Day Six: Brathay 10in10 challenge. Thoughts after a tough day in the sun

‘Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.’

(Eva Cassidy, over the rainbow – one of Penny Perkins’ all-time favourite songs)

ONE of the first half marathons I ever did was back in the late 1980s – the Paddock Wood in Kent. I remember it vividly for a number of reasons.

I had spent the previous day down in Cardiff watching a Five Nations (as then) rugby international between Wales and England. I remember little of the day, match or return home train journey but I vaguely recollect that Wales won, I didn’t know who I was by the end of the day and that I was assaulted most of the way home (verbally and physically) by my school mate Alan Perkins (six foot seven and a tiger when filled with gallons of Brains bitter).

Within six hours of going to bed (which resembled a night on a ferry in the middle of a raging Bay of Biscay)   I was up bright and breezy to compete in the Paddock Half. Alan, who had invited me to run, had conveniently been called into work – he was a transport policeman – which left me to start the race with his delightful wife Penny.

The less said about the run, the better. But I do remember thinking at mile six that I would never ever do another half marathon. At mile seven Penny waltzed past me full of the joys of spring. I think she finished the race at least 45 minutes ahead of me.

I say all this because my dear ‘brained’ friend Alan kindly donated £100 today on my website www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge. Sadly and tragically, the wonderfully kind Penny is now only with us in spirit. She died earlier this year after a fight and a half (a battle royale) with cancer.

Penny was one of the kindest individuals I have ever had the privilege to meet. She could not say a bad word about anyone (even me!)  She saw good in everyone she came into contact with and she was as sharp as they come. You underestimated Penny at your peril – she had an intellect that even Einstein would have been proud of.

I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Penny in the last hours of her life at a hospice in Hertfordshire. She was heroic to the end – and she is a hero of mine and will be for the rest of my life.

As for her children Jack (training to be an actuary) and the stunning Beccy (a budding marine biologist), they keep the Perkins flag flying proudly. If Jack makes it and becomes an actuary, he will be the first one to qualify with a sense of humour and a joie de vivre. As for Alan, he’s a man who is loyal to his friends (he’s suffered my moods for years and still comes back for more) and who is bereft at the loss of his princess.

As I ran today, struggling against all kinds of mind games and physical niggles (aching back, brick like quads, tight hamstrings) I know that Penny was watching. And as I stumbled/sprinted/hobbled over the finishing line in the disreputable time of 4.47, I smiled like a bright night star. Why? Because I know Penny would have wanted me to smile (she would have smiled herself).

More importantly, I know Penny Perkins would have been mighty proud of me for taking on such a crazy challenge and getting to the end of day six with most body parts working.

Penny, my darling, your spirit lives on. And if I get to finish the Brathay 10 in 10 on Sunday, I will do one thing. As I collapse over the finishing line, I will look upwards to the heavens and smile like crazy. FOR YOU.

Brathay 10 in 10: day six: a few thoughts ahead of the run

Day Six

I am blogging before my body is strapped up and mummified for the purposes of the Brathay10in10.

It is a beautiful day here in the Lakes. The sun is shining, there is not a cloud in the sky and the views towards the Langdales and Loughrigg are stunning and stupendous.

I feel privileged to be in God’s own country/county – Cumbria where the lambs roam free (until they are three months old) and the farmers drive their tractors as if they are latter day Nigel Mansells. And where the wild garlic teases you into grabbing the nearest frying pan and cooking a few cloves before conjuring up a scrambled egg feast.  I might well do that today if a) a farmer’s wife allows me to use her kitchen and b) I feel the urge. I will let you know.

Life is so precious. We have one chance on this God’s earth of ours. Seize it, use every moment of it and walk tall.

Thanks for supporting a tired old ginga (five foot eight and shrinking) along his journey to Sunday’s climax of the 262 mile Brathay 10in10 challenge. Everyone who has supported me along the way (donors, those who have sent messages of support), I say to you: THANK YOU.

If you fancy throwing a few pounds my way for Brathay I would be delighted: www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge.

If you fancy watching me explain my feelings about the Brathay 10in10, then visit www.cumbrialive.tv.brathay10in10. Hunt down the day five video.

If you fancy following me on tweeter (and sending me the odd tweet), please do.

To everyone, I love you. And if you have a spare weekend coming up, get your butt up to Windermere.

I dedicate this blog to Helen and Stanley Prestridge, my parents, and Joan Clarke, the only aunt I ever had (and who has stuck with me through thick and thin) To Helen, Stanley and Joan, I am running day six for you.

Day Five: Brathay 10 marathons in 10 10 days: a tribute to the late David Elms and John Dawson

‘Climbing up on Solsbury Hill

I could see the City lights

Wind was blowing, time stood still

Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe

Came in close, I heard a voice

Standing stretching every nerve

Had to listen had no choice

I did not believe the information

I just had to trust imagination

My heart going boom boom boom

Son he said grab your things

I’ve come to take you home’

(Peter Gabriel) – and dedicated to David Elms

This is an intentionally short blog after day five of the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days challenge.

It’s short not because I am tired (I am) but because I have little to say. Yes, I ran my quickest time and I enjoyed the hailstones but I have other things on my mind.

I ran today for two special people – one past and one present. And not a moment passed on the course without me thinking of them.

The first is the late David Elms – a man who made a big mark on my life and an even bigger mark on others. He was a man hewn from the proverbial rocks of Gibraltar – a man of fierce independence who called a spade a spade but had a heart of gold. He is much missed by me, much missed by my dear friend and work colleague Helen Loveless and of course much missed by all in the financial services industry.

David, I hope you are looking down and smiling at the crazy thing – Brathay 10 in 10 – I am doing and enjoyed watching a fat ginga attempt to run up hills that tractors dare not take on.

The second is John Dawson who last year ran the Brathay10in10 at the age of 73 (he also completed it in 2007). John came to cheer us on today – and to just stand in his presence for a minute provided enough inspiration to get me through the day’s physical challenge. Not only did John complete the Brathay 10in10 challenge at the age of 73 but he did it while suffering from bowel cancer. Such feats of physical endurance put everything in life into perspective.

A few little bits and pieces before I go off to be stretched and share an ice bath with the thong wearing Jim Meta.

If you fancy donating to this splendid charity, please do so via www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge

If you want to watch video footage of the Brathay10in10, visit www.cumbrialive.tc/brathay10in10

And if you fancy following my progress on twitter please do so.

Love to all.

Day Four from the battlefront that is the Brathay 10marathons in 10 days challenge

I believe in miracles
Where you from
You sexy thing
I believe in miracles
Since you came along
You sexy thing

IF anyone would have told me two years ago that I would be able to run four marathons in four days, I would have quietly pushed them in the direction of the nearest psychiatrist.
If anyone would have told me six months ago that I would be able to run four marathons in four days, and run the quickest on the fourth day, I would have taken the empty whisky bottle from their clutches and had a quiet word with the landlord.
Today, I ran the fourth marathon of the 10 marathons in 10 days challenge set by Brathay Trust in a time (4.37) three minutes faster than on the first day (4.40) and 14 minutes quicker than the day before.
OK, faster than a hedgehog, slower than an ant, but who cares. I have defied the restrictions of an ageing body and proved to myself that I have the resolve (mental as well as physical) to complete this ridiculous challenge – 262 miles in 10 days up and down some of the nastiest road undulations that you will ever care to encounter in your life.
So, I’m 104.8 miles into the Brathay 10in10 and in a perverse kind of way I am thoroughly enjoying it. Not because of the pain of pounding my feet on the highways and byways that encircle Lake Windermere.
But because of everything/everyone else:

1.     The wildlife along the route (the deer and squirrels), the livestock (sheep, sheep and more sheep) and the farmers (moody most of the time) and the pungent smell of the wild garlic.

2.     The camaraderie of the runners. I know my dear colleague Adrian Shandley has referred to us as the Foreign Legion in his latest awarding winning blog and he is spot on. We are a bunch of misfits and miscreants who are bonded by one magical thing: madness. We come from all walks of life, we come in all sizes but we fit together like a jigsaw because we are all determined to complete the Brathay10in10 challenge and raise much needed money for Brathay Trust - www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge

3.     The miracle camerawork of Martin Campbell who follows us around like a leech and takes video footage of us in our moments of despair. Check out his splendid video footage of the challenge on www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10.

4.     The miraculous hands and elbows that make up Staveley based BodyRehab. I know for a fact that if they were not there day and night for us at least four of us would be in no state to carry on. The runners owe them a huge huge thank you.

5.     The dedicated support of everyone at Brathay Trust. I cannot think of a better loving pair of individuals (welsh firebrand Alyson Knowles and solid Mac) to support the runners as they progress around the course, dishing out coffee, jaffa cakes and jelly babies with gay abandon. Aly and Mac should be knighted for the work they do to help us raise money for Brathay.

Love you all, you sexy things.
And yes, I believe in miracles.
Make my day. Make Brathay’s day. Make a child’s day. www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge

Brathay Day Three: Ready for the knacker's yard - until Sue comes to the rescue

Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust

TODAY, if I had been born a turkey, I would now be sitting on someone’s dinner table as a rather disappointing Sunday roast or have been summarily put in the freezer for another day.

Today, if I had been born a cow, I would have been put in the farmer’s cattle truck and taken off to be made into steak pie.

Today, if I had been born a chicken, I would have been plucked good and proper and put on sale at Sainsbury’s for £1.99 (plus a free bag of frozen chips).

I should have bitten the dust.

Thankfully, I am a human being (I think) and I have been saved to fight another day. This is despite the fact that: I cannot walk, I cannot go down stairs without squealing like a dog; and I scream whenever I have to lift my foot to mount a pavement.

Old age? Maybe. But in my defence I have just done three marathons (78 miles) in three days – something I have never done before. And, yes I admit, my body is struggling with the fact that it’s had to do such a ridiculous thing. More ridiculously, it’s got another 184 miles to endure over the next seven days as I attempt to complete the Brathay 10in10 challenge.

So far, I have been Mr Consistency with times of 4 hours 41 minutes, 4 hours 42 minutes and 4 hours 50 minutes. Not bad for a 53 year old ginga who drinks too much and has lost the will in life to sleep.

How do I recover from three days of pounding the fair roads of Windermere? Step forward Sue Edgar of Staveley based BodyRehab, the meanest (and best) physiotherapist to walk the streets of Kendal since Wainwright was alive. Sue is a smiling assassin. She grins, laughs and then proceeds to make you scream and your hair turn curly as she unknots every muscle in your legs and bottom.

In an hour of torture, the brutality of which has not been witnessed since Guantanamo Bay, Sue loosened my hamstrings, calves and quads and a lot more besides. She turned a man ready for the knacker’s yard into something resembling a spring chicken – but only after taking him to the edge of his life.

Sue Edgar’s hands are a modern day miracle. I trust they are insured for £1 million a hand. And her elbows are worth a fortune too. I have not seen anyone use an elbow more effectively since Don Revie’s Leeds team were causing mayhem in the old Division One.

Hopefully, I will be running tomorrow – and hopefully another one will bite the dust - and if so I will pay homage to Sue Edgar.

In the meantime visit www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10 if you want to see video footage of the Brathay 10.

If you want to keep up to date with how I am doing follow my tweets on www.twitter.com/jeff-prestridge.

And if you are feeling generous donate via www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge

One final comment.  Yesterday I described my room-mate Adrian Shandley as ‘little cock’. I would now like to take this opportunity to apologise to Adrian for calling him …. Little cock…. little cock.. little cock .. little cock… little cock.. little cock.. little cock .. little cock ……. Oh dear, it appears the keyboard is malfunctioning … little cock .. little cock!

Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days: Day 2: men of steel, card sharks and tartan pants

What a difference a day makes
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain

(with thanks to Louise Cuming)

TWENTY four hours ago I did not think that I would be able to complete the Brathay 10 in 10. Today, Saturday, a beautiful Saturday in the glorious Lake District, I jettisoned a few of my demons. Two marathons down, eight to go.

Although I didn’t exactly run like a gazelle (more like an old elephant) I felt stronger today than I did 24 hours earlier. And the result was a time just a minute or so slower than the day before. I now feel I have it within my soul – my core – to carry on and complete the Brathay 10 in 10 – 52 miles down, just 210 to go!

The last twenty four hours have been amazing. After a three month impasse my mother phoned me to tell me I was mad to do such a challenge (I knew that already but thank you mother dear). She made my day by sponsoring me on justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge although there was no accompanying note of support.

I have also been amused and humbled by some of my running colleagues. Adrian Shandley, my room partner for the duration of the 10 in 10, is a leading financial adviser but amazingly he’s amazingly hugely entertaining.

Adrian (little cock to his friends) has a second career in the offing in the form of card tricks (he would give the late Tommy Cooper a run for his money) and he has taken to calling me Cuddles. It is also a fact that he has seen more of me than any other man on earth as a result of me swinging by his head in the middle of the night to go and read downstairs. His face (in his bunk) and my groin are on the same level. As he said to me this morning: ‘I thought it was a python slivering out of the room!’

Then there is Nick, a modest man of steel who thinks nothing of running up and down a few dozen Lakeland fells at a weekend. Like me, Nick is a grumpy sod who initially is a man of few words. But break through the protective skin and you find a man with a great wit and humility. And he is running 262 miles with a hole in his heart. He’s an understated legend.

Highlights of the day?

Smelling wild garlic from start to finish (I can’t cook anything without garlic).

Going 10 minutes with the legendary Jim Meta in the ice bath. He was wearing natty tartan pants today – so natty that some Brathay children went into simultaneous trauma when he went past them on his way to the ice bath. He’s a nutter, a fantastic human being who believes that life is for living.

Being given a red wine gum by Alyson Knowles at 23 miles and being told it was the closest thing she could find to champagne (Alyson thinks I am a champagne Charlie!)

And being revived by the wonderful BodyRehab team. They are miracle workers.

Thanks for all your support, good ladies and gentlemen. I want to do all I can to raise money for this super charity. If you feel in the mood, visit justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge.

For video footage, visit www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10.

For tweets on life up in Brathay  – www.twitter.com/jeff-prestridge.

And for further details on the wonderful Brathay, visit www.brathay.org.uk

Eh, what a difference a day makes!

 .

Day One: Jim's pants, rain sun and wind and 26.2 miles of pain

‘Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.’

YESTERDAY, I was happy as Larry: the prospect of 10 days in the Lakes doing what I am quite good at - running.

Today I am half the man I thought I was because I’ve realised that I’ve got one hell of a shadow hanging over me: nine marathons in nine days around the shores of Windermere – and if my first one is anything to go by I’ve embarked upon a challenge that might be beyond me. My body is no longer the temple I thought it was.

I’ve just completed the first of my 10 (a grand total of 262 miles) and to put it mildly I didn’t shoot the lights out. I waddled my way around the undulating course like Mother Goose in her prime. Four hours and 41 minutes of mental tenacity and potential physical breakdown lurking round every corner. I survived only because I am bloody minded and a cussed old ginga!

The highlights of my first day?

1.        Watching the marvellous Jim Meta (a fellow 10in10er) emerge from the ice bath in the tightest pair of underpants I have seen in many a blue moon (movie). He reminded me of an aged rock star (Adam Ant) trying to prove to the world that he’s still got ‘it’. Jim’s pants were so tight that I proceeded to jump into the ice bath, last five minutes and then faint as soon as I got out. Although the wonderful assistants from BodyRehab said it was a result of my blood flowing from my brain to my feet I am convinced that Jim’s pants did for me.

2.       Enjoying the support of Alyson Knowles and ‘Mac’ from Brathay around the course. On many an occasion they saved me from total destruction with a cuddle (Mac does a wonderful ‘cuddle’), a banana or a cup of steaming coffee. A big big thank you to these two giants of Brathay Trust.

3.       Finishing the marathon in front of Brathay Hall to tumultuous support. I must admit I shed a tear or two - in fact I am going to shed a lot of tears over the next few days. I’m already an unstable emotional zone.

4.       Being stretched to an inch of my life by BodyRehab after my run. I never thought my legs could be bent back over my head like the guys from BodyRehab managed to do. It was more painful than being given a kick in the shins by Vinnie Jones but I feel better for it (I think!).

5.       Getting back and seeing so many emails and tweets of support for what I am doing.

Ladies and gentlemen, from the bottom of my running shorts, I cannot thank you enough for your tremendous support of Brathay Trust, especially in such difficult times. It is truly appreciated.

For those who would like to learn a little about the fantastic work that Brathay Trust does, please visit www.brathay.org.uk.

For those who would like to know more about why I am doing this 10 marathons in 10 days challenge for Brathay, please take time out to watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60UylkVK8M

For those of you who would like to follow my progress follow me on twitter at twitter.com/jeff-prestridge.

And finally, if you want to sponsor me, I would love you for life. Visit justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge.

Love you all.