Better than average

Yesterdays lack of posting on the blog had nothing to do with an inability to get downstairs or walk properly but all to do with gremlins on the interweb. So to recap, BBMC 2013 completed, heres how.

Early morning Saturday saw yours truly amongst the massed ranks of kit zombies (the ones who walk into mountaineer retailers arms outstretched to the shiny goodies, drooling must have, must have) forces wannabees (yeah you are SAS weighing in at 22 stone mate) gym rats and hikers. Eventually we got going, this is a fun, well organised event, but the start is what is technically known a ball ache, 1000 or so all heading up the same track to the first check point, all crossing the same styles at snails pace as the fat knacker (not me!) at the front decides thats the best place to stop and change their gortex jacket/retie their boots/eat pie or take in the view (you dont get this on a Wii2)before waddling out of the way wheezing and looking like they are about to test the lift capacity of the air ambulance.
When Spotty finished showboating his style crossing and everyone patted the big doggy we got off at a fair pace until 1 hour 57 minutes in I bonked. Another technical term for running out of energy. This was not good and as I had set out with the meagrest of rations due the wanting to burn off more than I consumed I was fortunate to have packed as an afterthought a lucozade which was just what the doctor would have ordered. That drunk I stumbled on and 4 hours in stopped to eat the brown whole meal organic pasta I had packed (what was I thinking?) Spotty tucked in to a fair portion making my backpack a bit lighter. 6 and a half hours in I had got to Gospel Pass, accepted a Jaffa Cake from a mountain rescue chap at the checkpoint to suppliment the second attempt to refuel on pasta and water before heading off for the last 6 miles. The last 6 were a bit of a blur, cramp on the last summit threatened to spoil the day, and major back pack malfunction saw yours truly retracing his steps salvaging his pride, gear and pasta.
Then down to the last 100ml of water I got to the final checkpoint.
The run (read stumble) towars the finish line (read plate of cakes) was uplifting as I took a standing ovation from the crowd. Spotty stuck to me like glue sitting politely by my left leg the entire time in the refreshment tent, so much so that some nice lady had to comment how well behaved he was and finding he was one of 9 Berners we have told the congregation that I was some form of animal trainer. Had to be, look at his perfectly behaved dog. I didnt put them right and no one noticed Spotty stealing from a tub of jam tarts. Or scoff an unguarded scotch egg.
Total time 9 hours, better than average, a bit off my best time but that was when I was 12 years lighter and 42 pound younger. For once I didnt think never again, and next year I'm going bacl and will do it in 7.5 hours.
Promise.
Big thank you to all who sponsored me, anyone wishing to add to the final total can using the donate button top right, put BBMC 2013 in the message box.
Many thanks to you all.