantly I want people to be thinking about their own personal challenges; how they might raise funds for the MacIntyre 2012 Appeal or even better how they might support someone with a disability to develop an active and interesting pastime.

Cader Idris Fell Race - 30 May 2009

Standing in a pen of fell runners in the central square of Dolgellau, North Wales, I had that feeling of impending doom in the pit of my stomach. I was about to participate in my first official fell run, an annual race that is run from Dolgellau to the summit of Cadir Idris and back again- 10.5 miles and nearly 3000ft of ascent. The people gathered around me were a very different breed from the normal road runners who do half marathons etc; they were older, grizzlier and leaner. There was no sign of hi-tech, smart running gear, most wore a faded club vest (indeed despite the bright sunshine many were bare chested), a pair of skimpy shorts and battered fell running shoes caked in dried mud. These were hard men and women. However everyone was very friendly but it was clear no quarter was to be given to this interloper from the low country.

Once the race got underway it was a case of falling in at the rear and hanging on, trying all the way not to let the lungs actually burst and just keep moving upwards. About two thirds of the way up the leaders had already started to come hurtling past at seemingly breakneck speed displaying amazing bravery and sure footedness. At the top a friendly marshal checked your number and politely insisted that you had to climb to the top of the rocky mound on summit and actually touch the cairn. Then it was down hill all the way; a great relief for the lungs but bad for the legs as, with far less grace and agility, I descended in the hope that I wouldn’t fall over or twist an ankle. After 2hrs 32mins I arrived back in the central square; hot, exhausted but elated- I had done it and didn’t even come last! For the record I was 203rd out of 246.

The Mont Blanc Marathon is only 4 weeks away now and as I was travelling back home I couldn’t banish the fearsome thought that I will have to do more than twice the distance and four times the height.

Ummm……I never thought it was going to be an easy challenge.

Thank you to everyone who has pledged sponsorship and sent me words of encouragement. They are very much appreciated and after the personal doubts after doing the Cadir Idris run they will play a crucial role in keeping me motivated and focused over the final month’s preparation. For those who have asked: the “young lady” in the photograph is my lovely daughter Holly. The picture was taken at the start of the infamous mountain marathon which, you may recall, was washed out in the Lakes last year and was featured on the national news. You would think I should learn!

Welcome

Welcome to the first post in my blog as I begin preparations to run the Marathon Du Mont-Blanc.

I have been persuaded by colleagues and others to launch an appeal by undertaking a personal challenge.  Therefore I will be taking part in the Mont Blanc Marathon on the 28th June.  It is a full marathon run (26.2 miles) that also climbs 12,000 feet (equivalent of 4 times up and down Snowdon) and the route will take me from the French ski town of Chamonix to the Swiss border and back.

 

I have never attempted anything quite like this before and so I am looking for encouragement and should be most grateful for your support.

I will be in training this weekend by running the Cadar Idris Fell Run on Sunday, so please check back on Monday for an update on how the day went.

Also, please feel free to contact me by emailing me at billsblog@macintyrecharity.org